How it works
- Record or type the shortcut: a combination like Ctrl+Alt+A, a side-specific key like LCtrl+F1, an extra mouse button like MouseX1, or a two-part sequence like Ctrl+K, S.
- Choose when it fires: on press, on release, after holding it (half a second by default), or on a double tap within 400 milliseconds.
- By default the keys are kept from the app in front; turn that off for keys you still want to type, especially with hold or double tap.
- A routine can be limited to certain apps, so the same shortcut can run a different routine in each app and pass through untouched where none applies.
- The routine card shows if Windows reserves the shortcut or another app also uses it, and KeyRoutines still reacts first in that case.
Routines that use it
One key, whole setup
Ctrl+Alt+G runs Open app for your game, Set default audio device for your headset and Apply layout for Discord and OBS.
Per-app shortcut
F13 runs Press keys for your editor's build command only while the editor is in front, and does nothing elsewhere.
Mouse button media keys
MouseX1 on press runs Media control play or pause; a double tap skips to the next track.
Settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chord | "Ctrl+Alt+A", "LCtrl+F1", "MouseX1", or a sequence "Ctrl+K, S". |
| Hold for | For "hold": how long the keys stay down before it fires. Default 0.5 s. |
| Swallowadvanced | Keep the keys from reaching the app in front. Off = the app gets them too. |
| Accept injectedadvanced | Also react to keys other programs typed (never to keys KeyRoutines itself sends). |
Good to know
- Windows-reserved shortcuts such as Win+L, Ctrl+Alt+Delete and Ctrl+Shift+Esc can't be used, nor can the panic key.
- While a protected game is running, hotkeys that need KeyRoutines' keyboard monitoring (sequences, hold, double tap, mouse buttons, side-specific keys, per-app shortcuts) are paused; plain shortcuts keep working.
- Sending keys or clicks into games from a routine is a different matter: most games ignore background input, and KeyRoutines is not built for that.
Questions
- How do I create a custom keyboard shortcut in Windows 11?
- In KeyRoutines, make a routine with the Hotkey trigger and record the combination you want. Add any steps, from opening an app to arranging windows, and the shortcut runs them.
- Can I use extra mouse buttons as hotkeys?
- Yes. Side buttons such as MouseX1 and MouseX2 work, alone or with modifier keys, on press, release, hold or double tap.
- Do my hotkeys work while I'm playing a game?
- Plain shortcuts do. Advanced ones that rely on keyboard monitoring pause while a protected game runs, so nothing hooks the keyboard while anti-cheat is watching, and come back a few seconds after it closes.