ChatGPT & Google Gemini AI Keyboard Shortcuts Guide (2026)

Q: How do I open a new chat in ChatGPT using keyboard shortcuts?

Press Ctrl + Shift + O (or Cmd + Shift + O on Mac) to start a new chat in ChatGPT.

Q: How do I trigger Google Gemini workspace extensions?

Type @ in the Gemini prompt box to trigger extensions for Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and Maps.

Q: How do I insert a line break without sending my prompt in ChatGPT?

Press Shift + Enter to add a line break without sending your message.

Why Master AI Assistant Keyboard Shortcuts?

Using keyboard shortcuts in ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) and Google Gemini (gemini.google.com) drastically reduces context switching. Instead of mouse-clicking through sidebars, switching models, copying code snippets, or editing previous prompts manually, hotkeys let you interact with AI models at the speed of thought.

Below is our comprehensive, multi-platform hotkey cheatsheet updated for ChatGPT 4.5 / o3 and Google Gemini 2.0 models.

ChatGPT Keyboard Shortcuts (Web & Desktop Apps)

Verified for ChatGPT Web, macOS Desktop, and Windows 11 Desktop Apps.

Open New Chat Conversation:
Ctrl + Shift + O (Mac: ⌘+Shift+O)
Toggle Sidebar Menu:
Ctrl + Shift + S (Mac: ⌘+Shift+S)
Focus Prompt Chat Input Box:
Shift + Esc
Copy Last Generated Code Block:
Ctrl + Shift + C (Mac: ⌘+Shift+C)
Copy Entire Last Response Text:
Ctrl + Shift + Y (Mac: ⌘+Shift+Y)
Search Past Chat History (Desktop Companion):
Ctrl + K (Mac: ⌘+K)
Insert Multiline Break without Sending Prompt:
Shift + Enter

Google Gemini Shortcuts & Workspace Extensions

Work faster in Google Gemini with extension triggers (@) and navigation keys.

Trigger Gemini Extensions (@Gmail, @Drive, @YouTube, @Maps):
@
Start New Gemini Conversation:
Alt + Shift + N (Mac: Opt+Shift+N)
Cycle Through Alternative Response Drafts:
Ctrl + Shift + D
Focus Prompt Box immediately:
/

Markdown & Prompt Text Formatting Shortcuts

Use markdown syntax directly inside your prompts to structure queries for better AI reasoning:

Bold Text:
**text**
Italic Text:
*text*
Inline Code Snippet:
`code`
Multi-line Code Block:
```language ... ```

ChatGPT vs Google Gemini: Power User Hacks

ChatGPT Power Hacks

• Use Canvas mode for live side-by-side document and code editing.
• Press Cmd + K on Mac to open instant companion overlay bar.
• Customize Custom Instructions to enforce concise outputs.

Google Gemini Power Hacks

• Type @ in your prompt to pull live data from @Gmail or @Drive.
• Use Double-Check Response to cross-verify claims against Google Search.
• Export answers straight into Google Docs or Gmail Drafts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I open a new chat in ChatGPT using keyboard shortcuts?

Press Ctrl + Shift + O (or ⌘ + Shift + O on Mac) while in the ChatGPT web or desktop app to start a new chat session immediately.

How do I trigger Google Gemini workspace extensions?

Type the @ symbol in the prompt input field. A popup menu will appear allowing you to select extensions like @Gmail, @Google Drive, @YouTube, or @Google Maps.

How do I insert a line break without sending my prompt in ChatGPT?

Press Shift + Enter to insert a new line in the chat box without submitting your query.

ChatGPT & Google Gemini Shortcuts Guide