Power User • April 26, 2026

12 shortcuts that make SwiftyNotes feel like an extension of your hands

The difference between a tool and a limb is the speed of execution. Master these 12 shortcuts to achieve true writing velocity.

In SwiftyNotes, we have a rule: if you have to reach for your mouse, we've failed. Every major action in the app is mapped to a keyboard shortcut, designed to be intuitive and ergonomic.

New Note⌘ N
Command Palette⌘ ⇧ P
Toggle Dark Mode⌘ ⇧ D
Open Graph View⌘ G
Rename Current Note⌘ R
Insert Current Timestamp⌘ ⇧ T
Focus Mode (Hide Sidebar)⌘ ⇧ .
Insert Wiki-Link⌘ K
Find in Note⌘ F
Global Search⌘ ⇧ F
Toggle Checkbox⌘ L
Bold Selection⌘ B

The Command Palette (⌘⇧P)

If you only learn one shortcut, make it this one. The Command Palette is the heart of SwiftyNotes' "keyboard-first" philosophy. From here, you can run any command, switch themes, move notes between workspaces, and even trigger AI summaries—all without taking your hands off the home row.

Wiki-Links (⌘K)

Connections are the foundation of a "second brain." By hitting `⌘K`, you can instantly create a link to another note. If the note doesn't exist yet, SwiftyNotes will create it for you on the fly. It's the fastest way to build a personal knowledge graph.

Global Search (⌘⇧F)

Our search isn't just fast; it's instant. By mapping global search to `⌘⇧F`, we've made it possible to jump between distant ideas in less than a second. Combined with our FTS5-powered indexing, you'll never lose a thought again.

"Velocity isn't about rushing; it's about removing the lag between thought and action."

Mastering these shortcuts might take a few days of practice, but the payoff in cognitive bandwidth is immeasurable. When the tool disappears, all that's left is your work.