Desktop · Use
Native shortcuts
The browser blocks a handful of shortcuts that the desktop app can intercept (Cmd+T, Cmd+W, Cmd+1..9). The desktop app also supports global activation from anywhere on your system. Both lists below.
Global (works anywhere on your system)
Available even when Dock isn't the frontmost app. Requires Accessibility permission on macOS, no special permission on Windows / Linux.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Focus Dock from anywhere | Cmd+Opt+Shift+D (macOS) / Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D (Win, Linux) |
| Quick-add row to active workspace | Cmd+Opt+Shift+N |
| Open ⌘K from anywhere | Cmd+Opt+Shift+K |
Browser-blocked (now work in desktop)
These combos are reserved by browsers and can't be intercepted from the web app. The desktop app handles them natively.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New surface (tab) | Cmd+T (web alias: Cmd+Shift+T) |
| Close surface | Cmd+W |
| Jump to Nth surface | Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 |
Standard (work everywhere, web + desktop)
These work in the browser too, listed here for completeness:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle sidebar | Cmd+\ |
| Search anywhere (⌘K) | Cmd+K |
| Next surface | Cmd+Opt+→ |
| Prev surface | Cmd+Opt+← |
Customizing
Global shortcuts are reconfigurable in Settings → Desktop → Global shortcuts. Per-surface shortcuts (web-app standard) aren't customizable yet; if a default conflicts with another tool you depend on, file a support ticket.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the keyboard shortcuts in Dock?
- Cmd-K (search), Cmd-/ (cheatsheet), Cmd-Shift-N (new workspace), Cmd-N (new row in current table), Cmd-Enter (commit row inline edit), Esc (cancel edit). Plus arrow-key navigation in the table grid + Tab/Shift-Tab for cell traversal.
- How do I open the Dock command palette?
- Cmd-K (or Ctrl-K on Windows). Search across workspaces, rows, doc sections, and quick-actions in one place. Same shortcut as Slack, Linear, etc.
- How do I quickly create a new Dock workspace from the keyboard?
- Cmd-Shift-N opens the new-workspace modal. Tab through name → mode → visibility → submit. Whole flow in <5 seconds without touching the mouse.
- What's the keyboard shortcut to add a new row in Dock?
- Cmd-N when focused on a table tab. Adds a row at the bottom + drops you into the first cell for editing. Cmd-Enter commits the row; Esc abandons.
- How do I navigate cells with the keyboard in Dock's table view?
- Arrow keys move cell-to-cell. Enter starts editing the focused cell. Tab moves to the next cell on the same row; Shift-Tab moves backward. Esc cancels an edit; Cmd-Enter commits.
- How do I see all Dock keyboard shortcuts?
- Cmd-/ opens the shortcuts cheatsheet overlay. Lists every shortcut by category (navigation, table, doc, command palette, comments). Press Esc to close.
- Can I customize Dock's keyboard shortcuts?
- Not yet. Shortcuts are fixed per-platform (Cmd on Mac, Ctrl on Windows/Linux). If a default conflicts with another tool you depend on, file a support ticket; we're collecting requests for a customization layer.
- What's the keyboard shortcut for the Dock inbox?
- G then I (Gmail-style two-key sequence). Or click the Inbox icon in the sidebar. Inbox supports its own keyboard nav once open: ↑↓ to move between threads, E to mark read, J/K (vim-style) for prev/next, Esc to close.
- How do I switch between Dock workspaces using the keyboard?
- Cmd-K then start typing the workspace name + Enter. Or use the sidebar's recent-workspaces section. Or pin frequently-used workspaces (right-click → Pin) for one-click access.
- Do Dock keyboard shortcuts work in the desktop app and the web?
- Yes, identical shortcuts in both surfaces. The desktop app uses the same web tech under the hood; shortcut handlers are the same code. Desktop adds menu-bar shortcuts (e.g. Cmd-Comma for Settings) on top.
Related
- Open-in-Dock links: handle dock://... URLs from anywhere on your system.
- Web-app shortcuts: every shortcut the web app supports.