Keyboard Shortcuts

Complete keyboard shortcut reference for Quick Select

Overview

Quick Select enables rapid item selection in Obsidian modals using keyboard shortcuts. Hold your configured modifier key and press a number to instantly select the corresponding item.

Modifier Key (Mod)

The “Mod” key is platform-specific:

Platform	Mod Key	Physical Key
macOS	Cmd	Command (⌘)
Windows	Win	Windows (⊞)
Linux	Super	Super/Meta

By default, Quick Select uses the Meta key (Mod), but you can customize this in settings to use Ctrl or Alt instead.

Quick Select Shortcuts

When any modal or suggestion popup is open, the following shortcuts are available:

Shortcut	Action
Mod + 1	Select the 1st item in the list
Mod + 2	Select the 2nd item in the list
Mod + 3	Select the 3rd item in the list
Mod + 4	Select the 4th item in the list
Mod + 5	Select the 5th item in the list
Mod + 6	Select the 6th item in the list
Mod + 7	Select the 7th item in the list
Mod + 8	Select the 8th item in the list
Mod + 9	Select the 9th item in the list

Shortcuts only work when a modal or suggestion list is open. If there are fewer than 9 items, higher number keys will have no effect.

How It Works

1. Open any modal - Quick Open, command palette, file suggestions, etc.
2. Hold the modifier key - Numbered counters appear next to items
3. Press a number (1-9) - The corresponding item is instantly selected
4. Release the modifier key - Counters disappear

Customizing the Modifier Key

You can change which key activates Quick Select shortcuts:

1. Open Settings → Quick Select
2. Under Modifier key, choose:
   • Meta (⌘/Win) - Default, uses Cmd on macOS, Win on Windows
   • Control - Uses Ctrl key on all platforms
   • Alt - Uses Alt/Option key

Example Configurations

Default (Meta)

Shortcuts: ⌘+1, ⌘+2, ⌘+3, ... (macOS)
           Win+1, Win+2, Win+3, ... (Windows)

Control

Shortcuts: Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3, ... (all platforms)

Alt

Shortcuts: Alt+1, Alt+2, Alt+3, ... (all platforms)
           Option+1, Option+2, Option+3, ... (macOS)

Platform Differences

macOS

• Mod = Command (⌘)
• Shortcuts feel native to macOS conventions
• Option key can be selected as an alternative

Windows

• Mod = Windows key (⊞)
• May conflict with system shortcuts (Win+1, Win+2 switch taskbar apps)
• Recommendation: Use Ctrl or Alt as modifier key on Windows

Linux

• Mod = Super key (often the Windows logo key)
• Behavior varies by desktop environment
• Ctrl or Alt provide more consistent behavior

On Windows, using the Meta (Windows) key may conflict with system shortcuts. Consider switching to Ctrl or Alt in settings if you experience conflicts.

Scope Registration

Quick Select registers keyboard shortcuts dynamically when modals open. The implementation uses Obsidian’s Scope API to ensure shortcuts only work in the appropriate context:

// From main.ts:84-96
for (let i = 1; i <= 9; i++) {
  modalScope.register(
    [getKeymapModifier()], // "Mod", "Ctrl", or "Alt"
    i.toString(),
    (evt) => {
      evt.preventDefault();
      const idx = i - 1;
      if (!this.chooser?.values || idx >= this.chooser.values.length)
        return;
      this.chooser.setSelectedItem(idx, evt);
      this.chooser.useSelectedItem?.(evt);
    },
  );
}

This ensures shortcuts are automatically cleaned up when modals close and don’t interfere with normal Obsidian operation.