Essential shortcuts
These shortcuts work system-wide, from any application:| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cmd+Shift+J | Launch jo | Opens the jo query window from anywhere. Your cursor is ready to type immediately. |
| Cmd+Shift+Space | Quick query | Opens jo with your current selection pre-filled (works in most apps). |
| Esc | Close jo | Dismisses the jo window and returns focus to your previous app. |
| Cmd+, | Open settings | Opens jo Settings panel to manage preferences, permissions, and cloud models. |
Within the jo window
These shortcuts work when the jo query window is open:Query and navigation
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Enter | Submit query | Sends your question to jo. |
| Shift+Enter | New line | Adds a line break within your query (for multi-line questions). |
| Cmd+K | Clear query | Clears the current query text. |
| Cmd+L | Focus query field | Returns cursor to the query input (from anywhere in the window). |
| Up Arrow | Previous query | Cycles through your recent queries (like terminal history). |
| Down Arrow | Next query | Cycles forward through query history. |
Response actions
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cmd+C | Copy response | Copies the entire response text to clipboard. |
| Cmd+Shift+L | Copy source link | Copies the file path or source reference for the answer. |
| Cmd+O | Open source | Opens the source file, email, or note that jo referenced. |
| Cmd+E | Enhance with cloud | Sends the query to a cloud model for a more detailed response. |
Result navigation
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tab | Next result | Moves focus to the next search result or source reference. |
| Shift+Tab | Previous result | Moves focus to the previous result. |
| Cmd+1-9 | Jump to result | Jumps directly to result 1-9 in the list. |
| Cmd+[ | Back | Goes back to previous query results. |
| Cmd+] | Forward | Goes forward in query history. |
Advanced shortcuts
Cloud model invocation
Quickly call specific cloud models with keyboard shortcuts:| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cmd+Shift+G | Call GPT | Sends the current query to GPT-5.2 instead of local model. |
| Cmd+Shift+C | Call Claude | Sends the query to Anthropic Claude. |
| Cmd+Shift+M | Call Gemini | Sends the query to Google Gemini. |
| Cmd+Shift+X | Call Grok | Sends the query to xAI Grok. |
These shortcuts only work if you’ve connected the respective cloud model in Settings > Cloud Models.
Quick filters
Narrow your search scope with filter shortcuts:| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cmd+Shift+E | Email only | Limits the query to Mail content only. |
| Cmd+Shift+N | Notes only | Searches only Apple Notes. |
| Cmd+Shift+F | Files only | Searches only local files and documents. |
| Cmd+Shift+P | Photos only | Searches only the Photos app. |
| Cmd+Shift+B | Browser only | Searches only browsing history and bookmarks. |
| Cmd+Shift+A | All sources | Removes any active filters (default behavior). |
Power user shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cmd+Shift+H | Query history | Opens a panel showing all your recent queries. |
| Cmd+Shift+S | Save snippet | Saves the current response as a snippet for reuse. |
| Cmd+Shift+R | Refresh index | Triggers a manual re-index of your data (useful after importing many files). |
| Cmd+Shift+D | Debug mode | Opens debug information panel (shows query processing details). |
Customizing shortcuts
You can customize most jo shortcuts to match your workflow:Select shortcut to change
Click on any shortcut in the list. The field highlights and shows “Press new shortcut…”
Press your new shortcut
Type your desired key combination. jo warns you if it conflicts with system shortcuts or other jo shortcuts.
Recommended custom shortcuts
Here are popular customizations from the jo community:Hyper key setup
Hyper key setup
If you use a hyper key (Caps Lock remapped to Cmd+Ctrl+Option+Shift), try:
- Hyper+J: Launch jo
- Hyper+H: Query history
- Hyper+S: Settings
Minimal shortcuts
Minimal shortcuts
For a clutter-free shortcut experience:
- Cmd+J: Launch jo (disable only if you don’t use “Jump to Selection” in other apps)
- Cmd+Shift+J: Quick query
- Disable all other custom shortcuts and use mouse/menu for rare actions
Vim-style navigation
Vim-style navigation
Shortcut conflicts and resolution
Common conflicts
These macOS and app shortcuts may conflict with jo defaults:| Conflict | Affected Shortcut | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlight | Cmd+Space | Keep Spotlight or reassign jo to Cmd+Shift+J |
| Alfred/Raycast | Cmd+Space | Use Cmd+Option+Space for jo |
| Keyboard Maestro | Various | Check for conflicts in Keyboard Maestro preferences |
| VS Code | Cmd+Shift+C (Copy Path) | Disable jo’s “Copy source link” shortcut |
| Chrome/Safari | Cmd+Shift+B (Bookmarks) | Use filters via query prefix instead (e.g., “browser: my query”) |
Resolving conflicts
Identify the conflict
macOS doesn’t always warn about conflicts. If a shortcut isn’t working, check if another app uses it:
- Open System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts
- Review app-specific shortcuts in the Apps section
Accessibility shortcuts
jo supports macOS accessibility features:| Feature | How to Enable | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Control | System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control | Control jo entirely by voice with commands like “Press Cmd Space”, “Type my query”, “Click Submit” |
| Full Keyboard Access | System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Navigation | Navigate all jo UI elements with Tab and arrow keys |
| Sticky Keys | System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard | Press modifier keys sequentially instead of simultaneously (e.g., Cmd, then Space) |
| Slow Keys | System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard | Adds delay before accepting keypresses (reduces accidental shortcuts) |
Quick reference card
Here’s a printable cheat sheet of the most essential shortcuts:Launch & Basic
- Cmd+Space — Launch jo
- Cmd+Shift+Space — Quick query with selection
- Enter — Submit query
- Esc — Close jo
Navigation
- Up/Down — Previous/next query from history
- Tab/Shift+Tab — Next/previous result
- Cmd+[/] — Back/forward in history
Actions
- Cmd+O — Open source file
- Cmd+E — Enhance with cloud
- Cmd+C — Copy response
- Cmd+K — Clear query
Settings
- Cmd+, — Open settings
- Cmd+Shift+H — Query history
Pro tips
Chain shortcuts for speed
Chain shortcuts for speed
Combine shortcuts to work faster:
- Cmd+Space → type query → Enter → Cmd+O (launch jo, ask question, open result)
- Cmd+Shift+Space → Cmd+Shift+G → Enter (quick query with selection, send to GPT)
- Up → Cmd+E (recall last query, enhance with cloud)
Use query history liberally
Use query history liberally
Up Arrow cycles through recent queries. Use it to:
- Re-run queries after updating files
- Refine previous questions
- Compare local vs. cloud responses (run same query with Cmd+Shift+G)
Master the quick filters
Master the quick filters
Quick filters (Cmd+Shift+E/N/F/P/B) dramatically speed up searches when you know the source type:
- Looking for an email? Cmd+Shift+E first, then query
- Need a file? Cmd+Shift+F narrows it down
- Searching photos? Cmd+Shift+P is faster than scrolling
Create text expansion shortcuts
Create text expansion shortcuts
Use macOS Text Replacement or tools like TextExpander for common queries:
;prep→ “Prep me for my next meeting”;emails→ “Show me unread emails from today”;find→ “Where’s that file about”
Next steps
Now that you know jo’s shortcuts:Your first queries
Put your new shortcuts to use with effective queries
Managing permissions
Control what data jo can access on your Mac