Modifier Key Confusion

The Modifier Key Mental Model

┌─────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Mac │ Key Cap │ Windows Equivalent                    │
├─────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ⌘  │ Cmd     │ Ctrl (for most shortcuts)             │
│  ⌥  │ Option  │ Alt                                   │
│  ⌃  │ Control │ (no direct equivalent)                │
│  ⇧  │ Shift   │ Shift                                 │
│  🌐 │ Globe   │ (function keys / emoji)               │
└─────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────────────┘

The biggest trap: Ctrl + C in Terminal is "interrupt" (kill process), not "copy." Copy in Terminal is Cmd + C.

Tip: If you keep hitting Ctrl instead of Cmd, you can swap them in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys.

"Where's the Delete Key?"

The Mac Delete key is actually Backspace (deletes backward).

• Forward delete: Fn + Delete
• Delete a file in Finder: Cmd + Delete (moves to Trash)
• Empty Trash: Cmd + Shift + Delete