> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gridshift.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cursor, Playhead and Loop

> The timeline has three positions: the edit cursor, where things you create and paste land; the playhead, where you are hearing; and the loop, the stretch that repeats. Playback always starts from the edit cursor.

## The edit cursor

The **edit cursor** is a short vertical line on one track: a time and a track together. Click an empty spot on the timeline to put it there, or move it with the arrow keys, `←` / `→` one grid step and `↑` / `↓` one track. Hold `⌘` to click it onto a clip.

It is where your next action lands. `Return` creates a clip at the cursor on its track, `⌘V` pastes there, `⌘E` splits at it, and step recording writes notes there and moves it on one grid step. `⇧→` and `⇧←` stretch it into a range, a **marquee**, that commands then act on. Every key: [Timeline Shortcuts](/shortcuts/timeline.md).

## The playhead

The **playhead** is the line that moves through the song while it plays, across every track. The transport bar shows its position in bars and beats and in minutes and seconds. Click the ruler to move it; during playback, playback jumps there and carries on.

## How they work together

* **Play starts from the edit cursor.** `Space` plays from the cursor and stops where you are; the next `Space` starts from the cursor again, so you hear the same passage while you work on it.
* **Moving the cursor moves the playhead to it** while the transport is stopped, and clicking the ruler moves the cursor's time there too.
* **`⇧Space` plays from the selection**: the start of the selected clip or note.
* **Command Palette → Go to Beginning** puts both at bar 1.

## The loop

The **loop** is the stretch between the two braces in the ruler. While it is on, playback repeats it. With the transport stopped, the edit cursor travels with the loop as you move it. Setting it, steering, doubling and halving it, and locators: [Loop and Locators](/arrange/loop-and-locators.md).

Loop recording layers takes on each pass: [Record MIDI](/record/record-midi.md).


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