Reference
Keyboard
Every shortcut on this site, and what the interface promises if you drive it from the keyboard or with a screen reader. This page is plain HTML, so it works even when the thing it documents does not.
Anywhere on the site
| Keys | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+K | Open the command paletteCmd K on macOS. Works from anywhere except inside a text field. |
| / | Open the palette on the route listSuppressed while you are typing in a form field, per SC 2.1.4. |
| Tab | Move to the next link, button or field |
| Tab | Reveal the skip linkThe first Tab on any page focuses "Skip to content". It is a real link, not a script. |
| Esc | Close the palette, or any open dialog |
Inside the command palette
Focus stays in the input the whole time. The highlighted row moves under you, it is announced as you go, and you never have to Tab into a list to reach it.
| Keys | What it does |
|---|---|
| ↓ | Move to the next resultCtrl N also works. |
| ↑ | Move to the previous resultCtrl P also works. |
| Home | Jump to the first result |
| End | Jump to the last result |
| Enter | Open the selected page, or run the selected action |
| Ctrl+Enter | Open the selected page in a new tabCmd Enter on macOS. Actions ignore it. |
| Backspace | Drop the active filterOnly when the input is otherwise empty. |
| Esc | Close the palette and return focus to where you were |
Filters
Type one of these as the first character to narrow the palette to one kind of thing. Delete it with Backspace to go back to searching everything.
| Type | Shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| > | ActionsCommands the page can run for you on the spot. | > copy |
| / | RoutesPages only. Nothing from inside a page. | /cases |
| # | Sections of the page you are onRead from the page itself as you open the palette, so it is always current. | # |
| @ | Terms on the systems mapThe four layers and every node in them. | @context |
| ? | HelpThis list, without leaving the palette. | ? |
What the interface promises
- Focus is always visible. The ring is drawn with outline, so Windows High Contrast Mode keeps it.
- Nothing traps focus. The palette uses a native dialog element, so Esc closes it and Tab cannot escape it into the page behind.
- Focus returns to whatever opened the palette when it closes.
- Every animation is under 320ms and every one of them is switched off by prefers-reduced-motion.
- Single-character shortcuts never fire while you are typing in an input, a textarea or a contenteditable region.
- Every text colour on the site is at least 4.5 to 1 against its background, and every border you can click is at least 3 to 1.
- Every target you can activate is at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels on a mouse and at least 44 by 44 on a touchscreen.
- The site is fully usable with JavaScript switched off. The palette is the only thing you lose, and /search replaces it.
If any of that is not true where you are sitting, that is a defect and it is worth telling me about. The contact form reaches me.