Markdown Shortcuts & Slash Menu

Write faster with markdown shortcuts and the powerful slash command menu.

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Overview

Speed up your writing with two powerful features:

⌨️ Markdown Shortcuts: Type special characters to instantly create blocks / Slash Menu: Command palette to insert any block type

Both methods are faster than clicking buttons and keep your hands on the keyboard!

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Markdown Shortcuts

What Are They?

Type a pattern at the start of a line, then press Space to convert the block:

Type: # Hello        Result: Creates H1 heading
Type: - Item         Result: Creates bulleted list  
Type: [] Task        Result: Creates todo checkbox

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Complete Shortcuts List

Type This	+ Space	Result
#	Space	Heading 1 (H1)
##	Space	Heading 2 (H2)
###	Space	Heading 3 (H3)
-	Space	Bulleted list item
*	Space	Bulleted list item
1.	Space	Numbered list item
[]	Space	Todo checkbox (unchecked)
[x]	Space	Todo checkbox (checked)
>	Space	Block quote
``` ` ``	Space	Code block
---	Enter	Divider (horizontal rule)

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Step-by-Step Examples

Creating a Heading

1. Start with empty block or new line
2. Type: ##
3. Press: Space
4. Type your heading text
5. Result: Text becomes H2 heading

Before:  ## My Section
After:   My Section (styled as H2)

Creating a List

1. Start with empty block
2. Type: -
3. Press: Space
4. Type list item text
5. Press: Enter for next item
6. Next item is automatically bulleted

Type: - First item [Space]
      - Second item [Space]
      - Third item [Space]

Result:
• First item
• Second item
• Third item

Creating a Todo

1. Type: []
2. Press: Space
3. Type task description
4. Press: Enter for next task

Type: [] Buy milk [Space]
      [] Walk dog [Space]

Result:
☐ Buy milk
☐ Walk dog

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Inline Formatting Shortcuts

These work anywhere in text (not just at line start):

Type This	Result	Example
**text**	Bold	**hello** → hello
*text*	Italic	*hello* → hello
__text__	Underline	__hello__ → hello
~~text~~	Strikethrough	~~hello~~ → hello
`text`	Code	`hello` → hello

How they work:

1. Type opening marker
2. Type your text
3. Type closing marker
4. Formatting applies automatically

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The Slash Menu

What Is It?

A searchable command palette that lets you insert any block type:

Type: /
Shows: [List of all block types]
Search: h1
Shows: [Only heading options]
Select: Enter

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How to Use

Basic Usage

1. Open menu: Type / in an empty block
2. See options: Full list of block types appears
3. Select: Click or use arrows + Enter
4. Block created: Ready to type content

With Search

1. Type / to open menu
2. Keep typing to filter: /h shows headings
3. Use arrow keys to select
4. Press Enter to insert

Type: /h      → Filters to h1, h2, h3
Type: /todo   → Jumps to todo checkbox
Type: /code   → Jumps to code block

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Complete Command List

Type	Description	Creates
/paragraph	Regular text	Paragraph block
/h1	Large heading	Heading 1
/h2	Medium heading	Heading 2
/h3	Small heading	Heading 3
/bullet	Bulleted list	Bulleted list
/number	Numbered list	Numbered list
/todo	Checkbox	Todo item
/callout	Highlighted box	Callout
/divider	Section break	Divider
/quote	Block quote	Quote
/code	Code block	Code block
/image	Upload image	Image block

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Navigation in Slash Menu

Keyboard controls:

• ↑ / ↓ : Move selection up/down
• Enter : Insert selected block
• Esc : Close menu without inserting
• Backspace : Clear search / close menu

Mouse:

• Hover to highlight option
• Click to insert

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Choosing: Shortcuts vs Slash Menu

Use Markdown Shortcuts When:

✅ You know exactly what you want ✅ It's a common block type (heading, list, todo) ✅ You want maximum speed ✅ You're comfortable with markdown

Example workflow:

# Title [Space]
Intro paragraph
## Section [Space]
- Point one [Space]
- Point two [Space]
[] Action item [Space]

Use Slash Menu When:

✅ You're not sure of the exact block type ✅ You want to browse options ✅ It's a less common block (callout, divider) ✅ You prefer visual selection

Example workflow:

/h1 [Enter] → Title
Regular typing → Intro
/h2 [Enter] → Section
/call [Enter] → Important note

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Pro Tips

Combine Both Methods

Fast writers mix both:

# Main Title              ← Shortcut
Intro text
/callout                  ← Slash menu (less common)
**Important** note        ← Inline formatting
## Next Section           ← Shortcut
- Item 1                  ← Shortcut
/image                    ← Slash menu (upload)

Learn Common Shortcuts First

Master these 5:

1. # → Heading 1
2. ## → Heading 2
3. - → Bulleted list
4. [] → Todo
5. ``` ` `` → Code block

Then gradually add more!

Use Search Effectively

Smart searching:

• Type first letter: /h (headings), /c (code/callout)
• Type full name: /todo
• Partial match works: /bul finds bullet

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Common Workflows

Writing a Document

# Document Title [Space]
Overview paragraph here

## Introduction [Space]
More text

/divider [Enter]

## Main Content [Space]
- Key point 1 [Space]
- Key point 2 [Space]
- Key point 3 [Space]

Creating a Task List

# Sprint Tasks [Space]

## High Priority [Space]
[] Complete user testing [Space]
[] Fix critical bug [Space]
[] Deploy to production [Space]

## Medium Priority [Space]
[] Update documentation [Space]
[] Refactor code [Space]

Technical Documentation

# API Documentation [Space]

## Installation [Space]
``` ` [Space]
npm install my-package

