Skip to main content
Scratch is designed to be keyboard-first. This reference covers all available keyboard shortcuts, organized by category.
On macOS, use Cmd for the modifier key. On Windows and Linux, use Ctrl instead.
Quickly navigate between notes, settings, and UI elements.
ShortcutAction
Cmd+POpen command palette
Cmd+Shift+FSearch notes
Cmd+,Open settings
Cmd+\Toggle sidebar
Cmd+WClose window
↑ / ↓Navigate note list (when focused)
Cmd+=Zoom in
Cmd+-Zoom out
Cmd+0Reset zoom

​
Notes

Create, manage, and reload notes.
ShortcutAction
Cmd+NCreate new note
Cmd+RReload current note
Use Cmd+R to pull in external changes made by other editors or AI agents.

​
Editor

Formatting, links, and editor-specific features.
ShortcutAction
Cmd+BBold
Cmd+IItalic
Cmd+KAdd or edit link
Cmd+FFind in current note
Cmd+Shift+COpen Copy & Export menu
Cmd+Shift+MToggle Markdown source
Cmd+Shift+EnterToggle Focus mode
/Slash commands (at start of line)

​
Markdown Source Mode

Toggle between WYSIWYG and raw markdown with Cmd+Shift+M. In source mode:
  • Edit raw markdown directly
  • Toggle back to WYSIWYG to see rendered output
  • Changes sync bidirectionally

​
Focus Mode

Enter distraction-free writing with Cmd+Shift+Enter:
  • Sidebar fades out
  • Toolbar hides automatically
  • Content becomes full-width
  • Animated transitions

​
Slash Commands

Type / at the start of a line to open the slash command menu:
CommandInserts
/h1 - /h6Headings (levels 1-6)
/pParagraph
/ulBulleted list
/olNumbered list
/taskTask list
/codeCode block
/quoteBlockquote
/tableTable
/hrHorizontal rule
Slash commands only work at the start of a new line. Use arrow keys or type to filter, then Enter to insert.

​
Settings

Quickly jump to settings tabs when settings are open.
ShortcutAction
Cmd+1Go to General settings
Cmd+2Go to Appearance settings
Cmd+3Go to Shortcuts settings
Cmd+4Go to About settings

​
Copy & Export

Press Cmd+Shift+C to open the Copy & Export menu, then use number keys:
KeyFormat
1Copy as Markdown
2Copy as Plain Text
3Copy as HTML
4Export as PDF
When the link editor is open (Cmd+K):
ShortcutAction
EnterSave link
EscCancel
Cmd+Shift+BackspaceRemove link
Type [[ to open wikilink autocomplete:
  • Start typing to filter notes
  • ↑ / ↓ to navigate suggestions
  • Enter to select and insert link
  • Esc to cancel

​
Find in Note

When Find is active (Cmd+F):
ShortcutAction
EnterNext match
Shift+EnterPrevious match
EscClose find

​
Command Palette

When command palette is open (Cmd+P):
ShortcutAction
Type to searchFilter notes and commands
↑ / ↓Navigate results
EnterSelect
EscClose
Available Commands:
  • Edit with Claude
  • Edit with Codex
  • Toggle sidebar
  • Toggle theme
  • Search notes
  • Open settings
  • All recent notes

​
Context Menus

​
Note List Context Menu

Right-click any note in the sidebar:
  • Rename - Edit note title
  • Delete - Move note to trash
  • Reveal in Finder/Explorer - Show file in file manager

​
Table Context Menu

Right-click inside a table in the editor:
  • Insert Row Above/Below
  • Insert Column Left/Right
  • Delete Row/Column
  • Merge Cells
  • Split Cell

​
Editor Formatting Bar

Hover over text to reveal the floating format bar:
ButtonShortcutAction
BCmd+BBold
ICmd+IItalic
`-Inline code
H-Heading (dropdown)
•-Bulleted list
1.-Numbered list
☑-Task list
”-Blockquote
</>-Code block
≡-Table
—-Horizontal rule
-Clear formatting
🔗Cmd+KLink

​
Special Keys

​
Platform-Specific Modifiers

PlatformModifier Key
macOSCmd (⌘)
WindowsCtrl
LinuxCtrl

​
Common Key Symbols

SymbolKey
⌘Command (Cmd)
⌃Control (Ctrl)
⇧Shift
⌥Option (Alt)
⏎Enter/Return
⎋Escape
⌫Backspace/Delete

​
Tips for Efficient Navigation

Cmd+P opens the command palette, which combines:
  • Note search with fuzzy matching
  • Quick actions (toggle sidebar, theme, etc.)
  • AI editing commands
  • Recent notes
It’s the fastest way to navigate and execute commands.
When the sidebar is focused:
  • ↑/↓ to navigate notes
  • Enter to open selected note
  • Start typing to search
No mouse needed for note switching.
Common workflows:
  • Cmd+N → Type title → Start writing (new note)
  • Cmd+Shift+F → Search → Enter (find and open)
  • Cmd+K → Paste URL → Enter (quick link)
  • Cmd+Shift+M → Edit markdown → Cmd+Shift+M (source mode round-trip)
Cmd+Shift+Enter hides all UI chrome:
  • Full-width content
  • No distractions
  • Animated transitions
Toggle again to restore UI.

​
Customization

Keyboard shortcuts in Scratch are currently not customizable. The shortcuts are designed to match common conventions:
  • macOS: Follows standard macOS app patterns
  • Windows/Linux: Uses Ctrl-based equivalents
Future versions may include shortcut customization.

​
Learning Path

​
Essential Shortcuts (Start Here)

Learn these first for basic productivity:
  1. Cmd+P - Command palette
  2. Cmd+N - New note
  3. Cmd+K - Add link
  4. Cmd+F - Find in note
  5. Cmd+\ - Toggle sidebar

​
Intermediate Shortcuts

Once comfortable with essentials:
  1. Cmd+Shift+C - Copy & Export
  2. Cmd+Shift+M - Markdown source
  3. Cmd+Shift+F - Search notes
  4. / - Slash commands
  5. [[ - Wikilinks

​
Advanced Shortcuts

For power users:
  1. Cmd+Shift+Enter - Focus mode
  2. Cmd+1/2/3/4 - Settings tabs
  3. Cmd+R - Reload note
  4. Cmd+=/-/0 - Zoom controls
  5. Context menus (right-click)

​
Accessibility

All features in Scratch are accessible via keyboard:
  • Tab navigation works throughout the UI
  • Modal dialogs support Escape to close
  • Form inputs support standard keyboard entry
  • Dropdown menus navigate with arrow keys
  • No mouse-only features
Scratch is designed to be fully usable without a mouse. If you find a feature that requires mouse interaction, please report it as an accessibility issue.

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us