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CleanShot X shortcuts for Mac

55 shortcuts · 8 categories

CleanShot X is an all-in-one screenshot and screen recording software that offers a clutter-free and user-friendly experience, providing tools for annotations, scrolling captures, and quick sharing, making it the ultimate tool for capturing and communicating your screen activities. Download CleanShot X

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Mac keyboard shortcuts for CleanShot X

Annotate tools

Annotate

General

  • All-In-OneCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Toggle Desktop IconsCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Pin to the ScreenCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Open Capture HistoryCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Restore Last CaptureCustomize in CleanShot X

Screenshots

  • Capture AreaCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Previous AreaCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture FullscreenCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture WindowCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Self-TimerCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Area & Copy to ClipboardCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Area & SaveCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Area & Upload to CloudCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Area & AnnotateCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Area & Pin to the ScreenCustomize in CleanShot X

Screen Recording

  • Record Screen / Stop RecordingCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Select WindowCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Start Video RecordingCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Start GIF RecordingCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Pause/Resume RecordingCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Restart RecordingCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Toggle Camera FullscreenCustomize in CleanShot X

Scrolling Capture

  • Scrolling CaptureCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Start/Stop CapturingCustomize in CleanShot X

OCR

  • Capture TextCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Text With Line BreaksCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Capture Text Without Line BreaksCustomize in CleanShot X

Quick Access Overlay

  • Hide/Show OverlaysCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Save All OverlaysCustomize in CleanShot X
  • Close All OverlaysCustomize in CleanShot X

Download Keyboard Cheat Sheet for CleanShot X for Mac

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Cheat sheet

Community shortcuts for CleanShot X

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FAQ

What are the most useful CleanShot X shortcuts?

The most essential CleanShot X shortcuts include Cmd+Shift+3 to capture the full screen, Cmd+Shift+4 for area selection, and Cmd+Shift+5 to open the capture menu. Use Cmd+Shift+A to capture all screens at once, and Cmd+Shift+R to start recording your screen. Press Cmd+Shift+W to capture the active window with auto-background removal. After capturing, press Space to pin the screenshot for annotation or comparison.

How do I annotate screenshots in CleanShot X?

After taking a screenshot, the annotation panel appears automatically. Press T for text, A for arrow, R for rectangle, and O for oval shapes. Use B for blur to hide sensitive information, and N for numbering steps. Press Cmd+Z to undo and Cmd+C to copy the annotated image to the clipboard. Hit Enter or Cmd+S to save the final result.

How do I record my screen with CleanShot X?

Press Cmd+Shift+5 to open the recording menu, then click 'Record Screen' or use Cmd+Shift+R. Select the area to record by dragging, or click a window to record it specifically. Press Cmd+Shift+2 to start/stop recording. For GIF recording, select the GIF option from the menu before starting. After recording, the editor opens automatically where you can trim, add text overlays, or export as MP4 or GIF.

CleanShot X keyboard shortcuts not working - how to fix?

If CleanShot X shortcuts aren't responding, open CleanShot X preferences (Cmd+,) and go to the Shortcuts tab to verify your key bindings. Make sure CleanShot X has Screen Recording permissions in macOS System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording. If shortcuts conflict with macOS defaults (like Cmd+Shift+3/4/5), disable the native screenshot shortcuts in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots. Restart CleanShot X after making permission changes.