Usage [Space]

/callout [Enter] Note: Requires Node.js 16+

Example [Space]

``` ` [Space] const api = require('my-package');

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## Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

| Action | Keys |
|--------|------|
| Open slash menu | `/` |
| Navigate menu | `↑` `↓` |
| Select from menu | `Enter` |
| Close menu | `Esc` |
| Apply markdown | `Space` after pattern |
| Undo conversion | `Cmd/Ctrl + Z` |

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## Troubleshooting

### Shortcut not working?

**Causes**:
- Not at start of line (for block shortcuts)
- Didn't press Space after pattern
- Already have text before the shortcut

**Solution**:
- Start fresh block
- Type pattern first
- Then press Space

### Slash menu not appearing?

**Causes**:
- Not in empty block
- Already have text in block
- Not in Edit mode

**Solution**:
- Press Enter to create new block
- Delete existing text first
- Switch to Edit mode

### Wrong block type created?

**Solution**:
- Press `Cmd/Ctrl + Z` to undo
- Try again or use slash menu

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## Advanced Tips

### Inline Formatting While Typing

**Flow**:

I need to emphasize this point and add code inline.

**Result**:
I need to **emphasize** this point and add `code` inline.

**Tip**: Formatting applies when you type closing marker!

### Chain Shortcuts

**Fast list creation**:

• Item 1 [Space] [Enter] → Automatically creates "- "
• Item 2 [Space] [Enter]
• Item 3 [Space]

### Convert Existing Text

1. Select existing text
2. Type `/` to open menu
3. Choose block type
4. Text converts to new type

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## Cheat Sheet

**Print and keep handy**:

HEADINGS LISTS SPECIAL

H1 - Bullet [] Todo

H2 1. Number > Quote

H3 ``` Code

                              --- Divider

INLINE FORMAT bold italic underline
strike code

SLASH MENU / → Open menu ↑↓ → Navigate
Enter → Insert Esc → Close

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**Related Guides**:
- [Working with Blocks](./blocks-guide.md)
- [Text Formatting](./text-formatting.md)
- [Keyboard Shortcuts Reference](../04-advanced/keyboard-shortcuts.md)