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How can I query OS X to know if an application has registered a shortcut?

I could inspect every app I have or that is running at least with KeyCue and go through the Keyboard Shortcuts section of System Preferences, but there must be some other method using the shell.

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  • I think it depends on which version of osx you are using. I am going to post osx 1.8.5 and once you specify which version of osx you are running I can update the answer.
    – Deesbek
    Oct 14, 2013 at 19:26
  • I think you should also change the title of your question to mention it is keyboard shortcuts you are asking about, when I came across your question I thought you were talking about file shortcuts or ln's.
    – Deesbek
    Oct 14, 2013 at 19:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5 
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist

Will do it for you. Then you can edit the individual keys from there.

The details are extracted from: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57337941-263/tackling-keyboard-shortcut-woes-in-os-x/

You can modify the above file as per: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4850

However note the file is binary and you cannot use a text editor, you have to use the command defaults, or the command PlistBuddy. defaults can be used if you know the individual keys you want to modify. PlistBuddy is more user friendly.

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  • 1
    Thanks for the plist reference. This way I found some useful documentation about the plist self, hintsforums.macworld.com/showthread.php?t=114785.
    – 1.61803
    Oct 18, 2013 at 0:15
  • If that is the answer to your question, you should put it in answer format and tick it as self answer. NP by the way.
    – Deesbek
    Oct 18, 2013 at 0:17
  • 2
    I know this is and old thread... but, does anyone know how to decipher this keyboard plist file?
    – Flak DiNenno
    Nov 23, 2021 at 13:58
  • @FlakDiNenno did you ever find out?
    – montrealist
    Jul 24 at 15:43
  • @montrealist no, unf I didn't
    – Flak DiNenno
    Jul 25 at 14:52

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