hotkeys
Quick command combinations
Hotkeys are keyboard shortcuts that trigger commands or actions—single keys or combinations like Ctrl+C for copy or Alt+Tab for switching windows.
The term emphasizes speed: these are the "hot" keys you reach for without touching the mouse.
Power users customize hotkeys extensively.
Also called keyboard shortcuts or shortcut keys.
Keyboard-to-action assignments
- macrosAutomated command sequences
- combinationsUnions of separate parts
- modifiersTerms that adjust others
- altOutside the mainstream
shift · escape · mappings · assignments · triggers · sequences · chords · remapping
Sequential task progression
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- time-savingReducing required duration
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- productivityOutput relative to input
multitasking · convenience · proficiency · navigation · execution · precision · control · adaptability
Shared connection point
- inputData received for processing
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
- editingRefining content for clarity
- codingWriting software instructions
programming · gaming · Photoshop · Excel · IDE · terminal · browser · menu
Committing information to recall
- mnemonicsTechniques to assist recall
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- recallMemory retrieval act
- repetitionAct of redoing
training · cheat-sheet · tooltips · discovery · onboarding · tutorials · mastery · fluency
Providing help or aid
- screenreaderSoftware vocalizing on-screen text
- voiceoverOff-screen recorded speech
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- usabilityEase of interaction quality
ergonomics · dexterity · one-handed · navigation · accommodations · mobility
keybindings
Keyboard-to-action assignments
- macrosAutomated command sequences
- combinationsUnions of separate parts
- modifiersTerms that adjust others
alt · shift · escape · mappings · assignments · triggers · sequences · chords · remapping · defaults
workflow
Sequential task progression
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- time-savingReducing required duration
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
productivity · multitasking · convenience · proficiency · navigation · execution · precision · control · adaptability · speed
interface
Shared connection point
- inputData received for processing
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
- editingRefining content for clarity
coding · programming · gaming · Photoshop · Excel · IDE · terminal · browser · menu · toolbar
memorization
Committing information to recall
repetition · training · cheat-sheet · tooltips · discovery · onboarding · tutorials · mastery · fluency · intuition
assistive
Providing help or aid
- screenreaderSoftware vocalizing on-screen text
- voiceoverOff-screen recorded speech
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
usability · ergonomics · dexterity · one-handed · navigation · accommodations · mobility
- strategy guideswalkthrough, tips, tricks, skill tree, upgrade path
- automationautomation, macros, macro, automate, PLCs
- keyboardspiano, pianos, organ, organs, Tab
- streamingNetflix, Hulu, streaming, stream, YouTube
- settingssetting, default, settings, template, configure
- Timesaversquick fix, autopay, autofill, autocomplete, auto-reply
hotkeysmenu navigation
Moving through interface choices
dropdown menus · nested menus · context menus · menu bar · point-and-click