Keyboard Shortcuts

Glyph is designed for keyboard-first workflows on macOS.

macOS Conventions

In this guide:

• Cmd means the Command key (⌘)
• Modifiers are shown in this order: Cmd + Alt + Shift + Key

All Shortcuts

Here’s the complete reference of keyboard shortcuts in Glyph:

Shortcut Categories

Navigation Shortcuts

Control the workspace layout and panel visibility.

// From src/lib/shortcuts/registry.ts
{
  id: "toggle-sidebar",
  shortcut: { meta: true, key: "b" },
  label: "Toggle Sidebar",
  description: "Show or hide the file tree sidebar",
  category: "navigation",
  context: "global",
}

Toggle Sidebar (Cmd+B): Shows/hides the file tree

• Has two alternative shortcuts: Cmd+Shift+S and Cmd+\
• Works even when no space is open
• Preserves sidebar width when re-opened

Toggle AI Panel (Cmd+Shift+A): Shows/hides AI assistant

• Only available when a space is open
• Requires AI to be enabled in settings
• Panel width is preserved between sessions

File Operation Shortcuts

Create, save, and manage notes.

New Note (Cmd+N):

• Creates a new markdown file in the current folder
• Opens the note in the editor immediately
• Prompts for a filename

Open Daily Note (Cmd+Shift+D):

• Creates or opens today’s daily note
• Requires daily notes folder to be configured
• Uses format: YYYY-MM-DD.md

Save Note (Cmd+S):

• Saves the currently active editor
• Auto-saves already happen, but this forces immediate save
• Shows save indicator in the UI

Close Preview (Cmd+W):

• Closes the active preview or tab
• Does not delete the file
• Returns focus to file tree

Search & Command Palette Shortcuts

Quickly find files, notes, and execute commands.

Command Palette (Cmd+K or Cmd+Shift+P):

• Opens command picker
• Type to filter commands
• Enter to execute
• Esc to close

Search (Cmd+F):

• Opens command palette in search mode
• Searches note content, filenames, and tags
• Uses hybrid search (keyword + semantic)

Quick Open (Cmd+P):

• File-focused search mode
• Fuzzy matches filenames
• Recent files appear first

Window & App Shortcuts

Manage spaces and app settings.

Settings (Cmd+,):

• Opens settings window
• Window stays open while working
• Changes apply immediately

Open Space (Cmd+O):

• Shows folder picker
• Can create new space or open existing
• Closes current space first

AI Assistant Shortcuts

Attach notes as context for AI conversations.

Attach Current Note (Cmd+Alt+A):

• Adds active note to AI context
• Opens AI panel if closed
• Appends to existing context

Attach All Open Notes (Cmd+Alt+Shift+A):

• Adds all open tabs to AI context
• Useful for cross-referencing multiple notes
• Deduplicates if note already attached

// From src/components/app/AppShell.tsx
const attachContextFiles = async (paths: string[]) => {
  const unique = Array.from(
    new Set(paths.map((p) => p.trim()).filter((p) => p.toLowerCase().endsWith(".md")))
  );
  if (!unique.length) return;
  setAiPanelOpen(true);
  setTimeout(() => dispatchAiContextAttach({ paths: unique }), 0);
};

Context-Sensitive Shortcuts

Some shortcuts only work in specific contexts:

Global Context

Work anywhere in the app:

• Command Palette (Cmd+K)
• Settings (Cmd+,)
• Toggle Sidebar (Cmd+B)
• Search (Cmd+F)

Space Context

Require an open space:

• New Note (Cmd+N)
• Quick Open (Cmd+P)
• Daily Note (Cmd+Shift+D)
• Toggle AI Panel (Cmd+Shift+A)

Editor Context

Only when editor is focused:

• Save (Cmd+S)
• Editor-specific commands

Customizing Shortcuts

Shortcuts are defined in the source code:

// From src/lib/shortcuts/registry.ts
export const SHORTCUTS = [
  {
    id: "new-note",
    shortcut: { meta: true, key: "n" },
    label: "New Note",
    description: "Create a new note in the current folder",
    category: "file",
    context: "space",
  },
  // ... more shortcuts
] as const;

Shortcut Conflicts

If shortcuts conflict with macOS or another app:

1. macOS system shortcuts take precedence
2. Check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts
3. Avoid remapping common app-level shortcuts unless necessary

Tips for Efficiency

1. Learn the Command Palette: Cmd+K is the fastest way to any action
2. Use Quick Open: Cmd+P to jump between notes without the mouse
3. Master sidebar toggle: Cmd+B gives you more editor space
4. Daily note ritual: Cmd+Shift+D to start journaling instantly
5. AI context workflow: Cmd+Alt+Shift+A to discuss multiple notes

macOS Key Symbols

Shortcuts display with macOS-native symbols:

• ⌘ Cmd (Command)
• ⌃ Ctrl (Control)
• ⌥ Alt (Option)
• ⇧ Shift

// From src/lib/shortcuts/platform.ts
const MODIFIER_SYMBOLS = {
  macos: { meta: "⌘", ctrl: "⌃", alt: "⌥", shift: "⇧" },
  windows: { meta: "Win", ctrl: "Ctrl", alt: "Alt", shift: "Shift" },
  linux: { meta: "Super", ctrl: "Ctrl", alt: "Alt", shift: "Shift" },
};