Keyboard Shortcuts

CommandWise is built for keyboard power users. This guide covers all keyboard shortcuts and navigation techniques to help you master the command palette.

Primary Shortcut

Opening the Command Palette

The most important shortcut - commit this to muscle memory:

Platform	Shortcut
Mac	Cmd + K
Windows	Ctrl + K
Linux	Ctrl + K

Why This Shortcut?Cmd/Ctrl + K is a standard command palette shortcut used by:

• VS Code
• Linear
• Website: https://wpcommandwise.com/
• Slack
• Many modern apps

If you use any of these apps, the muscle memory transfers perfectly!

Muscle Memory

Press this shortcut every single time you need to navigate in WordPress admin. Within a week, it becomes automatic.

Navigation Shortcuts

Once the command palette is open, use these shortcuts to navigate:

Result Navigation

Shortcut	Action
↓	Move to next result
↑	Move to previous result
Tab	Move to next result (alternative)
Shift + Tab	Move to previous result (alternative)
Home	Jump to first result
End	Jump to last result

Action Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Enter	Navigate to selected result
Escape	Close command palette
Cmd/Ctrl + K	Close command palette (toggle)

Search Behavior

• Start typing to filter results
• Use #post, #page, or #user to live search those entities

Keyboard Workflows

Basic Workflow

The fastest workflow uses only 3 keys:

1. Cmd/Ctrl + K     (Open)
2. Type search      (Filter)
3. Enter           (Navigate)

Example:

Cmd + K → "newp" → Enter

You're at "Add New Post" in under 2 seconds.

Navigation Without Arrow Keys

For ultimate speed, navigate without using arrow keys:

Technique:

1. Type specific enough search terms that your target is the first result
2. Press Enter immediately

Example:

Cmd + K → "set gen" → Enter
(Instantly at General Settings, no arrows needed)

This is the fastest possible WordPress admin navigation.

Multiple Searches

If your first search doesn't find what you want:

Cmd + K → "first search"
(Not finding it?)
Cmd/Ctrl + A → "new search"
(Select all and type over it)

Or just start typing - new characters replace the search.

Advanced Shortcuts

Power User Techniques

Menu Discovery

Explore submenus by typing parent menu names:

Cmd + K → "settings"
(See all settings pages)

Cmd + K → "tools"
(See all tools pages)

Cmd + K → "appearance"
(See all appearance pages)

Shortcut Conflicts

Resolving Conflicts

Sometimes browser or other plugin shortcuts conflict with Cmd/Ctrl + K.

Common Conflicts:

App/Browser	Conflict	Solution
Chrome	Search bar	CommandWise takes precedence in WP admin
Firefox	Focus search	CommandWise takes precedence in WP admin
Safari	No conflict	Works perfectly
Other Plugins	May conflict	Disable conflicting plugin or use admin bar

If You Have Conflicts:

1. Use the Admin Bar: Click the CommandWise icon
2. Disable conflicting plugin temporarily
3. Check browser extensions: Some extensions override shortcuts
4. Use different profile: Try in incognito/private mode

Future Updates

Customizable keyboard shortcuts are planned for the Pro version.

Platform-Specific Notes

macOS

Standard Mac Shortcuts Work:

• Cmd + A - Select all
• Cmd + C - Copy
• Cmd + V - Paste
• Cmd + Backspace - Delete word

Keyboard Focus:

• Command palette automatically focuses search input
• Tab key navigates results (not form fields)

Windows

Standard Windows Shortcuts Work:

• Ctrl + A - Select all
• Ctrl + C - Copy
• Ctrl + V - Paste
• Ctrl + Backspace - Delete word

Keyboard Focus:

• Search input automatically focused
• Escape closes palette reliably

Linux

Standard Linux Shortcuts Work: Same as Windows (Ctrl-based shortcuts)

Desktop Environment:

• Works with GNOME, KDE, XFCE
• No conflicts with system shortcuts
• Reliable focus management

Accessibility

Screen Reader Support

CommandWise is accessible for screen reader users:

Keyboard Navigation:

• All features accessible via keyboard
• No mouse required
• Proper focus management

ARIA Labels:

• Search input labeled
• Results announced
• Selection state communicated

Screen Reader Keys: Standard screen reader shortcuts work:

• Navigate by heading
• Navigate by list item
• Read current selection

High Contrast Mode

CommandWise respects Windows High Contrast Mode:

• Clear focus indicators
• Sufficient color contrast
• Visible selection state

Tips for Speed

Minimize Keystrokes

Type Less, Navigate Faster:

Instead of Typing	Type This
"add new post"	"add"
"media library"	"med"
"general settings"	"set gen"
"installed plugins"	"plug"

The Pattern:

• Use first few letters
• Skip connecting words ("the", "and", "to")
• Abbreviate common terms

Build Muscle Memory

Week 1: Learning Phase

• Always use keyboard shortcut
• Don't fall back to mouse
• Practice common navigations

Week 2: Speed Phase

• Start abbreviating searches
• Use fewer characters
• Trust fuzzy search

Week 3: Automatic Phase

• Navigate without thinking
• Fingers know the shortcuts
• Significant time savings

Week 4+: Expert Phase

• Command palette feels natural
• Can't work without it
• Share with colleagues

Common Shortcut Patterns

Memorize these high-frequency patterns:

Content:

Add Post:     Cmd/Ctrl + K → po add → Enter
New Page:     Cmd/Ctrl + K → pa add → Enter
Media:        Cmd/Ctrl + K → med → Enter

Management:

Plugins:      Cmd/Ctrl + K → plug → Enter
Themes:       Cmd/Ctrl + K → theme → Enter
Users:        Cmd/Ctrl + K → user → Enter

Settings:

General:      Cmd/Ctrl + K → set gen → Enter
Permalinks:   Cmd/Ctrl + K → perm → Enter
Reading:      Cmd/Ctrl + K → set read → Enter

Training Your Team

Teaching Others

If you're introducing CommandWise to your team:

Step 1: Show the Shortcut

"Press Cmd/Ctrl + K to open the command palette"

Step 2: Demonstrate

"Watch me navigate to Settings → General:
Cmd + K → set gen → Enter"

Step 3: Have Them Practice

"Now you try: Go to Media Library using CommandWise"

Step 4: Build Habit

"Use it every time for a week. It'll become automatic."

Quick Reference Card

Print this reference for team members:

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│   COMMAND WISE QUICK REFERENCE      │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                     │
│  Open:    Cmd/Ctrl + K              │
│  Navigate: ↑ ↓ arrows               │
│  Select:   Enter                    │
│  Close:    Escape                   │
│                                     │
│  Examples:                          │
│    "newp"    → New Post             │
│    "med"     → Media                │
│    "set gen"  → General Settings     │
│    "plug"    → Plugins              │
│                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Next Steps

Now that you know all the keyboard shortcuts:

• Usage Guide - Learn workflows and tips
• Settings - Learn about available settings
• FAQ - Find answers to common questions

Ready to learn about settings? Continue to Settings →