# Keyboard shortcuts

> Every keyboard shortcut in Eisenhower Matrix for Todoist: move around the matrix, sort tasks with 1–4, complete, rename, set dates, and run Single Task Focus and the Pomodoro timer. Plus the mobile gestures.

Source: https://eisenhowertodoist.com/keyboard-shortcuts/ · Last updated: 2026-09-28

Eisenhower Matrix for Todoist can be run almost entirely from the keyboard: move around the matrix, sort tasks into quadrants with `1`–`4`, complete with `Space`, and work through a queue in Single Task Focus. In the app, press `?` in the Clean view to see the list.

## Matrix (Clean view)

Click a row first, or press `↓` to start; a ring shows the highlighted row. On a Mac, `⌘` works wherever `Ctrl` is listed.

**Move around**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `↑` `↓` or `J` `K` | Move within a quadrant; at the end, continue into the quadrant below |
| `←` `→` or `H` `L` | Jump to the quadrant beside |
| `E` | Expand the quadrant to full width; `E` or `Esc` returns |
| `V` | Switch between the Clean and Classic views (works in both) |
| `?` | Show or hide the full shortcut list |
| `Esc` | Close the expanded quadrant, or clear the highlighted row |

**Act on the highlighted row**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `Space` | Complete the task (with Undo) |
| `1`–`4` | Move to Do First, Schedule, Delegate or Backlog, with Undo. Moves every selected task if the row is selected |
| `Enter` | Open the task in Single Task Focus |
| `D` | Set the due date |
| `Shift` `D` | Set the deadline |
| `C` | Open the task’s Todoist comments |
| `R` or `F2` | Rename the task (you can also double-click the title) |
| `X` | Select or deselect the task |
| `Shift` `X` | Select a range in the quadrant, from the last task you selected with X to this one |
| `N` | Add a new task to this quadrant |
| `Delete` or `Backspace` | Delete the task, with Undo for 6 seconds. A recurring task or a task with subtasks asks first |

**Mouse**

| Action | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `Ctrl` + click | Select tasks (`⌘` + click on a Mac), then move them with `1`–`4` or the bar at the bottom |
| Click a quadrant header | Fold or unfold the quadrant |
| Double-click a quadrant header | Expand the quadrant |
| Double-click a task title | Rename the task |

**While renaming or adding a task**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `Enter` | Save the new name, or add the new task (clicking away also saves a name) |
| `Esc` | Cancel: keep the old name, or discard the new task |

## Categorize

The Categorize sheet steps through tasks that have no quadrant yet. Holding a number key sorts only one task, never the ones after it.

**Sorting unsorted tasks**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `1`–`4` | Sort the task into Do First, Schedule, Delegate or Backlog |
| `←` | Back to the previous task |
| `→` | Skip this task for now |

## Single Task Focus and the Pomodoro timer

Press `Enter` on a task to open it in Single Task Focus. These keys take priority over the matrix shortcuts underneath.

**In Single Task Focus**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `Space` | Complete the task; the next task in the queue slides in |
| `U` | Undo the completion (for five seconds) |
| `←` `→` | Previous or next task in the queue |
| `P` | Pause or resume; during a break, or when it is over, start the next round |
| `B` | Start a break when a round is done, skip a running break, or start the next round |
| `E` | Open or close the note (saved to Todoist as a comment when it closes) |
| `R` | Show or hide related tasks |
| `/` or `⌘` `K` / `Ctrl` `K` | Search the tasks in this queue |
| `Esc` | Close search, then the note; otherwise exit focus with a session summary |

**In the search palette**

| Keys | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `↑` `↓` | Move through the results |
| `Enter` | Focus the chosen task (the timer keeps running) |
| `Esc` | Close search |

![Single Task Focus with its key hints along the bottom: arrows to navigate, Space to complete, R related, E notes, P pause, Esc exit.](https://eisenhowertodoist.com/assets-static/img/single-task-focus-pomodoro.webp)

*The key hints are always shown at the bottom of the focus card.*

## Mobile gestures

On a phone there is no keyboard, so the main actions are gestures. A one-time card in the app teaches the first three.

**Touch**

| Gesture | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Swipe a task right | Complete it |
| Swipe a task left | Snooze it to tomorrow (recurring tasks are rescheduled in Todoist instead) |
| Press and hold a task | More options: complete, move to a quadrant, due date, deadline, open in Todoist |
| Swipe sideways in focus | Previous or next task in Single Task Focus |

## Tips

- Shortcuts are ignored while you type in a field, and while a dialog or menu is open, so they never fire by accident.
- The hint strip above the Clean matrix can be hidden once you know the keys; `?` and the keyboard button still open the full list.
- A fast morning routine: open the daily review, then `Enter` on your first focus task, `Space` to complete, and let the queue carry you to the next one.

More about each feature on the [features page](https://eisenhowertodoist.com/features/).