Keyboard secrets (Mac)

Macbook keyboard

Command Key (Cmd) ⌘

The Command key is the main key used for the most common shortcuts in your keyboard. In earlier generations of Mac, this key had the apple logo in it, now it has its unique looping symbol called the Bowen knot.

NOTE: This key is often compared to the Control key of the Windows system (because for Windows, the control key is the key we use for common shortcuts) but when you are using things like the Terminal or (Check for arduino and other programing software if they need the control key) you need to use the actual control Key instead of command to preform some tasks.

Option Key (Opt or Alt Key) ⌥

The option key acts as an alternative modifier. The symbol that represents this key is supposed to represent this, by mimicking a switch in paths. If Command key represents basic actions, the Option key allaws you to access alternative or hidden choices. (Hidden menus, advanced commands, different special characters)

NOTE: You might have noticed that your keyboard has two Command keys as well as two Option keys, one at each side of the space bar. They perform the exact same actions, and are only placed like that for ergonomics and typing efficiency.

Control Key (Ctrl) ⌃

The control key is primarily reserved for contextual menus, secondary OS shortcuts and terminal commands. This one is mainly used by developers for Terminal use and for accessibility navigation.

NOTE: Remember, the control key on a Mac does not have the same use than in a Windows keyboard. Be aware of this when following tutorials online.

Function key (FN or Globe)

The Function key, which also doubles as the global key on all modern Macbooks is a hardware level toggle. This means that by pressing this key, you have access to controls from your system. You can see on the top of your keyboard that the function keys (F1, F2, etc) have other system functions attached to them, such as brigthness, volumme, spotlight, mission control, etc. Pressing the function key allows us to access the traditional function keys. If you want to know more about the FN + function keys behaviour, see this.

Useful accesibility tool:

If you use the command and option key more on one side than in the other, you can personalize specific developer tools to the ones you do not use as often and change their utility.