Mozilla Thunderbird keyboard shortcuts

Thunderbird changes its shortcut set with the active pane, so a key can select text while composing and messages while browsing a folder. This reference groups the documented mail, search, navigation, composing, address book, and calendar defaults without hiding those context changes.

Windows, macOS, Linux · 55 shortcuts

Messages

Use these commands to compose, reply, read, mark, move, and remove messages from the message list or an open message.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Start a new messageCtrlMCmdNCtrlM
Reply to the senderCtrlRCmdRCtrlR
Reply to all recipientsCtrlShiftRCmdShiftRCtrlShiftR
Reply to the listCtrlShiftLCmdShiftLCtrlShiftL
Forward a messageCtrlLCmdLCtrlL
Archive the selected messageAAA
Mark a message read or unreadMMM
Mark a thread readRRR
Mark a message as junkJJJ
Add or remove a starSSS
Delete the selected messageDeleteDeleteDelete
Save a message as a fileCtrlSCmdSCtrlS
Undo the last actionCtrlZCmdZCtrlZ
Redo the last actionCtrlYCmdYCtrlY

Search and navigation

Search messages, move between unread items, switch panes and tabs, and open the main Thunderbird areas from the keyboard.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open the Quick Filter barCtrlShiftKCmdShiftKCtrlShiftK
Find text in the current messageCtrlFCmdFCtrlF
Go to the next messageFFF
Go to the previous messageBBB
Go to the next unread messageNNN
Go to the previous unread messagePPP
Go to the next unread threadTTT
Go to the first messageHomeHomeHome
Go to the last messageEndEndEnd
Move to the next tabCtrlTabCmdOptionRightCtrlTab
Move to the previous tabCtrlShiftTabCmdOptionLeftCtrlShiftTab
Open the address bookCtrlShiftBCmdShiftBCtrlShiftB
Open developer toolsCtrlShiftICmdOptionICtrlShiftI
Restore the most recently closed tabCtrlShiftTCmdShiftTCtrlShiftT

Writing messages

These commands apply in the compose window. The same key can have a different meaning in the message list, so keep the compose context in mind.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Save a draftCtrlSCmdSCtrlS
Send the message nowCtrlEnterCmdReturnCtrlEnter
Send the message laterCtrlShiftEnterCmdShiftReturnCtrlShiftEnter
Paste as a quotationCtrlShiftOCmdShiftOCtrlShiftO
Paste without formattingCtrlShiftVCmdShiftVCtrlShiftV
Attach a fileCtrlShiftACmdShiftACtrlShiftA
Apply bold stylingCtrlBCmdBCtrlB
Apply italic stylingCtrlICmdICtrlI
Apply underline stylingCtrlUCmdUCtrlU
Increase the indentCtrl]Cmd]Ctrl]
Decrease the indentCtrl[Cmd[Ctrl[

Calendar and address book

Thunderbird's calendar and address book use the same desktop modifier pattern but add their own tabs, records, and date navigation commands.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Create a new address book contactCtrlNCmdNCtrlN
Edit contact or address book propertiesCtrlICmdICtrlI
Open the calendar tabCtrl3Cmd3Ctrl3
Open the tasks tabCtrl4Cmd4Ctrl4
Create a new eventCtrlICmdICtrlI
Create a new taskCtrlDCmdDCtrlD
Go to the next day, week, multiweek, or month]]]
Go to the previous day, week, multiweek, or month[[[
Clear the current calendar or task filterEscapeEscapeEscape
Copy the selected calendar itemCtrlCCmdCCtrlC
Paste a calendar itemCtrlVCmdVCtrlV

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