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Getting Started

tip

You can navigate Shortcat's documentation with Shortcat if you are using a supported browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox).

Activate Shortcat with your activation key combination (default is Cmd + Shift + Space), and type basics, then press Enter.

Installation​

Once you've downloaded Shortcat, you should move it into your /Applications folder otherwise you may encounter issues with updates.

Launching Shortcat for the first time will show you the Welcome screen.

Accessibility permissions​

Shortcat requires permission to use the Accessibility API.

On launch, Shortcat will request permissions to use Accessibility if it does not have it.

For more detailed instructions and screenshots, see Enabling Accessibility Access.

Note: Some times you may need to delete the entry for Shortcat, then re-request it for it to work.

Basics​

The goal of Shortcat is to enable you to operate your interface quickly by keeping your hands on the keyboard.

Activating Shortcat​

To activate Shortcat, use the key binding you have set. The default is Cmd + Shift + Space.

Shortcat will enumerate your current active window's UI elements, the current application's menus, and all open windows and applications.

Searching​

You can type a few letters of the element you want to click on, and Shortcat will use fuzzy search quickly filter the desired elements.

Shortcat also indexes the element type. For example, if you want to only see Link elements, you can add link to the end of a query.

Selection​

If you don't know what you need to type to select a certain element, Shortcat will (by default) display all elements and their automatically assigned shortcuts, highlighted in black-on-yellow labels after 2 seconds (configurable).

Typing the 1-3 letter shortcut will select that element.

Shortcat is designed for a query to be entered that ideally returns the desired result at the top, making for fast and efficient actions. Using more keystrokes to enter a more specific query is likely to be faster than selecting manually with the methods below.

Holding Cmd will show you the Cmd+Number shortcut you can press to left click the element. You can use Cmd+Shift+Number to select the element for more complex clicks or actions.

You can also use the arrow keys to move through the results list.

Actions​

Pressing Enter will perform the default action for the result. In most cases, this is a click on the element's midpoint, the menu entry is activated, or the window is brought to the foreground.

Mouse Actions​

  • To left click, press Enter.
  • To double click, press Enter twice in quick succession, like you would a double click.
  • To right click, hold Control and press Enter.

Window / App switching​

  • Enter on a Window will raise the window and bring app to foreground
  • Enter on an Application will bring the app to foreground

Support​

Hit up @shortcatapp on Twitter if you need help.