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5 Tips for using your mouse less on MacOS

Written November 14, 2021

    # #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.