How to Reduce Screen Clutter on macOS with Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

A cluttered desktop is more than an aesthetic nuisance---it can slow you down, increase mental friction, and make it harder to focus on the task at hand. macOS already ships with a solid set of window‑management shortcuts, but the real power lies in customizing them to fit your workflow. Below is a practical, step‑by‑step guide to declutter your screen by creating and chaining your own keyboard shortcuts.

Why Keyboard Shortcuts Beat Mouse‑Centric Workflows

If you spend even a few minutes a day fighting a crowded desktop, a few well‑placed shortcuts can reclaim 10‑20 minutes of productive time.

Built‑In macOS Shortcuts You Should Master First

Before you start building custom shortcuts, make sure you know the native ones. They're the foundation for more elaborate workflows.

When you're comfortable with these, you'll notice the gaps---places where a single shortcut could combine two or three of the actions above. That's where custom shortcuts shine.

Creating System‑Level Custom Shortcuts

macOS lets you map a menu command to any key combination. Many hidden "tidy‑up" actions already exist in the menus; you just need to give them a shortcut.

1. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts.
2. Choose App Shortcuts → click the + button.
3. Set Application to All Applications (or a specific app if you want it scoped).
4. In Menu Title , type the exact menu name (case‑sensitive).
5. Choose a Keyboard Shortcut that isn't already used.

Handy Menu Titles to Map

By giving "Show Desktop" a simple Ctrl + Option + D, you can instantly clear everything with a single press.

Using Automator or Shortcuts App for Multi‑Step Workflows

If you need more than a single menu command---say, hide all windows, then launch a new app ---Automator (or the newer Shortcuts app) lets you bundle actions into a service that you can bind to a key.

Step‑by‑Step: Build a "Focus on New Note" Shortcut

1. Open the Shortcuts app → click + → New Shortcut.

2. Add the following actions (search in the left pane):

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   • Run AppleScript → paste:

   tell application "System https://www.amazon.com/s?k=events&tag=organizationtip101-20"
       set visible of every process to false
   end tell
   

   • Open App → Choose Notes (or any app you want).
   • Delay → 0.3 seconds (makes sure the app finishes launching).
   • Show Notification → "All windows hidden, Notes ready."

3. Click the i button → Add Keyboard Shortcut → press ⌃⌥N.

4. Save.

Now Ctrl + Option + N instantly hides everything, opens Notes, and notifies you---all without moving a mouse.

Quick AppleScript Snippets to Bookmark

You can wrap any of these in a Run AppleScript action, then assign a shortcut via Shortcuts or Automator (as a Quick Action).

Third‑Party Tools That Supercharge Keyboard‑Only Window Management

While macOS's native shortcuts are solid, many power users prefer dedicated window‑tiling utilities that expose further shortcut APIs.

Example: Using BetterTouchTool to Collapse All Windows Into a Single Space

1. Open BTT → Keyboard → Add New Shortcut → press ⌃⌥⌘C.
2. Choose Trigger Predefined Action → Hide All Visible Windows.
3. Add a second action: Switch to Desktop 1.
4. Save.

Now Ctrl + Option + Cmd + C wipes the screen clean and drops you onto a fresh desktop---perfect for a focused writing sprint.

Practical "Clutter‑Free" Workflows You Can Implement Today

Feel free to remix the combos---just keep them consistent (e.g., all "focus" shortcuts start with Ctrl+Option). Consistency helps your brain store them in muscle memory.

Tips for Maintaining an Efficient Shortcut Ecosystem

1. Avoid Overlap -- macOS will prioritize the last shortcut you set for a command. Keep a short list (maybe a Markdown file) of all your custom combos.
2. Use Modifier Hierarchies -- Reserve Ctrl+Option for "global declutter" actions, Ctrl+Option+Cmd for "presentation‑mode" actions, and Shift for "temporary" one‑offs.
3. Test in a Clean Environment -- Open a fresh user account, add a few shortcuts, and see if they interfere with existing apps before rolling them out system‑wide.
4. Back Up -- Export your Keyboard Maestro library, BTT config, and Shortcuts folder (~/Library/Shortcuts) to a cloud repo.
5. Iterate -- After a week, note which shortcuts you never use---remove or replace them. Simplicity beats breadth.

Wrap‑Up

Screen clutter isn't an inevitable side‑effect of modern computing; it's a solvable habit. By mastering macOS's native shortcuts, augmenting them with Automator/Shortcuts scripts, and (optionally) employing third‑party tools like BetterTouchTool or Keyboard Maestro, you can:

• Instantly hide or re‑arrange windows with a single keystroke.
• Chain multi‑step "clean‑up" actions without lifting a finger.
• Preserve mental bandwidth for the work that truly matters.

Give yourself a half‑hour today: map at least three new keyboard shortcuts, create one Shortcuts macro that hides everything and opens a single app, and watch how much smoother your day becomes. Your future self (and a cleaner desktop) will thank you.