#1. Use a Window Manager

  • I use Amethyst to give specific Monitors and windows focus which was a common thing I would have to pick up my mouse for
  • Hyper + ZXCV for moving Windows Around
  • Hyper + ASDF to move focus

#2. Learn Text Cursor movement

  • Command + Right or Left to jump to the end of the line
  • Alt + Right or Left to move a word at a time
    • Add shift to select the word while you’re at it

#3. Scroll with your arrow keys

  • Most websites let you use up & down arrow keys
  • I use Hyper + HJKL as my arrow keys so that I don’t have to leave the home row (optional)
    • You can also use the Vimium Chrome Extension to do this and much more.

#4. Learn your keyboard shortcuts

  • MacOS Keyboard Shortcuts
  • App-Specific Keyboard Shortcuts

MacOS Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Change active application with Alt + Tab
  • Ctrl + Cmd + F for Full Screen
  • Changing Spaces with Ctrl + Left or Right
  • Make sure you know how to play/pause your music & change volume with keyboard shortcuts
  • Function + Backspace functions as a forward delete key
  • Cmd + Shift + 3 or 4 for Screenshots
  • Close current window with Cmd + W
  • Close current app with Cmd + Q

App-Specific Shortcuts

  • Slack
    • Command+K to find conversations
  • Chrome
    • Cmd + L to highlight to URL bar
    • Ctrl + Tab to switch tabs
    • Cmd + R to refresh the current tab
    • Cmd + [ to go back and CMD + ] to go forward a page

#5. Figure out how to jump to your commonly used apps

  • Use Karabiner Elements and add Launchkeys
  • Use Alfred/Spotlight to help with launch random applications

Exercise

If you want to get serious about this write down or keep a mental note of every time you stop & pick up your mouse today.

Capture what you were trying to do.