---
url: https://pencel.ai/docs/reference/keyboard-shortcuts.md
description: >-
  Keyboard shortcuts for Pencel's search, message boxes and document editors,
  plus practical tips for getting more done each day.
---

# Keyboard shortcuts and tips

A handful of shortcuts and habits that make Pencel faster to use. On Windows and Linux, use **Ctrl** wherever this page says ⌘.

## Anywhere

| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘K | Open search. Jump to any page, or find a document, knowledge doc, room result, chat, to-do, workflow or agent. |
| ⌘F | Find text on the current page |

## In a message box

| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Send |
| Shift+Enter | Start a new line |
| Esc | Stop a room while it's replying |
| `@` | In a room, point at a file, document, guideline or teammate |
| `/` | On Home, open a quick form (such as `/todo`). In a room, list the room's actions, such as **Search for RFPs** |

## In Documents

| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘P | Quickly open a file by name |
| ⌘W | Close the current tab |
| ⌘1 to ⌘9 | Jump to an open tab by its position |
| Ctrl+Tab | Next tab (add Shift for the previous one) |
| ⌘. | Turn focus mode on or off |
| Esc | Leave focus mode |

## In the editors

| Shortcut | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| ⌘S | Any editor | Save |
| ⌘Enter | Document, in the **Ask AI** or **Transform with AI** box | Send your instruction |
| ⌘I | Spreadsheet | **Ask AI…** about the sheet, such as "sum column B" |
| ⌘Z | Slides | Undo |
| ⌘Shift+Z | Slides | Redo |

## Tips

**Let ⌘K find it.** Search covers pages, documents, knowledge, room results, past chats, to-dos, workflows and agents. It's also the quickest way to open **To-dos**: press ⌘K and type "To-dos", or use the To-dos box on Home.

**Jot a to-do from Home.** Type `/todo` in the Home message box to add a to-do with a title, priority and due date, straight to your list. Your agents can see open to-dos, and you can hand one to an agent with the run button next to it. See [To-dos](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/todos.html).

**Run to explore, Build to repeat.** Use **Run** in the Home message box for one-off work you want done now. When you catch yourself asking for the same thing again, switch to **Build** and turn it into a routine. In a room, the **Save as workflow** icon on a good reply does the same. See [Turn a request into a routine](https://pencel.ai/docs/guides/run-and-build.html).

**Let Pencel choose.** Leave the agent picker on **Auto** and Pencel sends your request to a suitable agent. On Pencel credits, **Pencel Auto** lets Pencel choose the model too. See [Supported models](https://pencel.ai/docs/reference/supported-models.html).

**Talk about one card.** In a room, click a card on the wall and your next message is about that card. See [Team and rooms](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/programs.html).

**Give a room a standing rule.** Say "always flag anything over $50K" in the room and it saves the rule for all future work. Click **Edit rules** to change it later.

**Teach Pencel once.** Point Pencel at a folder of notes with **Knowledge ▸ Add Knowledge**, and answer the "Pencel needs" cards on Home. Every room uses what you teach it. See [Teach Pencel about your business](https://pencel.ai/docs/guides/teach-pencel-about-your-business.html).

**Add a ready-made Room any time.** Go to **Team ▸ Add a teammate** and pick one from the ready-made list. See [Ready-made Rooms](https://pencel.ai/docs/programs/).

**Speak instead of typing.** Click the microphone in the Home message box or any room to dictate. Click it again to stop.

**Check Home first.** Everything that needs you, from every room, lands on Home with the most important item first. If you only check one screen in the morning, check that one. See [Home](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/home.html).

## Related

* [Home](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/home.html)
* [Documents](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/documents.html)
* [Settings](https://pencel.ai/docs/reference/settings.html)