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# System prepended metadata

title: 101 mac and terminal tips

---

# 101 mac and terminal tips

let's come up with an array of tips for using our macs (and if we have time the Terminal) for undergrads.

1. `command` + `space` = launch spotlight, then type in the app you want to launch and hit enter
2. you can also open documents and scripts using spotlight 
3. if you want to change spotlight preferences, go to "System Preferences", then "Spotlight", then uncheck the things you don't want to search for
4. `command` + `f` in pretty much any app to search for where terms appear on the page
5. When using `command` + `f`, you can use `command` + `g` to move forward through your search results.
6. Meanwhile, `command `+ `g` + `shift` moves backwards through `command` +`f` results
7. command + tab cycles through the apps you have open
8. relatedly, if you "arm" your cursor with a file you are dragging around, you can command tab over to the app you want to drop this file into
9. `command` + `` ` `` will cycle through the windows you have open in one and the same app
10. four finger drag up moves everything out of the way
11. (LL only--maybe let's debate this as a policy) two finger tap is right-click
12. (LL only--three finger drag will drag files etc.). If you want to change this in code, use this line

```
defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad TrackpadThreeFingerDrag -bool true
```

11. Split screen by hovering over the green button in the top left hand corner of the app, then choose "Tile Window to Left of Screen"
12. four finger swipe left and right to go from space to space
13. command + shift + 4 to create screenshot
14. if two apps are full screen, swipe four fingers up and then you can drag one on top of the other's desktop icon to split screen
15. bookmarking in Safari and Chrome (`command` + `d`)
16. in finder command shift n = new window5
17. command + shift + v in google docs = paste with styling6
18. command + shift + v in fcpx = paste properties of old clip to new clip7
19. hover over things to see what the shortcut is!8
20. `command` + `T` new tab
22. `option` or `option` + `shift` gives access to different suites of characters
23. `command` + `w` to close window or tab
24. `command` + `n` for new window in most cases
25. `command` + `h` for hiding all windows in your currently open app
26. `command` + `p` to access print settings
27. `command` + `y` to access history
28. `command` + `+` to zoom in
29. `command` + `-` to zoom out
30. `command` + `control` + `space` to access Emojis 😊😾🤰🏽
31. `command` + `shift` + `n` new incognito window
32.  `command` + `left arrow` goes back to last page
33.  `command` + `right arrow` goes forward to next page
34. Hot Corners (system preferences -> hot corners) for certain actions e.g. sleep, lock screen, application windows, mission control, desktop
35. `command` + `r` to refresh the page
36. `command` +`\` to remove all formatting
37. go to settings if you want to see your passwords
38. `command` + number switch to that number tab
39. go to display settings, turn on night shift settings, that's the way to get night shift on all day (by changing on/off times)
40. go to keyboard shortcuts to change shortcuts
41. `command` + `c` for copy
42. `command` + `v` for paste
43. `command` + `x` for cut
44. `command` + `a` for all
45. `option` + `arrows` to jump word by word
46. `option` + `shift` + `arrows` to select word by word
47. command shift arrows to select lines
48. fn + delete for forward delete
49. go to dock click and hold to quit
50. activity monitor to see open apps, you can force quit from there
51. finder hit enter with something selected to rename
52. command + shift + 3 for full screen screenshot
53. command + shift + 5 shows you a little square and you can drag it (and you can screen record from there)
54. `command` + `,` to access preferences of all apps
55. go to sound settings to determine where your sound is getting sent
56. command Q for quit
57. shift select and command select for selecting multiple files

In terminal...
58. `ls` to list everything in current directory
59. within the LL remember `youtube-dl` is installed for downloading from youtube
60. and `gif` is installed for making gifs from short videos
61. `pwd` to get current working directory
62. `cd` + filepath to move to another directory
63. `cd` + `..` to move one folder "upwards" in hierarchy (e.g. from Desktop back to user folder)
64. `clear` to clear the terminal window


![alt text](https://files.slack.com/files-pri/T0HTW3H0V-F046M0N3JGK/demo-gif_360.gif?pub_secret=7a1577ef9d)


![alt text](https://files.slack.com/files-pri/T0HTW3H0V-F046M56TB7C/dance-mom-for-gif_360.gif?pub_secret=b2ebb5913e)