This guide will provide an overview of the most useful Arc keyboard shortcuts, organized by category. Whether you’re a keyboard power user looking to maximize efficiency or simply want to learn some shortcuts to speed up common tasks, this guide has you covered.
Navigation Shortcuts
Arc offers many handy shortcuts to quickly navigate between tabs, spaces, and browser elements.
| Shortcut | Action |
| Ctrl + Tab | Cycle between recent tabs |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Cycle between recent tabs in reverse order |
| Cmd + 1, 2, 3… | Jump to tab in that position |
| Cmd + Right arrow | Go forward in tab history |
| Cmd + Left arrow | Go back in tab history |
| Ctrl + 1, 2, 3… | Jump to space in that position |
| Option + Cmd + Right/Left arrow | Switch between spaces |
These allow for quick navigation without needing to search through many open tabs or spaces. For example, if you know the Gmail tab you need is your 5th open tab, Cmd + 5 takes you right there.
Tab Management Shortcuts
Managing multiple tabs is key for an efficient workflow. Arc provides many shortcuts to handle tabs swiftly.
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + T | Open new tab |
| Cmd + W | Close current tab |
| Cmd + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab |
| Cmd + L | Select address bar |
| Cmd + D | Pin/unpin tab |
| Cmd + Shift + K | Clear all unpinned tabs |
| Option + Cmd + Up/Down arrow | Move tab position |
The ability to quickly open, close, pin, and reorganize tabs makes it simple to manage many tabs without losing your place or needing to search visually.
Split View Shortcuts
Arc’s split view allows viewing two tabs side-by-side. These shortcuts enhance using this feature:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + Shift + Plus | Add split view |
| Cmd + Shift + Minus | Close split view |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1, 2… | Switch split view focus |
The ability to quickly add, remove, and switch focus between split views makes multitasking with multiple tabs efficient.
Page Shortcuts
Arc provides shortcuts to manipulate the current page and utilize built-in tools.
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + F | Find in page |
| Cmd + R | Reload page |
| Shift + Cmd + R | Hard refresh page |
| Cmd + Plus | Zoom in |
| Cmd + Minus | Zoom out |
| Cmd + 0 | Reset zoom |
Finding text, refreshing, and zooming are made quick through these shortcuts rather than needing to find and click small buttons.
Space Shortcuts
Arc spaces allow grouping tabs into categories. These shortcuts help manage spaces:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Option + Cmd + N | New space |
| Cmd + Shift + E | Rename current space |
| Option + Cmd + Right/Left arrow | Switch between spaces |
The ability to swiftly create, rename, and navigate spaces keeps your tabs organized.
Application Shortcuts
Arc includes built-in applications to enhance browsing. These shortcuts access those tools:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + E | New easel |
| Cmd + Shift + N | New note |
| Cmd + Shift + C | Copy page URL without tracking |
Easels, notes, and Supercopy allow capturing inspiration, jotting down thoughts, and easily copying clean URLs as you browse.
Customization Shortcuts
Arc enables customizing shortcuts and settings to suit your preferences:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + , | Open preferences |
| Cmd + Shift + P | Open shortcuts |
Tweaking behaviors and shortcuts to match your workflow helps boost efficiency.
Accessibility Shortcuts
Arc provides shortcuts to aid accessibility:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Option + Cmd + M | Toggle Reader Mode |
| Cmd + Option + Z | Toggle High Contrast Mode |
Reader and high contrast modes help tailor browsing experiences for different needs.
Arc Max Shortcuts
Arc Max enables AI-powered enhancements using these shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Action |
| “/ Ask” | Access AI assistant |
| “/ Summary” | Get AI summary of page |
Leveraging AI can provide helpful insights as you browse.
Arc Browser Design
Understanding Arc’s design philosophy provides context on why certain shortcuts were implemented.
Most major browsers monetize through ads, tracking user data for targeting. Arc opts for a privacy-focused business model based on a subscription fee. This enabled designing Arc without needing to maximize addictive engagement.
Arc aims to serve as an “operating system for the web” – not just a portal for accessing websites, but a platform integrating web activities. The sidebar consolidates browsing tabs, built-in apps, and AI tools into one interface.
The minimal, vertical tab design contrasts most other browsers. It reduces visual clutter to help users focus. The customizable appearance enables personalization aligned with workflows.
Keyboard shortcuts complement this design, keeping interactions in the sidebar without needing to visually search across many open tabs. The ability to thoroughly customize shortcuts caters to unique browsing styles.
Understanding these philosophies provides insight into why Arc prioritizes certain shortcuts over conventional browser norms.
Most Useful Arc Shortcuts
While Arc offers many helpful keyboard shortcuts, these tend to see the most use:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + T | New tab |
| Cmd + W | Close tab |
| Cmd + Shift + T | Reopen closed tab |
| Cmd + L | Select address bar |
| Ctrl + Tab | Cycle recent tabs |
| Ctrl + [Number] | Select browser element |
These allow executing the most common tab management tasks without moving hands from the keyboard. memorizing these will benefit any Arc user.
Browsing Efficiently with Shortcuts
Coworkers or family may gawk at your tabs open across multiple windows and spaces. But you use Arc’s shortcuts to seamlessly navigate this browsing explosion.
For example, you keep a pinned Slack tab in space 1 for easy access. When messages come in, Ctrl + 1 instantly takes you there to respond.
You’re reviewing a document in space 4 when an urgent email arrives. Without thinking, Cmd + Shift + T reopens the Gmail tab in space 2 you’d closed earlier.
A coworker messages asking for a link you recently opened. Ctrl + Tab cycles back to find it, then Cmd + Shift + C copies the clean URL for sharing.
These shortcuts enable bouncing between different tasks and tabs without losing momentum. They demonstrate how mastering Arc’s keyboard shortcuts facilitates efficiency.
Complementary Add-Ons and Tools
Arc’s capabilities can be enhanced using extensions and external tools.
Raycast
Raycast is a powerful productivity app for macOS. It provides a Quick Search bar to swiftly perform tasks and access apps via keyboard shortcuts.
Raycast integrates deeply with Arc to boost efficiency. For example, custom Raycast commands can open specific Arc spaces or tabs with shortcuts. Raycast also offers convenient system tools like calculators and calendars without leaving Arc.
Bitwarden
Bitwarden is a popular open source password manager. It offers robust features for securely storing and accessing credentials.
Bitwarden integrates directly in Arc, allowing swift logins with auto-generated strong passwords. The Bitwarden browser extension enables lightning fast access to login details without interrupting workflows.
Linear
Linear is a modern issue tracking and project management app. It facilitates collaborative workflows through flexible boards, tasks, and integrations.
Arc offers deep Linear integration via the sidebar. New Linear issues can be instantly created and tracked alongside browsing tabs to streamline work.
1Password
1Password is a password manager similar to Bitwarden, providing a secure vault for logins, personal info, and other data.
1Password seamlessly integrates in Arc via an extension. Generating, storing, and inputting secure credentials while browsing helps boost both security and convenience.
The Bottom Line
Arc redefines web browsing by combining an intuitive sidebar interface with robust keyboard shortcuts. Mastering shortcuts unlocks efficiency gains not possible in other browsers.
Understanding the context Arc was designed in provides insight on why certain behaviors were implemented. But browsing ultimately depends on personal preferences.
Arc grants users the ability to mold shortcuts and settings to exactly match their style. Take time to explore Arc’s possibilities and develop customized workflows that boost productivity.
The shortcuts highlighted in this guide just scratch the surface of Arc’s capabilities. Consider it a starting point for building expertise and maximizing efficiency.
