Todoist vs Things Shortcuts
A side-by-side comparison of keyboard shortcuts between Todoist (30 shortcuts) and Things (80 shortcuts) on macOS. See how common actions map across both apps.
Shared Categories
These shortcut categories exist in both apps. Compare how the same actions are mapped to different key combinations.
General
| Todoist | Action | Things |
|---|---|---|
| M | Open or close menu | — |
| H | Go to Home view | — |
| Q | Add a task (with Quick Add) | — |
| A | Add a task at the bottom of the list | — |
| S | Add a section | — |
| ⇧ V | Switch to the Board view | — |
Only in Todoist
Global (2)
| ⌃ ⌘ T | Show/hide Todoist |
| ⌃ ⌘ A | Open task Quick Add |
Adding and editing tasks (6)
| Esc | Cancel current changes |
| ↩ | Save a newly created task and create a new one below it |
| ⇧ ↩ | Save changes to an existing task and create a new task below it |
| ⌃ ↩ | Save a new task or save changes to an existing one and create a new task above it |
| ⌘ ↑ | Move to the task above the task currently being edited (only works inside projects) |
Creating and completing sub-tasks (2)
| ⌘ → | Increase task indent (only works inside projects) |
| ⌘ ← | Decrease task indent (only works inside projects) |
Sorting tasks inside a project (4)
| D | Sort by date |
| P | Sort by priority |
| N | Sort by name |
| R | Sort by assignee |
Only in Things
Create new items (7)
| Space | Create a new to-do below selection |
| ⌘ V | Paste plain text to create new to-dos |
| ⇧ ⌘ C | Create a checklist in an open to-do |
| ⌥ ⇧ ⌘ N | New heading for selected to-dos |
| ⌥ ⌘ N | Create a new project |
Edit items (6)
| ↩ | Open a to-do or project |
| Esc | Save and close |
| ⌘ C | Copy a to-do or project |
| ⌥ ⌘ K | Cancel selected items |
| Delete | Delete selected items |
Select items (7)
| ↑ | Select item above |
| ↓ | Select item below |
| ⇧ ↑ | Extend selection upwards |
| ⇧ ↓ | Extend selection downwards |
| ⌥ ⇧ ↑ | Extend selection to the top |
Move items (6)
| ⇧ ⌘ M | Move selection to another list |
| ⌥ ⌘ V | Move copied to-dos and projects |
| ⌘ ↑ | Move selection up |
| ⌘ ↓ | Move selection down |
| ⌥ ⌘ ↑ | Move selections to top of list |
Edit dates (13)
| ⌘ E | Start This Evening |
| ⌘ R | Start Anytime |
| ⌘ Q | Start Someday |
| ⌃ ] | Start date +1 day |
| ⌃ [ | Start date -1 day |
Control windows (7)
| ⌃ ⌘ N | Open new window |
| ⌘ ` | Cycle through open windows |
| ⌘ W | Close current window |
| ⌥ ⌘ W | Close all windows |
| ⌘ / | Hide or show sidebar |
Navigate (16)
| ⌘ 2 | Go to Today |
| ⌘ 3 | Go to Upcoming |
| ⌘ 4 | Go to Anytime |
| ⌘ 5 | Go to Someday |
| ⌘ 6 | Go to Logbook |
Tags (5)
| ⌃ ⌘ T | Open tag window |
| ⇧ ⌘ T | Acces tag picker for selected to-dos |
| ⌃ shortcut | Toggle a tag for selected to-do |
| ⌃ ⌥ shortcut | Filter for a tag |
| ⌃ Esc | Destroy previous filter |
Links (1)
| ⌥ ⌘ ↩ | Open a link |
Switching Between Todoist and Things
Both Todoist and Things are popular tools in the Productivity category. When switching between them, the biggest challenge is re-learning keyboard shortcuts — actions you perform automatically in one app require conscious effort in the other.
The comparison above highlights where shortcuts overlap (making the transition easier) and where they differ (requiring new muscle memory). Focus on learning the differences first, since the shared shortcuts will transfer naturally.
For a complete shortcut reference, visit the full shortcut pages: