macos-basics

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.