Documentation

Insert Prompt from Shortcut

Learn how to insert prompts from a shortcut in the Workbench.

Prompt workflow2 min read

Current guide

Insert Prompt from Shortcut

Insert a prompt with the shortcut

The // shortcut inserts saved prompts without leaving the keyboard. Type // in the chat input and a menu opens above it; a few keystrokes filter your library, and Tab drops the prompt into the input as editable text. Nothing is sent automatically. This page is the canonical shortcut reference: the commands, the full keyboard flow, and the one mistake to avoid.

Prerequisites:

Open the shortcut menu#

  1. Click into the chat input.
  2. Type //. The shortcut menu opens above the input with three commands: //prompt for saved prompts, //pin for pinned turns, and //scratchpad for scratchpad content.
  3. Choose a command:
    1. Keep typing to narrow the commands, or move the highlight with the up and down arrow keys.
    2. Press Tab to choose the highlighted command. The menu switches to that command's list.

Insert a prompt#

  1. With //prompt chosen, type part of the prompt's title. The list filters as you type.
  2. Move the highlight to the prompt you want with the arrow keys.
  3. Press Tab. The prompt content replaces the // trigger text in the chat input.
  4. The text is editable and nothing is sent. Adjust it, then send it yourself.

A prompt whose content carries {{variable}} placeholders opens the Fill Prompt Variables dialog before inserting, defaults pre-filled. The dialog is covered in insert a prompt from the sidebar.

The keyboard, key by key#

KeyWhat it does
//Opens the shortcut menu above the chat input.
TypingFilters the commands, then the chosen command's list.
Up and down arrowsMove the highlight.
TabChooses the highlighted command, then inserts the highlighted item.
EscapeCloses the menu and leaves the input exactly as typed.
EnterSends the input as a normal message. It never selects from the menu.

The other two commands#

  • //pin: Inserts a pinned conversation turn. Prompt pins and response pins both land as editable text. Pinning lives on the conversations main page.
  • //scratchpad: Inserts scratchpad content. Scratchpads are covered in the Scratchpads section (Link: Scratchpads section here).

Sequences have no shortcut command; they insert from the sidebar. See insert a sequence from the sidebar.

FAQ#

Does the shortcut send the prompt automatically?+

No. Tab places the content in the chat input and stops. You review, edit, and send it yourself.

Why did // show up in my sent message?+

The message was sent before the insertion was completed. Enter sends the input as is, trigger and all. Next time, finish with Tab before sending, or turn on the Cmd/Ctrl + Enter send toggle in settings.

Can I insert a sequence with the shortcut?+

No. The menu carries //prompt, //pin, and //scratchpad. Sequences insert from the sidebar's Insert Prompt Sequence action. See insert a sequence from the sidebar.

Does the shortcut use AI credits?+

No. Insertion is free on every plan, from the shortcut and from the sidebar alike. Credits apply only to Enhance actions.

Does it work the same on claude.ai?+

Yes. The trigger, the menu, and every key behave identically on chatgpt.com and claude.ai.