Keyboard shortcuts

## Why it matters

Your hands are on the keyboard during debugging. Reaching for the mouse breaks flow. Keyboard shortcuts let you toggle preserve log or open the side panel without ever leaving the keyboard. This is especially useful during a live checkout test or a multi-step form where every click matters.

## How it works

Scalpel Tags ships with two default shortcuts. The exact keys vary by platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) to avoid conflicting with Chrome's built-in commands. On Mac, Alt+Shift+T opens the side panel. Ctrl+Shift+D (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+D (Mac) toggles preserve log.

You can change these keys yourself. Go to chrome://extensions/shortcuts and find Scalpel Tags. Click the shortcut name and press the keys you want. Chrome prevents conflicts with system shortcuts and other extensions, so if your chosen keys are already taken, it will warn you. Clear a shortcut by clicking the delete button if you don't want it.

## What does not matter

Default shortcuts vary by operating system for good reason: they avoid colliding with Chrome's shortcuts and platform shortcuts you already use. You cannot set the same key for two different shortcuts in one extension. If you set a shortcut that conflicts with your system, Chrome will not use it, so you need to change either the extension shortcut or the system setting.

## Code example

Behind the scenes, Scalpel Tags declares shortcuts in its manifest:

{
  "commands": {
    "toggle_preserve_log": {
      "suggested_key": {
        "default": "Ctrl+Shift+D",
        "mac": "Cmd+Shift+D"
      },
      "description": "Toggle preserve log"
    },
    "open_side_panel": {
      "suggested_key": {
        "default": "Alt+Shift+T",
        "mac": "Alt+Shift+T"
      },
      "description": "Open the side panel"
    }
  }
}
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The extension listens for these commands and acts on them:

chrome.commands.onCommand.addListener((command) => {
  if (command === "toggle_preserve_log") {
    chrome.storage.local.get("preserveLog", (data) => {
      chrome.storage.local.set({
        preserveLog: !data.preserveLog,
      });
    });
  }
});
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## How Scalpel Tags shows it

The keyboard shortcuts work everywhere, even if the popup or side panel is not open. Pressing the shortcut counts as a user gesture, so opening the side panel with a shortcut is allowed by Chrome's security rules. To see or change your shortcuts, go to chrome://extensions/shortcuts, find Scalpel Tags, and edit each command.