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Cursor Shortcuts

This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for Cursor on macOS, covering all 30 shortcuts organized into 5 sections. Whether you’re new to Cursor or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in Cursor. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.

Using keyboard shortcuts in Cursor reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most Cursor shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.

Tips for Learning Shortcuts

  • Practice one new Cursor shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
  • Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in Cursor. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
  • Start with the shortcuts you use most. In Cursor, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.

General8

ActionShortcut
Toggle SidepanelI
Toggle Agent LayoutE
Mode Menu.
Cycle AI Models/
Cursor SettingsJ
Toggle Voice ModeSpace
General Settings,
Command PaletteP

Chat13

ActionShortcut
Queue Message
Cancel GenerationDelete
Add Selected Code as ContextL
Add Clipboard to Input BoxV
Reject All ChangesDelete
Rotate Agent ModesTab
Model Toggle/
New ChatN
New ChatR
New Chat TabT
Previous Chat[
Next Chat]
Close ChatW

Inline Edit2

ActionShortcut
Toggle Edit Input FocusK
Ask Quick Question

Code & Context4

ActionShortcut
Add Selection to EditK
Toggle File Reading StrategiesM
Accept Next Word
Accept SuggestionTab

Terminal3

ActionShortcut
Open Terminal Prompt BarK
Run Generated Command
Accept CommandEsc

Frequently Asked Questions

Access Cursor shortcuts from your menu bar

KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.