Use arrow keys to move blocks in canvas configured in absolute positioning mode

No, unfortunately, for such a case, the custom keymap would be the only solution. You should just get the selected component and update its style.

I have found a working solution for this as follows:

grapesjs.init({
    keymaps:  {
       defaults: {
         "ns:up" : { keys: 'up, shift+up', handler: 'moveUp' },
         "ns:down" : { keys: 'down, shift+down', handler: 'moveDown' },
         "ns:left" : { keys: 'left, shift+left', handler: 'moveLeft' },
         "ns:right" : { keys: 'right, shift+right', handler: 'moveRight' }
        }
     },
...

The commands are being added as follows:

editor.Commands.add("moveUp", { run: function(editor) { moveSelectedElement(editor, -5, "top"); }});
editor.Commands.add("moveDown", { run: function(editor) { moveSelectedElement(editor, 5, "top")}});
editor.Commands.add("moveLeft", { run: function(editor) { moveSelectedElement(editor, -5, "left")}});
editor.Commands.add("moveRight", { run: function(editor) { moveSelectedElement(editor, 5, "left")}});

The moveSelectedElements method just does the following:

function moveSelectedElement(editor, pixel, property) {
        var model    = editor.getSelected();
        var style    = model.getStyle();
        var position = style[property].replace('px','').replace(' ', ''); 
        
        // Round to nearest multiple of 5 to align to grid
        var newPosition = Math.ceil((Number(position)+Number(pixel))/5)*5
        style[property] =  newPosition + "px";
        
        model.setStyle(style);
        editor.trigger('component:toggled');
    }

However, when moving the elements with arrow keys, the canvas scrolls as well, which is the default bowser behaviour.

How can we prevent the default propagation with the keymaps (e.preventDefault())? Should this be happening automatically, or is there a way to configure that?

keymaps.add('ns:my-keymap', '⌘+s, ctrl+s', 'some-gjs-command', { // Prevent the default browser action prevent: true, });

Thanks for reporting this, @wfcheng.

Great question about Question: Use arrow keys to move blocks in canvas configured in absolute positioning mode. The recommended approach with GrapesJS is to use the event-driven API.

Start here:

1. Check the GrapesJS documentation for your specific module
2. Look for the on() event listener method
3. Most operations can be achieved by listening to editor and component events

Common patterns:

// Listen for changes
editor.on('change', () => console.log('something changed'));

// Component lifecycle
editor.on('component:mount', (c) => console.log('component ready', c));
editor.on('component:update', (c) => console.log('component updated', c));

If you're still stuck:

• Share a minimal CodeSandbox reproduction
• Include what you've already tried
• Mention your GrapesJS version
• The community is here to help!