Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Master Clipboard Recast’s keyboard shortcuts to maximize your productivity.

Global Shortcuts

These shortcuts work from anywhere in macOS, regardless of which app is in focus:

Cmd+Shift+A

Transform Clipboard Content

The main shortcut for Clipboard Recast:

• Works in any application
• Opens action selection menu
• Shows all matching workflows for current clipboard content
• Select an action to transform

Requirements:

• Accessibility permissions must be granted
• Clipboard must contain content

Cmd+Shift+H (default, customizable)

Open Clipboard History

Opens the clipboard history window from anywhere:

• Works in any application
• Browse, search, and restore past clipboard items
• View screenshot thumbnails
• The default shortcut is Cmd+Shift+H, but you can change it in Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts

Requirements:

• Accessibility permissions must be granted

Taking Screenshots

These are macOS system shortcuts that work with Clipboard Recast:

Cmd+Shift+4

Screenshot Selection to Desktop

• Select area to capture
• Saves to Desktop as PNG
• Clipboard Recast auto-detects within 2 seconds
• Triggers screenshot workflows if configured

Cmd+Shift+3

Full Screen Screenshot to Desktop

• Captures entire screen
• Saves to Desktop as PNG
• Auto-detected by Clipboard Recast

Cmd+Shift+Control+4

Screenshot Selection to Clipboard

• Select area to capture
• Copies directly to clipboard (no file saved)
• Immediately detected by Clipboard Recast

Cmd+Shift+Control+3

Full Screen Screenshot to Clipboard

• Captures entire screen
• Copies directly to clipboard (no file saved)
• Immediately detected by Clipboard Recast

Application Shortcuts

These shortcuts work when interacting with Clipboard Recast’s windows:

Cmd+Q

Quit Application

• Closes Clipboard Recast completely
• Stops clipboard monitoring
• Can relaunch from Applications folder

Esc

Close Window

• Closes current window or dialog
• Cancels current operation
• Useful for dismissing result windows

Result Window Shortcuts

When viewing transformation results:

Cmd+C

Copy Result

• Copies AI result to clipboard
• Same as clicking “Copy” button
• Original content saved to history

Cmd+R

Replace Clipboard

• Replaces clipboard with AI result
• Same as clicking “Replace” button
• Original content saved to history

Esc

Close Without Action

• Closes result window
• Keeps original clipboard content
• No changes made

Workflow-Specific Shortcuts

Quick Actions Pattern

Use this pattern for fastest workflow:

1. Copy content (Cmd+C in source app)
2. Transform (Cmd+Shift+A)
3. Select action (arrow keys + Enter)
4. Copy result (Cmd+C) or Replace (Cmd+R)
5. Paste in destination (Cmd+V)

Auto-Trigger Pattern

For auto-trigger workflows:

1. Copy content (Cmd+C)
2. Wait 1-2 seconds
3. Result appears automatically
4. Copy or Replace from result window

macOS System Shortcuts

Useful macOS shortcuts that complement Clipboard Recast:

Cmd+C

Copy

• Copies selected content to clipboard
• Triggers Clipboard Recast detection

Cmd+V

Paste

• Pastes clipboard content
• Use after transforming with Clipboard Recast

Cmd+X

Cut

• Cuts selected content to clipboard
• Also triggers Clipboard Recast detection

Cmd+Space

Spotlight Search

• Quick way to launch Clipboard Recast
• Type “Clipboard Recast” and press Enter

Cmd+Tab

Switch Applications

• Switch between apps during transformation
• Useful for reference while transforming

Creating Your Own Patterns

Pattern 1: Quick Code Explanation

1. Select code → Cmd+C
2. Cmd+Shift+A
3. Arrow down to "Explain Code" → Enter
4. Read explanation
5. Esc to close

Pattern 2: Error Debugging (Auto)

1. Select error → Cmd+C
2. Wait 2 seconds (auto-trigger)
3. Read solution
4. Cmd+C to copy solution
5. Esc to close

Pattern 3: Grammar Fix and Paste

1. Select text → Cmd+C
2. Cmd+Shift+A
3. Select "Fix Grammar" → Enter
4. Cmd+R to replace clipboard
5. Switch to destination (Cmd+Tab)
6. Cmd+V to paste corrected text

Pattern 4: Screenshot Analysis

1. Cmd+Shift+4 (take screenshot)
2. Wait 3 seconds (auto-detection + auto-trigger)
3. Read analysis
4. Cmd+C to copy explanation
5. Esc to close

Customization

The Clipboard History global shortcut is fully customizable:

1. Open Settings (click menu bar icon → Settings…)
2. Scroll to the Keyboard Shortcuts section
3. Click the button next to “Open History”
4. Press your desired key combination
5. Click Save

The Cmd+Shift+A shortcut for transforming clipboard content is fixed and cannot be changed.

Note

Custom shortcuts take effect immediately after saving — no restart required.

Accessibility Permissions

For shortcuts to work properly:

Required Permission

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility

Add Clipboard Recast to the allowed apps list.

Why It’s Needed

• Global hotkey (Cmd+Shift+A) requires accessibility access
• Allows monitoring keyboard events system-wide
• Essential for core functionality

How to Grant

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security
3. Click Accessibility
4. Click the lock to make changes
5. Enable Clipboard Recast in the list
6. Restart Clipboard Recast

Troubleshooting Shortcuts

Cmd+Shift+A Not Working

Solutions:

• Grant Accessibility permissions (see above)
• Restart Clipboard Recast after granting permissions
• Check if another app is using the same hotkey
• Verify clipboard contains content

Other Shortcuts Not Working

Solutions:

• Make sure window is focused (click on it)
• Check if you’re in the right context (some shortcuts are window-specific)
• Try clicking with mouse first to confirm functionality

Screenshot Shortcuts Not Detecting

Solutions:

• Use Cmd+Shift+4 (saves to desktop) instead of Cmd+Shift+Control+4
• Wait 2-3 seconds for detection
• Check that files are saving to Desktop
• Verify screenshot filename matches pattern

Tips for Efficiency

1. Memorize the Big Two

Focus on these global shortcuts:

• Cmd+Shift+A - Transform clipboard content
• Cmd+Shift+H - Open clipboard history (default)

These cover 90% of usage. Everything else is accessible from the menu bar icon.

2. Use Auto-Trigger Wisely

Set up auto-trigger for repetitive tasks:

• Error debugging
• Screenshot analysis
• Saves you from pressing Cmd+Shift+A every time

3. Keep Hands on Keyboard

Learn these patterns:

• Arrow keys to navigate action menu
• Enter to select action
• Esc to close windows
• Minimizes mouse usage

4. Combine with App Shortcuts

Integrate with your IDE or editor shortcuts:

• Select all (Cmd+A) → Copy (Cmd+C) → Transform (Cmd+Shift+A)
• Works great for transforming entire files

5. Practice the Patterns

Use the workflow patterns above repeatedly:

• Muscle memory develops quickly
• Becomes second nature after a few days
• Significantly faster than mouse-based workflow

Next Steps

• Usage Guide: Learn how to apply these shortcuts in practice
• Workflows: Set up auto-trigger workflows to reduce shortcut usage
• Configuration: Optimize your setup for fastest response