How to Change the Summon Shortcut

By default, PhraseVault® opens with Ctrl+. on Windows or Cmd+. on macOS. Starting with version 2.4.0, you can change this shortcut to any key combination you prefer.

How to Change the Shortcut

1. Open PhraseVault's settings by clicking the gear icon in the main window
2. Find the Summon Shortcut option
3. Click the shortcut field and press your desired key combination
4. The new shortcut takes effect immediately

Things to Keep in Mind

PhraseVault's shortcut system is intentionally open and does not restrict which key combinations you can assign. This gives you full flexibility, but it also means that some combinations may not work as expected:

• Conflicts with other apps — If another application already uses the same shortcut, that app may capture the keys before PhraseVault can respond. Common culprits are code editors, chat tools, and system-level shortcuts.
• Conflicts with the operating system — Some key combinations are reserved by Windows or macOS (for example, Ctrl+C for copy or Cmd+Space for Spotlight). Assigning these will not override the OS behavior.
• Not every combination registers — Certain keys or modifier combinations may not be recognized depending on your keyboard layout or operating system version.

If your new shortcut does not work, simply go back to settings and try a different combination.

Tips for Choosing a Good Shortcut

• Use an uncommon modifier combination — Ctrl+Alt or Ctrl+Shift combinations are less likely to conflict with other apps than plain Ctrl or Cmd shortcuts.
• Avoid single-key shortcuts — Always include at least one modifier key (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Cmd) to avoid accidental triggers.
• Test in your most-used apps — After changing the shortcut, try it in your email client, browser, and code editor to make sure it works everywhere you need it.
• The default Ctrl+./Cmd+. works well for most users — Only change it if you experience a conflict with another application.

Resetting to Default

To restore the original shortcut, click the gear icon, and set the summon shortcut back to Ctrl+. (Windows) or Cmd+. (macOS).