Using the Combo Palette

Use this guide when you want the shortest path to commands, search, calculator mode, or Help.

Before you start #

Open a file first so the full app navigation and actions are available.

What you will do #

Open the Combo Palette, choose the mode that fits the task, run the action or search you need, and return to your workflow without hunting through screens.

1. Open the palette #

Open the Combo Palette with Cmd+K on macOS.

If you need to keep the app visible underneath while you work, drag the palette to a different spot on the screen.

2. Choose the right mode first #

The palette has four modes, each with a trigger symbol:

• Commands with !
• Transaction Search with $
• Help with ?
• Calculator with %

If the input is empty, you can switch modes by typing the symbol or by using the mode buttons.

3. Use this quick chooser when you are not sure which mode fits #

• use Commands when you know the action you want
• use Transaction Search when you need to find an existing transaction
• use Calculator when you need quick math inside your current workflow
• use Help when you want support or feedback actions

If one mode is clearly your main workflow, set it as the default opening mode in Settings > Appearance.

4. Run Commands mode when the job is an action #

Use Commands mode for things like:

• add actions
• save or backup actions
• export actions
• navigation jumps
• settings jumps
• undo and redo

Commands mode searches titles, aliases, and keywords, so you do not need the exact official wording every time.

Navigate with the arrow keys and press Enter to run the selected command.

If a command appears disabled, Common Cents shows the reason instead of failing silently.

5. Use Transaction Search mode when browsing would be slower #

Use Transaction Search mode when you know something about the transaction, but opening the full transactions page first would take longer.

This mode works with:

• free text such as payees or notes
• date phrases
• filter chips for amount, account, category, and label

As you type, Common Cents can offer suggestions that turn into chips. Pressing Enter does different jobs depending on what is selected:

• on a suggestion, it adds the chip
• on a transaction, it opens the in-palette preview
• on View all matching transactions, it opens the full transactions page with the current search carried over

6. Use Calculator mode when you want quick working math #

Use Calculator mode for quick totals, differences, and comparisons while you budget or enter transactions.

It supports:

• numbers
• parentheses
• +, -, *, and /
• %

When the result is valid, you can:

• save it to recent calculations
• copy it
• send it back into the current amount field
• arm it for the next amount field you click into

If you often use this from forms, the amount-field calculator button can be enabled in Settings > General.

7. Use Help mode for support actions #

In the current build, Help mode is mainly a support surface rather than a full docs search engine.

Right now it gives you direct actions for:

• Ask a question
• Report a bug

Use it when you need quick support or want to send feedback without leaving the palette flow.

8. Stay keyboard-first once the palette is open #

The palette is fastest when you do not stop to mouse around.

The usual pattern is:

1. open the palette
2. choose the mode
3. type the thing you mean
4. move with the arrow keys
5. press Enter

That one habit is what turns the palette into a real speed tool instead of just another popup.

See also: Combo Palette Overview, Actions, Search, Calculator, and Help.