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Arc Browser Keyboard Shortcuts (Latest) — Complete Cheat Sheet
Arc Browser keyboard shortcuts for Spaces, the Sidebar, Split View, and command bar — the fastest way to navigate the browser built for power users.
24 shortcuts across 3 categories · macOS · Windows
Arc is a Chromium-based browser that reimagines browsing with a persistent sidebar, Spaces for separating work and personal contexts, and a command bar that replaces both the address bar and a separate launcher. Its keyboard shortcuts reflect this spatial model, making it fast to switch between Spaces, open split views, and navigate an organized sidebar rather than a cluttered tab bar.
Tabs & Spaces
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New Tab | ⌘ + T | Open a new tab in the current Space |
| Close Tab / Archive | ⌘ + W | Close the current tab (Arc archives it rather than destroying it) |
| New Space | ⌘ + Shift + N | Create a new Space for a separate browsing context |
| Switch to Next Space | ⌘ + Option + → | Move to the Space to the right |
| Switch to Previous Space | ⌘ + Option + ← | Move to the Space to the left |
| Next Tab | Ctrl + Tab | Cycle to the next tab in the Sidebar |
| Previous Tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Cycle to the previous tab in the Sidebar |
| Switch to Tab by Position | ⌘ + 1-9 | Jump directly to the 1st–9th tab in your Sidebar |
| Reopen Closed Tab | ⌘ + Shift + T | Restore the most recently closed tab |
Navigation
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Command Bar | ⌘ + T | Type a URL, search query, or command into Arc's unified bar |
| Focus Address Bar | ⌘ + L | Highlight the address bar to type a new URL or search |
| Go Back | ⌘ + [ | Navigate to the previous page in history |
| Go Forward | ⌘ + ] | Navigate to the next page in history |
| Reload Page | ⌘ + R | Reload the current page |
| Hard Reload | ⌘ + Shift + R | Reload the page and clear the cache for this URL |
| Find on Page | ⌘ + F | Search for text within the current page |
View & Sidebar
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Sidebar | ⌘ + S | Show or hide the Arc Sidebar to reclaim screen space |
| Pin Tab to Favorites | ⌘ + D | Add the current tab to your pinned Favorites at the top of the Sidebar |
| Split View | ⌘ + Option + = | Open a second tab in a side-by-side split pane |
| Copy Current URL | ⌘ + Shift + C | Copy the full URL of the current page to the clipboard |
| Open Developer Tools | ⌘ + Option + I | Open the browser DevTools inspector |
| Zoom In | ⌘ + + | Increase the page zoom level |
| Zoom Out | ⌘ + - | Decrease the page zoom level |
| Actual Size | ⌘ + 0 | Reset the page zoom to 100% |
Arc Browser Tips & Tricks
- ⌘+T does double duty as both new tab and address bar: In Arc, ⌘+T opens the command bar which serves as both a new tab creator and an address/search bar. Just start typing a URL or search query — Arc searches your history, bookmarks, and the web simultaneously. There's no separate ⌘+L moment needed.
- Spaces are the killer feature — switch with ⌘+Option+arrows: Arc Spaces let you keep completely separate sets of tabs for different projects or contexts (work, personal, research). Switching between them with ⌘+Option+← → is instant. Each Space has its own pinned Favorites and background.
- ⌘+S hides the sidebar for full-screen focus: Arc's Sidebar takes up screen space you may want back when reading or writing. ⌘+S collapses it entirely, giving you a clean full-width view. The keyboard shortcuts still work while the sidebar is hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions — Arc Browser
- What is the most important keyboard shortcut in Arc browser?
- Cmd+T opens a new tab in Arc, but unlike other browsers, new tabs appear in Arc's sidebar rather than a tab bar at the top. The command bar (Cmd+Shift+C or Cmd+L) is equally important — it handles URL navigation, tab switching, and commands in a single interface that replaces both the address bar and a separate command palette.
- How do I switch between Spaces in Arc?
- Press Cmd+Option+← and Cmd+Option+→ to cycle through Arc's Spaces — the separate browsing environments (like Work, Personal, Research) that replace browser profiles. You can also click Space icons in the sidebar, but the keyboard shortcut is significantly faster when switching context during a busy work session.
- How do I open a link in Arc's split view?
- Hold Option (Alt) and click any link to open it in a split view alongside the current page, rather than replacing it. This is useful for referencing documentation while working through a tutorial, or comparing two pages side by side. Press Cmd+Shift+← and Cmd+Shift+→ to resize the split panels.
How to Learn Arc Browser Keyboard Shortcuts
Arc is a Chromium-based browser from The Browser Company that reimagines the browser interface around a persistent sidebar, spaces (separate browsing environments for different contexts like work and personal), and a focus on reducing tab clutter. Its keyboard shortcuts reflect this different architecture: Cmd+T opens a new tab but instead of appearing in a tab bar, it opens in the sidebar as a pinned or unpinned item. Cmd+Shift+C opens the command bar — Arc's equivalent of the address bar and command palette combined — which handles URL navigation, tab switching, and app commands in one interface. Cmd+Option+← and Cmd+Option+→ switch between Arc's Spaces, the context-switching that replaces browser profiles in traditional browsers.
Arc's most distinctive shortcuts are around its Little Arc mini-browser, notes, and split view features. Ctrl+Shift+N opens a new note in Arc's built-in notes sidebar. Opt+Click on a link opens it in a split view alongside the current page — useful for comparing two pages or referencing documentation while reading a tutorial. Cmd+Shift+H opens and closes the sidebar, giving more horizontal space when needed. Because Arc is built on Chromium, all standard Chrome shortcuts work in Arc: Cmd+L for the address bar, Cmd+W to close a tab, and F12 for DevTools all behave identically. The difference is in Arc's spatial organization of browsing, which the Space and Sidebar shortcuts unlock — making Arc feel meaningfully different from Chrome even for users who already know Chrome shortcuts well.