Getting Started
Command Palette
Last updated 19 May 2026
Command Palette
Press Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) from anywhere in the app to jump to any page, client, or setting — or escalate the search to the Concierge if nothing matches. The keyboard-first way to get anywhere fast.
Where to find it — Web:
Cmd+K/Ctrl+Kanywhere. Mobile (iPad with hardware keyboard): same. Mobile (phone): tap the sidebar search button.
TL;DR
- Cross-platform — web, iPad, and mobile.
- Searches clients, navigation pages, settings, and quick actions.
- Anything that doesn't match becomes Ask Concierge.
- Recents and quick actions appear when the palette opens empty.
- All plans. No setup.
What it searches
When you type, the palette runs four parallel searches:
| Source | What it returns |
|---|---|
| Clients | Up to 6 matches by name (server-side search, 200ms debounce, 30s cache) |
| Navigation pages | Primary nav items (Calendar, Inbox, Clients, Services, Team, etc.) |
| Settings pages | Settings entries (Brand voice, Communications, Tax, Billing, etc.) |
| Ask Concierge | Always pinned at the bottom; escalates your raw query to the Concierge |
Type a name → client matches surface. Type a page name → nav and settings filter. Type a question → press Enter to ask the Concierge.
Idle state (no query yet)
When you open the palette without typing, you see:
- Recents — up to 5 of your most recently selected items (per-venue, per-device)
- Quick actions:
- New booking / Walk-in — opens the walk-in flow
- Find client — focuses the search input for client lookup
Keyboard navigation
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Cmd+K / Ctrl+K |
Open or focus the palette |
Esc |
Close |
↑ / ↓ |
Move selection |
Enter |
Activate the highlighted item |
Enter (no matches) |
Escalate the query to Ask Concierge |
On mobile, taps replace arrow keys. The search input has a search-style return key that triggers Ask Concierge when no concrete match exists.
Ask Concierge escalation
If your query doesn't match anything (or you want a thinking response), the Ask Concierge row at the bottom of the palette becomes the catch-all. Press Enter to send your query straight to the Concierge chat at /concierge?q=....
Useful for:
- "How much did I make from balayage in March?" → Concierge answers from your data
- "Show me clients who haven't been in 3+ months" → Concierge runs the relevant tools
- "Reschedule Sarah Smith from Thursday to next Tuesday" → Concierge proposes the action
Recents
Recents persist per-venue:
- Web: localStorage key
openchair:command-palette:recents:{slug} - Mobile: MMKV store, key
recents:{venueId}
Switch venues and the recents switch. Different team members on the same device each see their own (per browser profile / device user).
iPad behaviour
iPad with hardware keyboard mirrors web — Cmd+K opens an overlay-style centered dialog rather than a bottom sheet. Without a hardware keyboard, the sidebar search button opens the same dialog via tap.
What's not in the palette
- Bookings by date — search by client name to find their bookings; the palette doesn't index individual booking IDs
- Services by tag — service list is in the Services page; the palette only matches service names if they're surfaced via the navigation registry
- Reports / dashboards — covered via navigation entries (Intelligence, Reports), not by individual chart titles
- Past sessions / history — Recents covers your most recent actions; for full history, navigate to the relevant page
Tier
All plans. No PRO requirement.
Common mistakes
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
Cmd+K doesn't open the palette |
If you're focused on a text input, the keystroke might be captured by the input. Click outside the input first. |
| Searching a client name returns nothing | Minimum 2 characters; check spelling; the search uses fuzzy match on name only (not email or phone). |
| Recents are empty after switching venues | Recents are per-venue. Each venue has its own list. |
| Ask Concierge is greyed out | Concierge requires PRO. FREE venues see the option but tapping prompts the upgrade. |
| Mobile sidebar doesn't have a search button | Update to the latest app version; the search button was added with the universal command palette rollout. |
FAQ
How do I open the command palette?
Press Cmd+K on Mac or Ctrl+K on Windows from anywhere in the app. On mobile, tap the search button in the sidebar (iPad gets the same shortcut on a hardware keyboard).
What can I search for?
Clients (by name), navigation pages, settings pages, and quick actions like 'New booking' or 'Walk-in'. Anything that doesn't match becomes an 'Ask Concierge' option that escalates the query to your AI Concierge.
Does it remember what I've used recently?
Yes. Up to 5 recent items appear in the idle state when you first open the palette. Stored per-venue in your browser or device, so different team members and different venues each get their own list.
Are there any keyboard shortcuts inside the palette?
Arrow keys navigate; Enter activates the highlighted item. With no matches, Enter escalates the query to Ask Concierge automatically. Escape closes the palette.
Can I customise the quick actions?
Not today — quick actions are a fixed set (New booking / Walk-in, Find client). Use Sidebar Pins to add your own frequently-used pages to the sidebar.