Slack keyboard shortcuts
Slack shortcuts are most useful when the conversation is moving quickly. Switch channels, act on messages, start or leave huddles, and reach workspace controls without leaving the keyboard.
Slack shortcuts matter most when a conversation is moving faster than the sidebar. Start with navigation, then learn message actions and huddle controls so you can keep participating without losing the thread.
Messages
Act on the selected message, open a thread, add a reaction, and format a reply.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit your last message in the current channel | CtrlUp | CmdUp | CtrlUp |
| Mark everything in the current view as read | Esc | Esc | Esc |
| Mark every message as read | ShiftEsc | ShiftEsc | ShiftEsc |
| Add a reaction to the selected message | CtrlShift\ | CmdShift\ | CtrlShift\ |
| Show the message formatting toolbar | CtrlShiftF | CmdShiftF | CtrlShiftF |
Calls and huddles
Start, join, mute, leave, or manage a huddle while keeping the conversation open.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toggle mute on a call or huddle | CtrlShiftSpace | CmdShiftSpace | CtrlShiftSpace |
| Toggle video on a call | CtrlShiftV | CmdShiftV | CtrlShiftV |
| Raise or lower your hand | CtrlShiftR | CmdShiftR | CtrlShiftR |
Workspace
Open search, preferences, help, and workspace-level controls from the keyboard.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the keyboard shortcuts list | Ctrl/ | Cmd/ | Ctrl/ |
| Open preferences | Ctrl, | Cmd, | Ctrl, |
| Toggle the sidebar | CtrlShiftD | CmdShiftD | CtrlShiftD |
Make the useful keys stick
Slack gets quieter when navigation and message actions happen without a sidebar hunt. Learn the few keys that match your busiest conversations, and leave the rest here for the next huddle or thread.
You do not need this whole page in your head. Pick two shortcuts that remove a repeated hand movement, use them until they feel ordinary, and come back for the next pair.