Customizing keyboard shortcuts on a Mac allows you to tailor your workflow for maximum efficiency, whether you're streamlining repetitive tasks or restoring missing commands. The process is built directly into macOS through System Settings (or System Preferences in older versions), with additional options available through third-party applications for advanced users. You can create shortcuts for any menu command in any application, modify existing ones, and even assign system-wide hotkeys for launching apps or triggering specific actions.

Key takeaways from the sources:

• The core method involves navigating to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts (or App Shortcuts for application-specific commands) ^[1][3][4]
• Shortcuts can only be assigned to existing menu commands—you cannot create entirely new functions ^[4][6]
• Conflicts with existing shortcuts are a common issue; macOS will alert you if your chosen combination is already in use ^[1][3]
• Third-party tools like BetterTouchTool, Alfred, or Keyboard Maestro expand functionality for power users, including remapping keys or creating complex macros ^[2][8]

Customizing Mac Keyboard Shortcuts: Step-by-Step Methods

Built-in macOS Shortcut Customization

The native macOS method is the most straightforward way to customize shortcuts, requiring no additional software. This approach works for both application-specific commands and some system-wide actions. Start by opening System Settings (or System Preferences in macOS Monterey and earlier) and selecting Keyboard from the sidebar. Here’s how to proceed:

• Accessing the Shortcuts Panel:
• In macOS Ventura and later, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts ^[3][9].
• In older macOS versions, navigate to Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts ^[1][4].
• The panel displays categories like App Shortcuts, Mission Control, and Input Sources, where you can view or modify existing shortcuts.

• Creating a New Shortcut:
• Click the + (plus) button under App Shortcuts to add a new shortcut ^[4][6].
• Select the specific application (e.g., Safari, Pages) or choose All Applications for broader use ^[1].
• Enter the exact menu command name as it appears in the app’s menu bar—typos or mismatches will prevent the shortcut from working ^[1][7].
• Assign a key combination (e.g., Command + Shift + K) and click Add. macOS will warn you if the combination conflicts with an existing shortcut ^[3].

• Modifying or Deleting Shortcuts:
• To change a shortcut, double-click its key combination and press the new keys ^[4].
• To remove a shortcut, select it and click the - (minus) button ^[6].
• Some system shortcuts (like Command + Q for quitting apps) can be modified, but overriding them may lead to unintended consequences ^[6][10].

• Troubleshooting Common Issues:
• If a shortcut doesn’t work, verify the menu command name matches exactly, including capitalization and punctuation ^[1].
• Check for conflicts in the Shortcuts panel—macOS prioritizes app-specific shortcuts over system-wide ones ^[3].
• Restart the application (or your Mac) if changes don’t take effect immediately ^[7].

Advanced Customization with Third-Party Tools

While macOS’s built-in options cover most needs, third-party applications unlock deeper customization, such as remapping keys, creating multi-step macros, or assigning shortcuts to non-menu actions. These tools are particularly useful for users who want to:

• Remap hardware keys (e.g., turning Caps Lock into a modifier key) ^[2].
• Create system-wide shortcuts for launching apps or scripts ^[5][10].
• Automate complex workflows with multi-action macros ^[8].

Here are the most recommended tools and their capabilities:

• BetterTouchTool:
• Allows key remapping (e.g., changing F12 to Control + Option + S) and gesture customization for trackpads ^[2].
• Supports app-specific shortcuts and global hotkeys for scripts or AppleScript actions ^[8].
• Offers a visual interface for creating sequences (e.g., "Press F19 to open Safari and navigate to a specific URL") ^[10].

• Alfred (with Powerpack):
• Enables custom search hotkeys and workflow automation (e.g., typing a keyword to trigger a series of actions) ^[8].
• Can launch apps, files, or websites with a keystroke combination ^[10].
• Integrates with shell scripts for advanced users ^[2].

• Keyboard Maestro:
• Designed for power users, allowing multi-step macros (e.g., "Press F1 to open Photoshop, create a new document, and apply a preset") ^[8].
• Supports conditional logic (e.g., "If Safari is open, run this shortcut; otherwise, do nothing") ^[10].
• Includes a library of pre-built macros for common tasks ^[2].

• Karabiner-Elements:
• Specializes in low-level key remapping, such as turning Caps Lock into Escape or swapping Command and Control ^[2].
• Useful for non-standard keyboards or ergonomic setups ^[8].
• Requires manual configuration via JSON files, which may be complex for beginners ^[2].

Examples of Advanced Use Cases:

• Remapping Caps Lock to Control + Option + Command for faster modifier combinations ^[2].
• Creating a shortcut to toggle Dark Mode system-wide with Option + Shift + D ^[10].
• Assigning F13–F19 (via BetterTouchTool) to launch frequently used apps like Slack, Spotify, or Terminal ^[10].
• Building a macro in Keyboard Maestro to resize windows, take a screenshot, and save it to a specific folder in one keystroke ^[8].