Slash Commands — Format Notes Without Leaving the Keyboard
Slash commands are a keyboard-first way to format and transform notes. Type / anywhere in a Keepsake editor — the QuickNote bar, an inline editor, or the full note page — and a small palette opens with every available action. Pick one with the arrow keys or by typing a few letters, press Enter, and you're done. The same mental model as #tags and @mentions, applied to formatting.
Open the command palette
Type /
In any Keepsake editor — QuickNote bar, inline entry editor, or the note detail page — type / at the start of a line or in the middle of your text. A small dropdown appears right at the cursor.
Filter by typing
Keep typing a few letters to narrow the list. /h1 jumps straight to heading 1. /ta narrows to task. /im to image.
Pick and go
Use the arrow keys to move through the list, then Enter to confirm. Or press Escape to close the palette without inserting anything.
Shortcut
Type / to open, Esc to close, arrows + Enter to pick
Tip
The slash palette uses the same UX as the # tag and @ contact autocomplete you already know. If you're comfortable with those, slash commands will feel instantly familiar — see QuickNotes.
Format text: headings, lists, tasks, quotes, code
/h1 and /h2
Insert a level-1 or level-2 heading. Great for structuring a longer note or a draft post you plan to publish.
/list
Insert a bullet list. Press Enter on an empty bullet to end the list.
/task
Insert a checklist / task list (- [ ]). Check items directly in the rendered view — perfect for quick daily checklists or shopping lists inside a note.
/quote
Insert a blockquote. Great for capturing a line from a book, a quote from a conversation, or an idea you want to highlight.
/code
Insert a code block. Monospace font, preserved formatting — ideal for commands, snippets, or anything technical.
/separator
Insert a horizontal rule — a subtle divider between sections of the same note.
Tip
All of these can also be typed directly as Markdown (# heading, - item, > quote). Slash commands are just a discoverable shortcut — see the full syntax in the Markdown guide.
Insert an image with /image
/image opens your file picker so you can insert an image at the cursor. It's one of several ways to add a photo — see Adding photos to notes for the full picture (camera, drag & drop, paste).Type /image at the cursor
The command palette narrows to image. Press Enter.
Pick a file
Your OS file picker opens. Choose one or several images. They upload, get compressed automatically (max 1200px, JPEG 80%), and are inserted inline at the cursor.
Tip
Use /image when your hands are already on the keyboard. Use drag & drop when the image is already in a Finder window. Use paste when it's on your clipboard. All three produce the same result.
Transform the note with /split and /duplicate
/split — cut a note in two
Place your cursor where you want the split. Type /split and confirm. Everything below the cursor becomes a new note; everything above stays in the original. Tags, contacts, and any other metadata from the source note are preserved on the original — the new note starts clean, with just its content.
When to use /split
A note started as a quick idea and grew into three unrelated thoughts? Split each one into its own note. Your inbox and your archives stay focused, one note = one idea.
/duplicate — clone the current note
Type /duplicate to create an exact copy of the current note. Useful for iterating on a draft, creating a template, or running variations of a checklist.
When to use /duplicate
Daily standup template? Weekly review checklist? Duplicate the previous one and edit — faster than recreating the structure every time.
Tip
/split and /duplicate are destructive-feeling but non-destructive: the original note is preserved either way. Try them without fear — you can always delete the new note if you change your mind.
Tips: combining slash commands with tags and contacts
Structure first, then annotate
Use /h1 and /h2 to lay out sections, then add #tags and @contacts inside each section. The whole note stays discoverable from multiple angles.
Tasks inside notes
Use /task inside a longer note to keep a short action list close to its context. When the actions are more than a side list, consider turning them into real tasks with the T+ shortcut instead.
Draft → publish flow
Draft long-form content in a note using /h1, /quote, /image and /separator. When it's ready, publish the note to your Keepsake Page with one click.
Typed Markdown still works
If you prefer typing Markdown directly (## for an h2, - [ ] for a task), nothing changes. Slash commands are an alternative, not a replacement.
Tip
Slash commands are optimized for the flow state: don't stop to think about formatting, let the palette suggest it. The goal is always the same — capture first, polish later.
Related guides
Capture Ideas Instantly with QuickNotes
Learn how to use QuickNotes to capture thoughts, ideas, and reminders in seconds. Works offline, syncs automatically, and connects to your contacts.
Notes: Capture, Process, and Organize
Understand the full lifecycle of notes in Keepsake. From quick capture in the Inbox to archiving, transforming into tasks or entries, and finding them on contact profiles and tag pages.
Format Your Notes with Markdown
Learn how to use Markdown in Keepsake to format your notes with bold, lists, checkboxes, headers, and more. Simple syntax guide for beginners.
Add Photos to Your Notes
Capture, paste, or drop photos into your Keepsake notes. Learn how to use the camera, drag & drop, clipboard paste, and the toolbar to enrich your notes with images.
Your Keepsake Page — Publish Notes Publicly
Share notes with the world from your Keepsake Page. Learn how to set up your username, add a bio and links, publish notes in one click, and manage what's public.
Organize Everything with Tags & Pages
Learn how to use Tags & Pages in Keepsake to organize notes, tasks, and contacts into flexible projects. No upfront setup — projects emerge naturally from your content.
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