Pro Tools shortcuts: playback, recording, edit modes, MIDI

Search and shortcut focus

Open Pro Tools search, inspect shortcut assignments, and enable command focus in the Edit or Groups List window.

Action	Shortcuts
Enable or disable Edit window Commands Keyboard Focus	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `1` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `1`
Move keyboard focus to the Groups List	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `3` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `3`
Open Pro Tools Search	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `S` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `S`
Open the Keyboard Shortcuts window	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `K` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `K`
Execute the selected search result	Windows / macOS`Return`
Move through search resultsDown Arrow moves in the opposite direction.	Windows / macOS`Up Arrow`

Playback

Start, stop, loop, pause, and move playback around the Edit selection with these Pro Tools transport commands.

Action	Shortcuts
Start or stop playback	Windows / macOS`Space`
Play at half speed	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `Space`
Pause and pre-prime the deck	Windows`Start` then `Space` macOS`Control` + `Space`
Enable or disable online playback	Windows`Ctrl` + `J` macOS`Cmd` + `J`
Play the Edit selection	Windows`Alt` + `[` macOS`Option` + `[`
Toggle loop playback	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `L` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `L`
Toggle Dynamic Transport Mode	Windows`Ctrl` + `Start` then `P` macOS`Cmd` + `Control` + `P`
Toggle the transport master	Windows`Ctrl` + `\` macOS`Cmd` + `\`
Center on the selection start or endRight Arrow centers on the opposite end when the selection exceeds the window.	Windows / macOS`Left Arrow`

Recording

Start and stop recording, switch recording modes, and set loop or punch behavior from the Pro Tools transport.

Action	Shortcuts
Start recordingF12 and numeric keypad 3 are also documented alternatives.	Windows`Ctrl` + `Space` macOS`Cmd` + `Space`
Stop recording and discard the take	Windows`Ctrl` + `.` macOS`Cmd` + `.`
Record at half speedShift+F12 is also documented.	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Space` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `Space`
Enable or disable online record	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Space` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `Space`
Toggle loop record	Windows`Alt` + `L` macOS`Option` + `L`
Toggle TrackPunchAvailable in Pro Tools Ultimate only.	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `T` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `T`
Toggle QuickPunch	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `P` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `P`
Play or stop in numeric keypad transport modeSelect Numeric Keypad: Transport in Operations Preferences first.	Windows / macOS`0`
Rewind in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`1`
Fast forward in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`2`
Enable recording in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`3`
Toggle loop playback in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`4`
Toggle loop record in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`5`
Toggle QuickPunch in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`6`
Toggle click in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`7`
Toggle countoff in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`8`
Toggle MIDI Merge or Replace in numeric keypad transport mode	Windows / macOS`9`

Edit modes and tools

Choose an Edit mode or tool, cycle modes, and switch Snap to Grid with the computer-keyboard commands in the Avid guide.

Action	Shortcuts
Use Shuffle mode	Windows / macOS`F1`
Use Slip mode	Windows / macOS`F2`
Use Spot mode	Windows / macOS`F3`
Use Grid mode	Windows / macOS`F4`
Enable Snap to Grid while in another Edit mode	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `F4`
Cycle through Edit modes	Windows / macOS`'`
Cycle through Edit tools	Windows / macOS`Escape`
Use the Zoomer tool	Windows / macOS`F5`
Use the Trimmer tool	Windows / macOS`F6`
Use the Selector tool	Windows / macOS`F7`
Use the Grabber tool	Windows / macOS`F8`
Use the Scrubber tool	Windows / macOS`F9`
Use the Pencil tool	Windows / macOS`F10`
Use the Smart Tool	Windows`Ctrl` + `7` macOS`Cmd` + `7`

Move the Edit cursor, extend selections, jump between clips, and return to session boundaries with the documented navigation keys.

Action	Shortcuts
Enable or disable Tab to Transients	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `T` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `Tab`
Locate the cursor to the next transientTab to Transients must be enabled.	Windows / macOS`Tab`
Locate the cursor to the previous transientTab to Transients must be enabled.	Windows`Ctrl` + `Tab` macOS`Option` + `Tab`
Go to and select the next clip	Windows`Start` then `Tab` macOS`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Go to and select the previous clip	Windows`Ctrl` + `Start` then `Tab` macOS`Ctrl` + `Option` + `Tab`
Go to the song start	Windows`Start` then `Enter` macOS`Ctrl` + `Return`
Return to the start of the session	Windows`Enter` macOS`Return`
Go to the end of the session	Windows`Ctrl` + `Enter` macOS`Option` + `Return`
Extend the selection to the start of the session	Windows`Shift` + `Enter` macOS`Shift` + `Return`
Extend the selection to the end of the session	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Enter` macOS`Option` + `Shift` + `Return`
Extend the selection to the next clip boundary	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `Tab`
Extend the selection to the previous clip boundary	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab` macOS`Option` + `Shift` + `Tab`
Link Timeline and Edit selection	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `/`
Link Track and Edit selection	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `T`
Move insertion to the beginning of the Edit selection	Windows / macOS`Down Arrow`
Move insertion to the end of the Edit selection	Windows / macOS`Up Arrow`

