Keyboard Shortcuts
CommandLane is designed for keyboard-first productivity. Master these shortcuts to capture and search without leaving your flow.
Global Hotkeys
These work from anywhere in Windows:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+Space | Open capture window |
Ctrl+Shift+D | Open dashboard |
Customize Hotkeys
Change these in Dashboard → Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts.
Capture Window
Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Submit capture / Execute command / Select item |
Escape | Close window (two-stage: first collapses, second closes) |
Shift+Tab | Cycle modes: Capture → Query → Chat → Launch |
Tab | Cycle through source app contexts |
↑ / ↓ | Navigate results, suggestions, commands |
Two-Stage Escape
Pressing Escape works in two stages to prevent accidental closure:
- First press: Collapses expanded content (results, chat panel)
- Second press: Closes the window
This prevents losing your work if you accidentally hit Escape.
Text Prefixes
Type these at the start of your input for quick actions:
| Prefix | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
g | Google search | g react hooks tutorial |
q | Query your entries | q tasks due today |
? | Ask AI a question | ? how do I use hooks? |
c | Direct capture | c remember to call mom |
= | Calculator | = 15% of 230 |
Calculator Mode
The = prefix activates a live calculator:
- Results appear instantly as you type
- Press
Enterto copy the result - Supports basic math:
+,-,*,/,%,^ - Supports percentages:
= 20% of 150→30
Examples:
= 2 + 2 → 4
= 100 / 4 → 25
= 15% of 200 → 30
= 2^10 → 1024
Text Expansions
Type :trigger to expand snippets:
| Trigger | Expands To |
|---|---|
:date | Current date (2025-12-04) |
:time | Current time (14:30) |
:now | Date and time |
:todo | Markdown checkbox - [ ] |
:meeting | Meeting notes template |
See Text Expansions for creating custom triggers.
Slash Commands
Type /command to execute actions:
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
/resume | Resume previous chat conversation |
/snippet list | List all text expansions |
/snippet add :trigger "text" | Add new expansion |
See Slash Commands for creating custom commands.
Mode-Specific Shortcuts
Capture Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Save entry |
Ctrl+Enter | Save as decision |
| Type normally | Auto-classifies as task or note |
Query Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Execute search query |
↑ / ↓ | Navigate results |
| Click result | View details |
Chat Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Send message |
Shift+Enter | New line (multi-line input) |
/resume | Show conversation history |
Launch Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Type app name | Filter applications |
Enter | Launch selected app |
↑ / ↓ | Navigate app list |
Dashboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+D | Open/close dashboard |
Escape | Close dashboard |
Task Management
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| Change status | Click status dropdown or use keyboard |
| Delete task | Click delete icon |
| Search | Type in search box (300ms debounce) |
Autocomplete Navigation
When suggestions appear (expansions, commands, apps):
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
↑ / ↓ | Move selection |
Enter | Accept selection |
Escape | Dismiss suggestions |
| Keep typing | Filter suggestions |
Quick Reference Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ GLOBAL ║
║ Ctrl+Shift+Space Open capture ║
║ Ctrl+Shift+D Open dashboard ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ CAPTURE WINDOW ║
║ Shift+Tab Cycle modes ║
║ Tab Cycle contexts ║
║ Enter Submit / Select ║
║ Escape Close (two-stage) ║
║ ↑ / ↓ Navigate ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ TEXT PREFIXES ║
║ g query Google search ║
║ q query Search entries ║
║ ? question Ask AI ║
║ c text Direct capture ║
║ = expression Calculator ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ TRIGGERS ║
║ :trigger Text expansion ║
║ /command Slash command ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