Keyboard Shortcut Design
Conventions to Follow
| Action | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Cmd+S | Ctrl+S |
| Undo | Cmd+Z | Ctrl+Z |
| Redo | Cmd+Shift+Z | Ctrl+Y |
| Find | Cmd+F | Ctrl+F |
| Select all | Cmd+A | Ctrl+A |
| Copy/Cut/Paste | Cmd+C/X/V | Ctrl+C/X/V |
| Close | Cmd+W | Ctrl+W |
App-Specific Shortcuts
- Use single letters for frequent actions (in non-text contexts)
- Modifier + letter for less frequent actions
- Show shortcuts in tooltips and menus
- Command palette (Cmd+K) as discovery mechanism
Shortcut Cheat Sheet
- Accessible via Cmd+/ or ? key
- Grouped by category
- Searchable
- Shows current key bindings
Rules
- Never override browser shortcuts without very good reason
- Show shortcuts alongside menu items
- Allow customization for power users
- Document all shortcuts in a discoverable place
- Focus states must work perfectly for keyboard users