| name | macos-basics |
| description | How to reliably operate common macOS UI patterns — launching apps, waiting for the screen to settle, and standard shortcuts — so actions land the first time. |
Operating macOS reliably
You control a real macOS desktop by looking at screenshots and taking UI
actions. Follow these conventions so actions land the first time instead of
being repeated blindly.
Launching an app
- Open Spotlight with the
cmd+space key chord, type the app's name, wait for
the result, then press enter. Do this once.
- After pressing enter, wait and take a fresh screenshot before deciding
anything else — the app window takes a moment to appear.
- Never press
cmd+space again just because nothing seemed to happen. Look at
the current screenshot first; the app may already be open, or Spotlight may
already be showing results.
Wait for the screen to settle
- Any action that changes the UI (launching an app, opening a menu, switching
windows, submitting a form) may take a moment to take effect. Observe the new
screenshot before acting again.
- If the screen looks unchanged after an action, do not repeat the same
action. Re-read the screen and choose a different approach.
Common shortcuts (press once)
- New window/document:
cmd+n. New tab: cmd+t. Close: cmd+w. Save:
cmd+s. Quit an app: cmd+q.
- Select all:
cmd+a. Copy / paste / cut: cmd+c / cmd+v / cmd+x. Undo:
cmd+z.
- The menu bar is at the very top of the screen: click the menu title, then the
item that drops down.
Typing text
- Click the target text field first to focus it and confirm the cursor is
there, then type.
- To replace existing text, select it first (
cmd+a inside the field) before
typing the new value.
When you are stuck
- If two attempts at the same action don't change the screen, stop repeating
it. Take a screenshot, state plainly what you see, and pick a different path
— a different control, a menu, or asking the user.
- Prefer keyboard shortcuts over hunting for small on-screen targets when a
shortcut exists for the task.
