diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cc3d68f..d460eaf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ recall
 |-----|--------|
 | `↑↓` | Navigate sessions |
 | `Pg↑/↓` | Scroll messages |
-| `Space` | Expand message |
+| `Ctrl+E` | Expand message |
 | `Enter` | Resume conversation |
 | `Tab` | Copy session ID |
 | `/` | Toggle scope (folder/everywhere) |
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index fe9a437..251a4ed 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -221,7 +221,9 @@ fn run(terminal: &mut tui::Tui, app: &mut App) -> Result<()> {
                     KeyCode::PageUp => app.focus_prev_message(),
                     KeyCode::PageDown => app.focus_next_message(),
                     KeyCode::Backspace => app.on_backspace(),
-                    KeyCode::Char(' ') => app.toggle_focused_expansion(),
+                    KeyCode::Char('e') if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => {
+                        app.toggle_focused_expansion();
+                    }
                     KeyCode::Char('/') => app.toggle_scope(),
                     KeyCode::Char(c) => app.on_char(c),
                     _ => {}
diff --git a/src/ui.rs b/src/ui.rs
index 9b28224..6318fb8 100644
--- a/src/ui.rs
+++ b/src/ui.rs
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ fn render_status_bar(frame: &mut Frame, app: &App, area: Rect) {
                 Span::styled(" message ", label),
             ]);
         }
-        // Show Space expand/collapse hint if terminal is wide enough and message is expandable
+        // Show Ctrl+E expand/collapse hint if terminal is wide enough and message is expandable
         if area.width > 110 && app.focused_message_expandable {
             // Check if focused message is currently expanded
             let is_expanded = if let Some(result) = app.selected_result() {
@@ -537,7 +537,7 @@ fn render_status_bar(frame: &mut Frame, app: &App, area: Rect) {
             let action = if is_expanded { " collapse " } else { " expand " };
             spans.extend([
                 Span::styled(" │ ", dim),
-                Span::styled(" Space ", keycap),
+                Span::styled(" ^E ", keycap),
                 Span::styled(action, label),
             ]);
         }