Productivity Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that performs a specific action. The shortcuts typically involve one or more modifier keys such as Ctrl, Alt, or Command combined with another key usually a letter, number, or punctuation symbol. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can bypass navigating through menus and dialog boxes in software applications. Tasks that would normally require multiple clicks with a mouse can be accomplished swiftly using shortcuts, and you will be less relying on mouse movements. Professionals who use keyboard shortcuts efficiently perform repetitive actions more quickly. Most software allows customization of keyboard shortcuts. Users can assign their preferred shortcuts for specific functions. Additionally, each application often has its own unique set of shortcuts. We have crafted shortcuts for most commonly used applications across multiple platforms.

Practical Notes

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Keyboard shortcuts are easiest to adopt when you focus on repeated actions instead of trying to memorize an entire application at once.

Start with frequent tasks

Learn the commands you use every hour: search, save, switch tabs, copy, paste, undo, and open command menus.

Mind the platform

The same action may use Ctrl on Windows or Linux and Command on macOS.

Practice in context

Shortcuts stick faster when you use them during real work instead of reading a list once.

Shortcut	Application	Action
`Ctrl`+`X`	MS VSCode	Cut line (empty selection)
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`K`	MS VSCode	Delete line
`Shift`+`Alt`+`→`	MS VSCode	Expand selection
`Ctrl`+`F`	MS VSCode	Find
`F3`or`Shift`+`F3`	MS VSCode	Find next/previous
`Ctrl`+`1`or`2`or`3`	MS VSCode	Focus into 1st, 2nd or 3rd editor group
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`0`	MS VSCode	Fold (collapse) all regions
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`[`	MS VSCode	Fold (collapse) all subregions
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`[`	MS VSCode	Fold (collapse) region
`Shift`+`Alt`+`F`	MS VSCode	Format document
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`F`	MS VSCode	Format selection
`Alt`+`←`or`→`	MS VSCode	Go back / forward
`Ctrl`+`Home`	MS VSCode	Go to beginning of file
`Home`or`End`	MS VSCode	Go to beginning/end of line
`F12`	MS VSCode	Go to Definition
`Ctrl`+`End`	MS VSCode	Go to end of file
`Ctrl`+`P`	MS VSCode	Go to File...
`Ctrl`+`G`	MS VSCode	Go to Line...
`F8`	MS VSCode	Go to next error or warning
`Shift`+`F8`	MS VSCode	Go to previous error or warning
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`O`	MS VSCode	Go to Symbol...
`Ctrl`+`]`or`[`	MS VSCode	Indent/outdent line
`Alt`+`Click`	MS VSCode	Insert cursor
`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`↑`or`↓`	MS VSCode	Insert cursor above / below
`Shift`+`Alt`+`I`	MS VSCode	Insert cursor at end of each line selected
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Enter`	MS VSCode	Insert line above
`Ctrl`+`Enter`	MS VSCode	Insert line below
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`\`	MS VSCode	Jump to matching bracket
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Enter`	MS VSCode	Keep preview mode editor open
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`S`	MS VSCode	Keyboard Shortcuts
`Ctrl`+`K`+`←`or`→`	MS VSCode	Move active editor group
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`PgUp`or`PgDn`	MS VSCode	Move editor left/right
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`←`or`→`	MS VSCode	Move into previous editor group
`Ctrl`+K Ctrl+`D`	MS VSCode	Move last selection to next Find match
`Alt`+`↑`or`↓`	MS VSCode	Move line up/down
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	MS VSCode	Navigate editor group history
`Ctrl`+`N`	MS VSCode	New File
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N`	MS VSCode	New window/instance
`Ctrl`+`K`then`F12`	MS VSCode	Open Definition to the side
`Ctrl`+`O`	MS VSCode	Open File...
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`V`	MS VSCode	Open Markdown preview
`Ctrl`+`K`then`V`	MS VSCode	Open Markdown preview to the side
`Ctrl`+`Tab`	MS VSCode	Open next
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	MS VSCode	Open previous
`Ctrl`+`V`	MS VSCode	Paste into active terminal
`Alt`+`F12`	MS VSCode	Peek Definition
`Ctrl`+`.`	MS VSCode	Quick Fix
`Ctrl`+`P`	MS VSCode	Quick Open, Go to File…
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`U`	MS VSCode	Remove line comment
`F2`	MS VSCode	Rename Symbol

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References