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Glyph is designed for keyboard-first workflows. All major actions have keyboard shortcuts that work across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

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Platform Conventions

Shortcuts adapt to your operating system:
  • macOS: Uses Cmd (⌘) as the primary modifier
  • Windows/Linux: Uses Ctrl as the primary modifier
In this guide:
  • Cmd/Ctrl means Cmd on macOS, Ctrl on Windows/Linux
  • Modifiers are shown in this order: Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Key
Press ? anywhere in the app to see the keyboard shortcuts help dialog.

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All Shortcuts

Here’s the complete reference of keyboard shortcuts in Glyph:

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Shortcut Categories

Control the workspace layout and panel visibility. 
// From src/lib/shortcuts/registry.ts
{
  id: "toggle-sidebar",
  shortcut: { meta: true, key: "b" },
  label: "Toggle Sidebar",
  description: "Show or hide the file tree sidebar",
  category: "navigation",
  context: "global",
}
Toggle Sidebar (Cmd+B): Shows/hides the file tree
  • Has two alternative shortcuts: Cmd+Shift+S and Cmd+\
  • Works even when no space is open
  • Preserves sidebar width when re-opened
Toggle AI Panel (Cmd+Shift+A): Shows/hides AI assistant
  • Only available when a space is open
  • Requires AI to be enabled in settings
  • Panel width is preserved between sessions

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File Operation Shortcuts

Create, save, and manage notes. New Note (Cmd+N):
  • Creates a new markdown file in the current folder
  • Opens the note in the editor immediately
  • Prompts for a filename
Open Daily Note (Cmd+Shift+D):
  • Creates or opens today’s daily note
  • Requires daily notes folder to be configured
  • Uses format: YYYY-MM-DD.md
Save Note (Cmd+S):
  • Saves the currently active editor
  • Auto-saves already happen, but this forces immediate save
  • Shows save indicator in the UI
Close Preview (Cmd+W):
  • Closes the active preview or tab
  • Does not delete the file
  • Returns focus to file tree

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Search & Command Palette Shortcuts

Quickly find files, notes, and execute commands.
The command palette (Cmd+K) is the central hub for actions in Glyph. It has two modes:
  1. Commands Mode: Lists all available commands
  2. Search Mode: Full-text search across notes
You can switch between modes using the tab selector or dedicated shortcuts.
Command Palette (Cmd+K or Cmd+Shift+P):
  • Opens command picker
  • Type to filter commands
  • Enter to execute
  • Esc to close
Search (Cmd+F):
  • Opens command palette in search mode
  • Searches note content, filenames, and tags
  • Uses hybrid search (keyword + semantic)
Quick Open (Cmd+P):
  • File-focused search mode
  • Fuzzy matches filenames
  • Recent files appear first

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Window & App Shortcuts

Manage spaces and app settings. Settings (Cmd+,):
  • Opens settings window
  • Window stays open while working
  • Changes apply immediately
Open Space (Cmd+O):
  • Shows folder picker
  • Can create new space or open existing
  • Closes current space first

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AI Assistant Shortcuts

Attach notes as context for AI conversations. Attach Current Note (Cmd+Alt+A):
  • Adds active note to AI context
  • Opens AI panel if closed
  • Appends to existing context
Attach All Open Notes (Cmd+Alt+Shift+A):
  • Adds all open tabs to AI context
  • Useful for cross-referencing multiple notes
  • Deduplicates if note already attached
// From src/components/app/AppShell.tsx
const attachContextFiles = async (paths: string[]) => {
  const unique = Array.from(
    new Set(paths.map((p) => p.trim()).filter((p) => p.toLowerCase().endsWith(".md")))
  );
  if (!unique.length) return;
  setAiPanelOpen(true);
  setTimeout(() => dispatchAiContextAttach({ paths: unique }), 0);
};

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Context-Sensitive Shortcuts

Some shortcuts only work in specific contexts:

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Global Context

Work anywhere in the app:
  • Command Palette (Cmd+K)
  • Settings (Cmd+,)
  • Toggle Sidebar (Cmd+B)
  • Search (Cmd+F)

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Space Context

Require an open space:
  • New Note (Cmd+N)
  • Quick Open (Cmd+P)
  • Daily Note (Cmd+Shift+D)
  • Toggle AI Panel (Cmd+Shift+A)

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Editor Context

Only when editor is focused:
  • Save (Cmd+S)
  • Editor-specific commands

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Customizing Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are currently not customizable. This feature is planned for a future release.
Shortcuts are defined in the source code: 
// From src/lib/shortcuts/registry.ts
export const SHORTCUTS = [
  {
    id: "new-note",
    shortcut: { meta: true, key: "n" },
    label: "New Note",
    description: "Create a new note in the current folder",
    category: "file",
    context: "space",
  },
  // ... more shortcuts
] as const;

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Shortcut Conflicts

If shortcuts conflict with your OS or other apps:
  1. macOS: System shortcuts take precedence
    • Disable in System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts
  2. Windows: Check for conflicts with Windows shortcuts
  3. Linux: Varies by desktop environment
  • Cmd+H (Hide on macOS) - not used by Glyph
  • Cmd+M (Minimize on macOS) - not used by Glyph
  • Cmd+Tab (App switcher) - handled by OS
  • Cmd+Q (Quit on macOS) - handled by OS
  • Alt+F4 (Close on Windows) - handled by OS

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Tips for Efficiency

  1. Learn the Command Palette: Cmd+K is the fastest way to any action
  2. Use Quick Open: Cmd+P to jump between notes without the mouse
  3. Master sidebar toggle: Cmd+B gives you more editor space
  4. Daily note ritual: Cmd+Shift+D to start journaling instantly
  5. AI context workflow: Cmd+Alt+Shift+A to discuss multiple notes

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Platform-Specific Key Symbols

Shortcuts display with platform-native symbols:

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macOS Symbols

  • ⌘ Cmd (Command)
  • ⌃ Ctrl (Control)
  • ⌥ Alt (Option)
  • ⇧ Shift

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Windows/Linux

  • Ctrl Control
  • Alt Alt
  • Shift Shift
  • Win Windows key (rarely used)
// From src/lib/shortcuts/platform.ts
const MODIFIER_SYMBOLS = {
  macos: { meta: "⌘", ctrl: "⌃", alt: "⌥", shift: "⇧" },
  windows: { meta: "Win", ctrl: "Ctrl", alt: "Alt", shift: "Shift" },
  linux: { meta: "Super", ctrl: "Ctrl", alt: "Alt", shift: "Shift" },
};

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Viewing Shortcuts In-App

Access the keyboard shortcuts help dialog:
  • Press ? from anywhere
  • Or use Command Palette → “Keyboard Shortcuts”
The dialog groups shortcuts by category and shows platform-appropriate symbols.