PrimeTask

Keyboard Shortcuts

PrimeTask's keyboard shortcut system - global shortcuts for navigation and creation, context-aware shortcuts per page, and an in-app reference that shows what's available wherever you are.

PrimeTask uses keyboard shortcuts for the things you do often - create a task, jump to a page, open search, run a saved command. They're optional - every shortcut has a clickable equivalent - but once you've learned a few, they're the fastest way to move through the app.

There are two tiers:

  • Global shortcuts - work anywhere in PrimeTask (navigation, creation, search, settings).
  • Context-aware shortcuts - work only on certain pages or when certain items are selected (for example, a task-list shortcut that only fires while you're viewing tasks).

For the app-wide search and Command Palette that pairs with these, see App Header.

`Cmd + /` opens the in-app keyboard shortcut reference

The reference shows every shortcut available to you, updated live based on what's currently on screen. On Windows, use Ctrl + /.

What you can do

Navigate every main page

with a shortcut.

Create tasks, projects, and Spaces

without reaching for the mouse.

Open the Command Palette

to search across every command and automation rule.

See every shortcut

for the current context with a single key combination.

Bind an automation rule to your own shortcut

(Pro).

Global shortcuts

These work anywhere in PrimeTask. On Windows, replace Cmd with Ctrl.

Navigation

ShortcutAction
⌘+1Go to Dashboard
⌘+2Go to Tasks
⌘+3Go to Calendar
⌘+4Go to PrimeCRM
⌘+5Go to PrimeFlow
⌘+6Go to Reports
⌘+7Go to Settings
Cmd + [Go back
Cmd + ]Go forward

Create

ShortcutAction
⌘+NCreate new task
⌘+⇧+AQuick Add (full form)
⌘+⇧+NCreate new Space
⌘+⇧+PCreate new project

Search and palette

ShortcutAction
⌘+KOpen the Command Palette
⌘+FFocus the search bar
Cmd + /Open the keyboard shortcuts reference
Shift + ?Show shortcut hints on screen

Settings

ShortcutAction
Cmd + ,Open Settings

Compass

ShortcutAction
⌘+JOpen Compass, the daily direction modal

Context-aware shortcuts

Many PrimeTask pages have their own shortcuts that only apply while you're on that page or while a specific item is selected. Examples include:

  • Tasks page - moving between tasks, toggling complete, opening details.
  • Task details - fast status and priority changes.
  • Calendar - view switcher, date navigation. H hides the page header.
  • Gantt - H hides the page header for more chart real estate.
  • PrimeFlow canvas - selection, alignment, auto-layout. With a mind map topic selected, Tab adds a child topic beneath it and Return adds one beside it. H hides the page header.
  • Project details - H hides the project header. ⇧+H hides the back button and project header together for the cleanest, full-vertical layout.
  • Command Palette - arrow keys to navigate, Enter to run, Escape to close.

The full list depends on where you are - the in-app reference (Cmd + /) shows what's active right now.

`H` is the universal hide-header key

Press H on the Dashboard, Task list, Calendar, Gantt, PrimeFlow, or a project page to hide that page's header for a cleaner view. Press it again to bring the header back. On a project page, ⇧+H goes one step further and also hides the back button so the work area fills the whole window. Suppressed while typing in any input.

Learn two or three at a time

Picking up every shortcut at once is hopeless. Start with ⌘+K (Command Palette) and ⌘+N (new task). Add one new shortcut a week.

Change any shortcut

Every shortcut in PrimeTask is editable - navigation, create actions, search, the Command Palette, and any automation rule. The shortcut editor lives in Settings → Automations → Shortcuts.

From there you can:

  • Remap a built-in shortcut - for example, change ⌘+K to a combination you prefer.
  • Assign a shortcut to a command that doesn't have one by default.
  • Reset a shortcut to its default in one click if you change your mind.
  • Assign a shortcut to a custom automation rule (Pro) so you can run the rule from anywhere.

PrimeTask checks your new combination for conflicts against other shortcuts and built-in commands. If the combination is already taken, the editor shows the conflict so you can pick something else.

Start with the defaults, customise what you actually use

The built-in shortcuts cover what most people reach for. Change only the ones that don't match your habits - a scattered shortcut map is harder to remember than the default.

Bind an automation to a shortcut

On Pro, every custom automation rule can also be bound to a keyboard shortcut from the rule editor. Press the combination anywhere in PrimeTask and the rule fires - whether that's a focus session opener, a status change, a "start my day" macro, or anything else you've built.

See Building Custom Rules and Testing and Running Rules.

The Command Palette is the other half of shortcuts

⌘+K opens PrimeTask's Command Palette - a searchable list of every command you can run. If you can't remember a shortcut, type what you want to do and run it from there. Every custom automation shows up as a command too, so power users get a universal keyboard workflow.

See App Header for every way to reach the palette.

Things worth knowing

macOS and Windows use different modifier keys

Cmd on macOS is Ctrl on Windows. PrimeTask adapts automatically - the shortcuts you see in the in-app reference match your platform.

Some shortcuts are suppressed in text fields

While you're typing in a task name, notes area, or any editable text, PrimeTask suppresses shortcuts that would compete with normal typing. Shortcuts that use a modifier (Cmd, Ctrl, Shift, Option, Alt) still work.

The in-app reference is the source of truth

Because shortcuts are added and refined between releases, the in-app reference (Cmd + /) always reflects what's available in your current version. This article covers the main set; the reference covers every one.

Every shortcut is editable

Every PrimeTask shortcut - navigation, create, search, Command Palette, and more - can be remapped from Settings → Automations → Shortcuts. You can also reset any shortcut to its default. See the Change any shortcut section above.

Shortcut hints appear on screen with Shift + ?

Pressing Shift + ? puts small shortcut hints over clickable items so you can see their shortcut without opening the reference. Useful for the first couple of weeks.

Keyboard shortcuts layer on top of the UI, they don't replace it

Every action has a clickable path. Shortcuts are a faster path on top. Use whichever feels better at each moment.

Common questions

"Why isn't my shortcut working?"

Check you're not typing in a text field - most shortcuts are suppressed there. Also check the in-app reference (Cmd + /) - some shortcuts are context-aware and only fire on specific pages.

"Can I change a shortcut?"

Yes - every shortcut in PrimeTask is editable. Open Settings → Automations → Shortcuts to remap, reset to default, or assign a shortcut to a command that doesn't have one. Custom automation rules (Pro) can also take their own shortcut from the rule editor.

"What if my shortcut conflicts with another app?"

PrimeTask shortcuts only fire when the PrimeTask window has focus. They don't interfere with global OS shortcuts that fire when another app is in front.

"Where do I see every shortcut for the current page?"

Press Cmd + / (or Ctrl + / on Windows) - the in-app keyboard shortcut reference shows everything live.

"Do keyboard shortcuts work on Windows?"

Yes - Cmd becomes Ctrl on Windows, and PrimeTask adapts automatically.

"How do I bind an automation to a keyboard shortcut?"

Open the automation in the editor, set the shortcut field, and save. See Building Custom Rules.

Where to go next

If you want to…Read this
Use the App Header search and Command PaletteApp Header
Bind rules to shortcutsBuilding Custom Rules
Run rules manuallyTesting and Running Rules
Get productive in five minutesQuick Start Guide
Understand the whole interfaceUnderstanding the Interface

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