Optimizing the Keyboard Experience

Keyboard shortcuts

While coding on windows, I realized that my efficiency is bad because of how I rely on the mouse to open, switch, close tabs, navigate and such. Since we are all about efficiency (making the best out of the little time we have all day) it’s time to list out and integrate into our everyday workflow keyboard shortcuts that are useful for everyday work.

The goal is to not use the mouse the whole day, and gradually remove reliance on mouse, except when playing No Man’s Sky!

Windows Shortcuts

Tabbing:

• alt + tab : next tab window
• alt + tab + shift : prev tab window
• alt + tab + arrows : shift between tabs

• alt + tab + del : close tab window

• Win + : open pinned icons on taskbar
• Win + arrows : move windows across displays
• win + shift + arrow : move windows across separate displays

Opening Apps:

• ctrl + shift + esc : task manager
• win + I : open settings
• win + E : open file explorer

Run Programs:

• win + r : open run box
  • powershell
  • cmd

Windows + X:

• win + X + n : open settings
• win + X + i : open terminal
• win + X + e : open file explorer

Misc:

• win + shift + s : snipping tool
• win + . : emoji tool
• alt + f4 : force close program

Chrome Shortcuts

General:

• ctrl + n : new window
• ctrl + t : new tab
  • ctrl + shift + T : open closed tab
• ctrl + w : close tab
• ctrl + l -> alt + enter : jump to url bar, duplicate current tab
• alt + left/right arrow : prev page / next page

Navigating tabs:

• ctrl + tab: next tab
• ctrl + shift + tab: previous tab OR
• ctrl + pgup/pgdown: next / previous tab

Searching:

• ctrl + l : jump to url bar
• ctrl + k : jump to url bar, search with google
• / : jump to search bar

Pages:

• ctrl + r : reload current page
• ctrl + + : zoom in
• ctrl + - : zoom out
• ctrl + 0 : default size
• tab: jump to next interactive button
• shift + tab: jump to previous interactive button

VS Code Shortcuts

GeneraL:

• ctrl + s : save file
• ctrl + pgUp / pgDown : switch terminals
• alt + arrow : navigate terminal in split plane configuration

Views:

• ctrl + shift + e : show explorer shortcut key
• ctrl + 1 : focus on code window
• ctrl + ` : open/close command line terminal

Tabbing:

• ctrl + Tab : switch between editor tabs
• ctrl + p : open new file
• ctrl + pgUp/Down : Go to next or previous open tab.

Similar to Chrome!!

• ctrl + W : Close tab
• ctrl + p : open tab (search file)

Selecting:

• ctrl + L : select line
• ctrl + a : select all

Manipulating Lines

• alt + Up/Down Arrow : Move current selection of line(s) up/down.
• alt + shift + up/down Arrow : Duplicate selection up / down.

Searching:

• ctrl + P : Files Fuzzy Search
• ctrl + T : Find Symbol across project (Class, function, property)
• ctrl + F : Find in file

Navigating Code:

• ctrl + K -> ctrl + L : Expand / Collapse current code block
• ctrl + K -> ctrl + 1/2/3 : Collapse Code Blocks at indentation level
• ctrl + K -> ctrl + J : Expand All Code Blocks