🍎 macOS System Shortcuts
Essential macOS keyboard shortcuts for power users — Finder, screenshots, system controls & more.
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System
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + Space | Spotlight search |
| ⌘ + Tab | Switch applications |
| ⌘ + Q | Quit application |
| ⌘ + H | Hide application |
| ⌘ + M | Minimize window |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc | Force quit |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + Q | Lock screen |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + Space | Emoji & symbols picker |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 3 | Screenshot (full) |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 4 | Screenshot (selection) |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 5 | Screenshot toolbar |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 3 | Screenshot (full screen) |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 4 | Screenshot (selection) |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 5 | Screenshot / record options |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + Q | Lock screen |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc | Force Quit apps |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + D | Toggle Dock visibility |
| ⌃ + ↑ | Mission Control |
| ⌃ + ↓ | App windows |
| ⌘ + Space | Spotlight Search |
Finder
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + N | New Finder window |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + N | New folder |
| ⌘ + Delete | Move to Trash |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + Delete | Empty Trash |
| ⌘ + D | Duplicate |
| ⌘ + I | Get Info |
| Space | Quick Look |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + . | Show hidden files |
| ⌘ + 1 | Icon view |
| ⌘ + 2 | List view |
| ⌘ + 3 | Column view |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + . | Show/hide hidden files |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + N | New folder |
| ⌘ + Delete | Move to Trash |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + Delete | Empty Trash |
| Space | Quick Look preview |
| ⌘ + I | Get Info |
| ⌘ + D | Duplicate |
| ⌘ + L | Create alias |
| ⌘ + 1 | Icon view |
| ⌘ + 2 | List view |
| ⌘ + 3 | Column view |
| ⌘ + 4 | Gallery view |
Text Editing
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + A | Select all |
| ⌘ + Z | Undo |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + Z | Redo |
| ⌘ + B | Bold |
| ⌘ + I | Italic |
| ⌘ + U | Underline |
| ⌥ + Delete | Delete word before cursor |
| Fn + Delete | Delete character after cursor |
| ⌘ + ← | Move to beginning of line |
| ⌘ + → | Move to end of line |
| ⌥ + ← | Move one word left |
| ⌥ + → | Move one word right |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + : | Spelling & Grammar window |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + D | Look up word definition |
| ⌘ + T | Show Fonts panel |
Window Management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + ⌃ + F | Toggle fullscreen |
| ⌘ + ` | Cycle same-app windows |
| ⌘ + N | New window |
| ⌘ + W | Close window |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + W | Close all windows |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + T | Reopen closed tab |
| F3 | Mission Control |
| ⌃ + ← | Move to left Space |
| ⌃ + → | Move to right Space |
What Is This?
- Searchable reference for macOS system shortcuts
- Covers Finder, window management, screenshots, and Spotlight
- Modifier key combinations — Cmd, Option, Control, Shift
- Organized by system function area
- Essential for macOS productivity
How to Use
- Search for specific macOS actions or key combos
- Browse shortcuts organized by function
- Review modifier key combinations — Cmd, Option, Control, Shift
- Practice shortcuts to build muscle memory
- Use this reference alongside your Mac for learning
Use Cases
- Navigating macOS more efficiently with keyboard shortcuts
- Managing windows and desktops without a mouse
- Taking screenshots and screen recordings quickly
- Learning macOS after switching from Windows
- Maximizing productivity with system-level shortcuts