Slack keyboard shortcuts for Mac
51 shortcuts · Updated
These are the default Slack keyboard shortcuts on macOS, curated from Slack's official Help Center. You can pull up the same list inside the app any time by pressing Cmd / to open the shortcuts panel. The single-key message actions (edit, react, open thread) apply to the currently selected message.
Nothing matches - try fewer letters, or an action word like "close" or "split".
Or stop looking them up. Super Shortcuts puts the Slack commands you actually use one hyper key away: hold it, see every command for the app you're in, release a key to run it. No memorizing - the cheat sheet is the shortcut.
Get Super ShortcutsNavigation15
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command K⌘K | Jump to a conversation (search channels and DMs by name) |
| Command Shift A⌘⇧A | Open the All unreads view |
| Command Shift T⌘⇧T | Open the Threads view |
| Command Shift M⌘⇧M | Open the Activity view (mentions and reactions) |
| Command Shift K⌘⇧K | Browse your direct messages |
| Command Shift L⌘⇧L | Browse all channels |
| Option Up Arrow⌥↑ | Jump to the previous channel or DM |
| Option Down Arrow⌥↓ | Jump to the next channel or DM |
| Option Shift Up Arrow⌥⇧↑ | Jump to the previous unread channel or DM |
| Option Shift Down Arrow⌥⇧↓ | Jump to the next unread channel or DM |
| Command [⌘[ | Go back in history |
| Command ]⌘] | Go forward in history |
| Command Shift I⌘⇧I | Open the conversation details pane |
| Command .⌘. | Hide the right sidebar |
| Command 1⌘1 | Switch to the workspace in that position (Cmd 1 through Cmd 9) |
Messages & threads11
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command N⌘N | Compose a new message |
| Up Arrow↑ | Edit your last message (with the message field empty) |
| EE | Edit the selected message |
| RR | Add an emoji reaction to the selected message |
| TT | Open or reply to the thread on the selected message |
| FF | Forward the selected message |
| PP | Pin or unpin the selected message |
| AA | Save the selected message for later |
| MM | Create a reminder about the selected message |
| UU | Mark messages as unread from the selected message |
| Delete⌫ | Delete the selected message |
Read & unread4
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Escape⎋ | Mark all messages in the current conversation as read |
| Shift Escape⇧⎋ | Mark all messages as read |
| Option Click⌥Click | Mark a message as unread |
| Command J⌘J | Jump to the most recent unread message |
Formatting10
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command B⌘B | Bold the selected text |
| Command I⌘I | Italicize the selected text |
| Command Shift X⌘⇧X | Strike through the selected text |
| Command Shift C⌘⇧C | Format as inline code |
| Command Option Shift C⌘⌥⇧C | Format as a code block |
| Command Shift 9⌘⇧9 | Format as a blockquote |
| Command Shift 8⌘⇧8 | Start a bulleted list |
| Command Shift 7⌘⇧7 | Start a numbered list |
| Command Shift U⌘⇧U | Turn the selected text into a hyperlink |
| Shift Return⇧↩ | Start a new line without sending |
Huddles & calls2
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command Shift H⌘⇧H | Start, join, or leave a huddle in the current conversation |
| Command Shift Space⌘⇧Space | Toggle mute while in a huddle |
General & help9
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command /⌘/ | Open the keyboard shortcuts panel |
| Command ,⌘, | Open preferences |
| Command Shift Y⌘⇧Y | Set your status |
| Command F⌘F | Search within the current conversation |
| Command G⌘G | Start a search |
| Command O⌘O | Upload a file |
| Command Shift J⌘⇧J | View your downloaded files |
| Command Shift N⌘⇧N | Create a new canvas |
| Command Shift Return⌘⇧↩ | Create a text snippet |
Curated from the official Slack Help Center: keyboard shortcuts. Defaults only - shortcuts you've remapped will differ.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see all keyboard shortcuts in Slack?
Press ⌘/ anywhere in the Slack desktop app to open the keyboard shortcuts panel - a searchable cheat sheet built into the app. The same list lives in Slack's Help Center.
Can I customize keyboard shortcuts in Slack?
Mostly no - Slack's shortcuts are fixed and can't be rebound inside the app. If a Slack shortcut collides with another app, you'll need to change the binding in the other app or remap it at the macOS level.
What is the most important Slack shortcut to learn first?
The quick switcher, ⌘K. It jumps to any channel or DM by name, which replaces almost all sidebar clicking. Pair it with ⌥⇧↓ to walk through unread conversations.