Hey.
We are soon going to implement global keyboard shortcuts for Toggl Desktop. The first shortcuts include starting and stopping the current task and creating a new task.
What do you think should be the default key combinations for these actions? You can leave your opinion in the comments.
I think SPACE should definitely be the shortcut for starting/stopping the timer. For creating a new task CTRL+ENTER or CTRL+N (CMD for Macs).
When it comes to it, I hope it will be possible to use BACKSPACE to get to the task list then the ARROW keys and ENTER to select a different task to track. And TAB from the task description box straight to the Client-Project list. Then CTRL+T for tagging and CTRL+B for toggling billable.
Overall I’m with Ben. And heck yeah, do implement the keyboard shortcuts, it will be great!
On Windows the default key combos should be
Start/Stop : WINKEY + Space
New Task : WINKEY + T
Although these would need to be configurable.
Ctrl+ENTER would be a rubbish default as that is the Word shortcut for new page.
Sounds good to me. I like the space and ctrl+n/t/b idea, assuming this is only when Toggl has focus.
@Kev I think it’s best to stick to shift, control/command, and alt. I’m guessing ctrl+enter creates a new page only when Word has focus, so it wouldn’t conflict.
Thanks for the options so far. But lets think of global, system-wide shortcuts. For example, if you have Word in front of you, then which combination should start/stop the timer or create a new task. That way Toggl Desktop does not have to be in focus for the shortcuts to work.
I’d like to recommend the keyboard shortcuts implemented in rememberthemilk.com as a useful guide for toggl developers. i use both apps constantly and would love it if toggl were as easy to interact with as rtm.
The Winkey is particularly well-suited for global commands. I’d prefer win-space to start/stop a task, myself.
Is there any particular reason why you’re not just making them user-configurable?
Start Timer: CTRL-T
Stop Timer: CTRL-Q
New Task: CTRL-N
Simple and Logical. (T=timer, Q=quit timer, N=new task)
Hell yeah, shortcuts would be great! I use xmonad as WM and thrown away my mouse
I’m with Eric .. why can’t I configure the shortcuts?!
Jaanus, Keyboard shortcuts are for “power-users”. A power user is very particular his/her own personal setup. If you make your keyboard shortcuts a global thing, you MUST make them configurable, so that they don’t interfere with other shortcuts that a power-user might be attached to. Another option would be to keep the shortcuts local to the toggl app, and let the user make their own software manage global shortcuts. For example, as a Mac user, I use a program called Spark. It allows me to control everything from itunes/pandora, toggl, skype, thunderbird, etc with whatever global keyboard shortcuts I choose. I’m sure there’s an app like this for windows users. In short, make it configurable, or keep it local.
As earlier was offered, best practice – is configurable shortcuts (because conflicts wouldn’t keep waiting).
While I agree that power-users are the audience here, and that ultimately, any global shortcuts must be configurable, if defaults must be chosen, then Winkey combinations are best for Windows platforms. (And I’ll add my vote to @Kev’s for those combos.)
+1 for configurable, though I suspect you’re already planning that. It still makes sense to gather opinions on default keys.
Personally, I would rarely interact with toggl without it being in focus as I’m usually switching from one project to another and need to see what’s going on. My recommendations for hotkeys would be very different depending on if they were global or local.
Any progress on this feature?
I would love to have a global shortcut for the desktop app so that I can start/stop a project whenever someone pops into my office to ask a question, etc.
Hi Chris, we will release a new version of Toggl Desktop soon. It will feature keyboard shortcuts in some form.