This will work with almost any (non-modifier) key. You’ll find shift + ' to be a very common combo to type a double quote character and shift + / for a question mark.

This might seem obvious. But is it? And how can you use modifiers in your applications?

The terms “cut” and “paste” come from copy editing and traditional layout Paste-Up. This will remove the selected item or span of text and cut it away and store it in your computer’s “clipboard.”

Most commonly, you’ll select a piece of text and “copy” it to your clipboard. By default, maOS has only 1 slot to save things this way. From there, you can “paste” the content somewhere else. But this extends far beyond text. You can copy files and other things into your clipboard as well.

If you have something stored in your virtual clipboard you can “paste” is somewhere. This may be a span of text, a file, an entire webpage or text file, and many other things. The term comes from actual adhesive use in Paste-Up layout.

This command is universal but contextual. It will create a “new” something based on what program you are using.

In this case, try opening a new Finder window in the Finder.

Quickly create a new folder in whatever context you are in. If you are focused on the desktop, it will create a new folder there. If you are focused on a finder window, it will create it there.

You might also like to right-click to create a new folder.

This will bring up a list of your open apps and move to the next item in the list. It moves through the list to the right. To move in the opposite direction, try command + `

Start using this ASAP.

This will move the selected file to the “trash.” The trash is really just a folder. Nothing will be deleted until you “empty” the trash.

After you ditched a bunch of that unneeded stuff (thank you for your service), send it away!

You’ll get a little dialog and one last chance to change your mind. Hit return to make it official (not to return it).