# macOS Keyboard Shortcuts

Modifier symbols: `⌘` Command, `⌥` Option, `⌃` Control, `⇧` Shift, `⌫` Delete, `↩` Return, `⎋` Esc. Most system shortcuts are `⌘`-based; the exceptions are noted.

## Essentials

| Keys | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `⌘ C / ⌘ V / ⌘ X` | copy / paste / cut |
| `⌘ Z / ⇧ ⌘ Z` | undo / redo |
| `⌘ A` | select all |
| `⌘ F` | find in the current app |
| `⌘ Space` | Spotlight search |
| `⌘ Tab` | switch between apps |
| `` ⌘ ` `` | cycle windows of the current app |
| `⌃ ⌘ Space` | emoji & symbol picker |

## Windows & Apps

| Keys | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `⌘ N / ⌘ T` | new window / new tab |
| `⌘ W / ⌘ Q` | close window / quit app |
| `⌘ M` | minimize window |
| `⌘ H / ⌥ ⌘ H` | hide app / hide all others |
| `⌥ ⌘ ⎋` | Force Quit dialog |
| `⌃ ↑` | Mission Control |
| `⌃ → / ⌃ ←` | move one Space right / left |
| `⌃ ⌘ F` | toggle full screen |

## Editing Text

| Keys | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `⌘ ← / ⌘ →` | jump to start / end of line |
| `⌥ ← / ⌥ →` | move one word left / right |
| `⌘ ↑ / ⌘ ↓` | jump to start / end of document |
| `⌥ ⌫` | delete the previous word |
| `⌘ ⌫` | delete to the start of the line |
| `fn ⌫` | forward delete |
| `⌃ K` | delete to end of line (Emacs-style) |

## Screenshots & Screen

| Keys | Captures |
| --- | --- |
| `⇧ ⌘ 3` | the entire screen |
| `⇧ ⌘ 4` | a selection you drag |
| `⇧ ⌘ 4 then Space` | a specific window |
| `⇧ ⌘ 5` | the capture & screen-record toolbar |
| `⌃ ⌘ Q` | lock the screen |

> **Hold ⌃ to copy instead of save.** Add `⌃` (Control) to any screenshot shortcut — e.g. `⌃ ⇧ ⌘ 4` — and the capture goes to the clipboard instead of a file on the Desktop.

## Finder

| Keys | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `⇧ ⌘ N` | new folder |
| `⌘ ⌫` | move selection to Trash |
| `⌘ I` | Get Info |
| `⌘ D` | duplicate |
| `Space` | Quick Look preview |
| `⇧ ⌘ .` | show / hide hidden files |
| `⇧ ⌘ G` | go to a folder path |