Overview
How might we design contextual shortcuts so people can trust and act on AI output?
When to use
- Perfect for productivity tools, power-user applications, and platforms where context-aware shortcuts improve workflow efficiency and discoverability.
When to skip
- Changing shortcuts mid-task without showing the new map.
- Mobile products with no hardware keyboard.
- Contexts where muscle memory needs fixed bindings.
Rules
Rebinding keys silently when context switches.
Cheatsheet that lists every shortcut with no filter.
AI-suggested shortcuts with no confirm before bind.
Conflicts with OS shortcuts unmarked.
Evidence
| Product | Implementation |
|---|---|
| VS Code | When clauses on keybindings by editor language and view. |
| Figma | Tool-specific shortcuts while editing vs presenting. |
| Notion | Slash menu and shortcuts change by block type. |
| Linear | Issue view shortcuts vs inbox view shortcuts. |