Editing, nudging, and trimming

Nudge selections, trim clips, duplicate clips, and remove playlist content with the current Edit window commands.

Action	Shortcuts
Change the Grid value	Windows`Start` then `Alt` + `+` macOS`Control` + `Option` + `+`
Change the Nudge value	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `+` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `+`
Nudge the Edit selection back	Windows / macOS`Numpad -`
Nudge the Edit selection forward	Windows / macOS`Numpad +`
Trim the left edge of a clip	Windows`Alt` + `+` macOS`Option` + `+`
Trim the right edge of a clip	Windows`Ctrl` + `+` macOS`Cmd` + `+`
Delete the selection in the playlistBackspace is also documented.	Windows / macOS`Delete`
Snap a clip to the next clip	Windows`Alt` + `Start` then `.` macOS`Option` + `Control` + `.`
Snap a clip to the previous clip	Windows`Alt` + `Start` then `,` macOS`Option` + `Control` + `,`

MIDI and clip gain

Transpose MIDI notes, adjust velocity, move note selection, and edit clip gain with the Pro Tools editor shortcuts.

Action	Shortcuts
Transpose a MIDI note up one semitone	Windows / macOS`Up Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note down one semitone	Windows / macOS`Down Arrow`
Copy and transpose a MIDI note up one semitone	Windows`Alt` + `Up Arrow` macOS`Option` + `Up Arrow`
Copy and transpose a MIDI note down one semitone	Windows`Alt` + `Down Arrow` macOS`Option` + `Down Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note up one octave	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `Up Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note down one octave	Windows / macOS`Shift` + `Down Arrow`
Increase velocity by five	Windows`Ctrl` + `Up Arrow` macOS`Cmd` + `Up Arrow`
Decrease velocity by five	Windows`Ctrl` + `Down Arrow` macOS`Cmd` + `Down Arrow`
Show or hide the Clip Gain line	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `-` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `-`
Add a Clip Gain breakpoint	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `E` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `E`
Clear Clip Gain	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `B` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `B`
Cut Clip Gain	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `X` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `X`
Copy Clip Gain	Windows`Start` then `Shift` + `C` macOS`Control` + `Shift` + `C`

Dashboard and menus

Open sessions, save work, and use the core Pro Tools menu commands from the dashboard and application menus.

Action	Shortcuts
Open the Dashboard	Windows`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `O` macOS`Cmd` + `Option` + `O`
Create a new session	Windows`Ctrl` + `N` macOS`Cmd` + `N`
Open a session	Windows`Ctrl` + `O` macOS`Cmd` + `O`
Close the current session	Windows`Ctrl` + `W` macOS`Cmd` + `W`
Save the session	Windows`Ctrl` + `S` macOS`Cmd` + `S`
Save the session as	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `S` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `S`
Quit Pro Tools	Windows`Alt` + `F4` macOS`Cmd` + `Q`
Undo	Windows`Ctrl` + `Z` macOS`Cmd` + `Z`
Redo	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Z` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `Z`
Cut	Windows`Ctrl` + `X` macOS`Cmd` + `X`
Copy	Windows`Ctrl` + `C` macOS`Cmd` + `C`
Paste	Windows`Ctrl` + `V` macOS`Cmd` + `V`
Select all	Windows`Ctrl` + `A` macOS`Cmd` + `A`
Deselect all	Windows`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `A` macOS`Cmd` + `Shift` + `A`
Find	Windows`Ctrl` + `F` macOS`Cmd` + `F`

Source

official Avid Pro Tools Shortcuts Guide · Checked Sep 1, 2026

Avid Pro Tools Shortcuts Guide 2025.10, created September 22, 2025, checked September 1, 2026. Pro Tools lets users customize most commands, and some rows require Pro Tools Ultimate, Studio, a numeric keypad, or a particular transport mode.

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