diff --git a/datashuttle/tui/custom_widgets.py b/datashuttle/tui/custom_widgets.py
index 5ab548fca..afd0d90ec 100644
--- a/datashuttle/tui/custom_widgets.py
+++ b/datashuttle/tui/custom_widgets.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     from collections.abc import Iterable
 
     from textual import events
+    from textual.events import MouseMove
     from textual.validation import Validator
 
     from datashuttle.tui.app import TuiApp
@@ -146,6 +147,15 @@ def __init__(
 
         self.mainwindow = mainwindow
 
+    def on_mouse_move(self, event: MouseMove) -> None:
+        """Handle focus for this widget.
+
+        Explicitly grab focus when mouse moves into widget so that
+        keyboard shortcuts work without having to click the folder.
+        """
+        if not self.has_focus:  # type: ignore
+            self.focus()
+
     def filter_paths(self, paths: Iterable[Path]) -> Iterable[Path]:
         """Filter out all hidden folders and files from CustomDirectoryTree display.