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Your Mac’s trackpad or mouse lets you navigate your computer. However, if you prefer a keyboard-only approach or, at least, want to use your trackpad less frequently, you can use Shortcat to access and interact with elements on your screen without a mouse.
Install and Customize Shortcat
Shortcat is a free Mac app that indexes clickable UI elements on your screen and assigns shortcuts or lets you search for them, allowing you to navigate your Mac with a few keystrokes. you’re able to use Shortcat to scroll, click buttons, open compatible apps, browse the web, and more, without a trackpad or mouse. So, whetheryour mouse is not working on your Macor you like keeping your hands on your keyboard, Shortcat is a great app to try.
Download:Shortcat(Free)
Here’s how to install and customize Shortcat after downloading it using the link above:
After installation, you can return to the preferences menu anytime by clicking the Shortcat icon in the menu bar and selectingPreferences.
Using Shortcat to Search and Select On-Screen Elements
Shortcat offers several ways to search for clickable on-screen elements without taking your hands off your keyboard. You can trigger Shortcat using your selected keyboard shortcut or the defaultCmd + Shift + Space. Here are some ways to use Shortcat to interact with on-screen elements:
Search and Select With Letter Hints
One of the quickest ways to search for on-screen elements using Shortcat is by selecting the two-letter hints that appear in yellow boxes over them. After activating Shortcat using theCmd + Shift + Spacekeyboard shortcut, you’ll see yellow boxes pop up, each containing one or two letters.
Type the letter(s) corresponding to the element you want to select and hitReturn(orEnter). For example, to go to the Notification setting (in the screenshot below), typeAJto highlight it, and hitReturn.
Search by Typing the Element’s Name
Another quick way to interact with on-screen elements is by typing the element’s name into the Shorcat search box. For example, typeNotificationinto Shortcat’s search bar and hitReturn. This works best when you know what you’re looking for.
Filter by Element Type
Sometimes, you may want to narrow down your search by specifying the type of element you’re looking for. For example, if you only want to select links on the screen, you may typeLinkinto Shortcat’s search bar. This will filter out any other elements and only show links on the screen, which you can select using the two-letter hints.
Select Commonly Used Elements Using Cmd + Number
Shortcat lets you use theCmd + Numshortcut to pick from commonly used elements on the list with minimal effort. HoldCmdand press the corresponding number key to select the element.
Using Shortcat to Simulate Various Mouse Actions
Beyond selecting on-screen UI elements, Shortcat also allows you to simulate various mouse actions like clicking and scrolling using your keyboard. Here’s a breakdown of the key mouse actions you can perform using Shortcat:
Left, Right, and Double-Click Actions With Shortcat
After selecting a clickable element, as described above, pressReturn(orEnter) to perform a left-click. To simulate a double-click, pressReturntwice. For example, to open a file on your Mac, you would select the file and pressReturntwice. Lastly, to simulate a right-click and open the context menu, simply pressControl + Return.
Modifier Clicks With Shortcat
Shortcat also supports various modifier clicks, which are performed by holding a modifier key andReturn. For example, you may useCmd + Returnto open a link in a new tab orShift + Returnto select several on-screen items.
How to Scroll Using Shortcat
Shortcat lets you scroll through content on your screen using just your keyboard. HoldSpace + CmdandI,J,K, orLto scroll up, left, down, or right, respectively. For example, to scroll down, simply holdSpace + Cmdand pressKmultiple times until the desired section is in view.
In addition, Shortcat lets you use keyboard shortcuts to navigate active windows just like you would with arrow keys (since arrow keys are used to navigate clickable UI elements when Shortcat is active). HoldSpaceand pressI,J,K, orLto simulate arrow key functionalities in an active window.
Using Shortcat in Your Browser and Other Compatible Apps
Shortcat canenhance your Mac workflowacross various apps like Safari, Chrome, Mail, Slack, Teams, Notion, and more. Here are some common use cases that demonstrate how you can navigate your Mac efficiently using Shorcat
Navigate Apple Mail
you’re able to use Shortcat to open and navigate your email folders in Apple’s Mail app. Activate Shortcat by pressingCmd + Shift + Space, then type Launchpad and hitReturn. As described above, you can use Shortcat to select any clickable UI element in Mail, including specific emails, trash, archive, reply, and more. You can navigate other compatible apps similarly using Shortcat.
Switching Tabs in Chrome or Safari
You probably have multiple tabs open in Chrome at any given time. Instead of manually clicking through each tab with your mouse, use Shortcat to quickly find the one you need. Simply activate Shortcat, type the tab’s name or select using the letter hints, and pressReturn.
Using Shortcat as Your Emoji Picker
you may use Shortcat totype emojis on your Mac. This can be handy if you’ve reassigned theFunction (Fn)/Globekey to something else. Simply pressCmd + Shift + Spaceto activate Shortcat, press the: (colon)key, and type the emoji you want to insert—for instance, sad, happy, rocket, etc. Shortcat will show you a list of matching emojis from which you can select and hitReturnto insert.
Overall, Shortcat can be useful for navigating and executing actions quickly on your Mac using your keyboard alone. Although it certainly takes some time to learn and get used to, it can greatly improve your productivity once you master it. So, try it out and see how it can enhance your Mac experience.
