Learn platform-level shortcuts before app-specific ones…
Prioritize learning platform-level shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+S, Ctrl+Tab, Alt+Tab) before application-specific shortcuts because they transfer across every tool in your stack.
When This Fires
- When beginning to learn keyboard shortcuts for efficiency
- When Monthly depth audit's monthly depth audit includes shortcut learning
- When you notice reaching for the mouse for operations that have keyboard equivalents
- Complements Invest in mastery proportional to frequency × impact… (mastery investment scaling) with the specific sequencing for shortcut learning
Common Failure Mode
App-specific-first learning: memorizing 30 Obsidian shortcuts while still using the mouse for copy/paste/undo in every other application. The Obsidian shortcuts save time in one tool; the platform shortcuts would save more time across all tools.
The Protocol
(1) Master platform-level shortcuts first (these work across all applications): Essential: Ctrl+C/V/X (copy/paste/cut), Ctrl+Z/Y (undo/redo), Ctrl+S (save), Ctrl+A (select all), Ctrl+F (find). Navigation: Alt+Tab (switch window), Ctrl+Tab (switch tab), Ctrl+W (close tab), Ctrl+T (new tab). Text: Ctrl+Shift+Arrow (select word), Home/End (line start/end), Ctrl+Home/End (document start/end). (2) Practice until they're automatic — you shouldn't think about the shortcut, just do it. (3) Then learn shortcuts for your #1 tool by frequency × impact (Invest in mastery proportional to frequency × impact…). Focus on the 5-10 operations you perform most often. (4) Then your #2 tool, and so on. (5) Track: which mouse operations do you perform most frequently? These are the next shortcuts to learn.