Pen
Freehand drawing with smooth curves
Shortcuts reference
Marker Help & shortcuts
Keyboard-first annotation for demos and teaching. Quick reference for global hotkeys, tools, modifiers, and ink visibility.
01
Quick start
From tray to first stroke in a few keys.
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Launch
Marker runs in the system tray. Launching again while it is already running toggles annotation — same as clicking the tray icon.
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Enter annotation
Press AltG (macOS: ⌘⇧D) to draw over any app.
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Stay visible, keep working
Press V to hide annotations while you click below; press again to restore. Esc exits. Space opens the toolbar.
02
Global shortcuts
Work from anywhere — even when the overlay is not active.
Action
Windows
macOS
Toggle annotation
AltG
⌘⇧D
Clear all annotations (undoable)
AltE
⌘⇧C
While drawing, press V to hide or show annotations, or Esc to exit annotation.
03
In-session tools
Number keys and letter shortcuts switch tools. Press V to hide or show your annotations without leaving the session.
Highlighter
Semi-transparent highlight
Laser
Temporary ink that fades from the oldest tip first
Arrow
Arrow pointer line
Rectangle
Rectangle outline
Ellipse
Ellipse outline
Line
Straight line segment
Eraser
Separate width; press E again while selected to switch stroke / object erase (also in Settings → General)
Text
Double-click to place; scroll to resize
Stamp
Click to place numbered or lettered markers; press N again to toggle; Shift+N resets the counter
Toolbar
Space
Hide / show annotations
V
Undo
CtrlZ
⌘Z
Redo
CtrlShiftZ
⌘⇧Z
Stroke width
Ctrl + scroll
Copy screen
CtrlC
⌘C
Pen, laser, arrow, rectangle, ellipse, and line share one width; highlighter, eraser, and text each have their own.
04
Drawing modifiers, colors & whiteboard
Hold modifiers while dragging to snap shapes. Cycle colors without leaving the canvas.
Modifier + drag
Line
Alt / ⌥ + drag
Rectangle
Ctrl / ⌘ + drag
Square
Ctrl+Alt / ⌘+⌥ + drag
Ellipse
Shift / ⇧ + drag
Circle
Shift+Alt / ⇧+⌥ + drag
Arrow
Ctrl+Shift / ⌘+⇧ + drag
Eraser modes
Stroke: erase pixels along the drag path (undoable). Object: delete entire shapes or text when you pass over them (undoable). Element dragging is disabled while the eraser is selected, even with hover drag on. Switch in Settings → General, or press E again while the eraser is selected.
Colors
Prev / next color
Q / R
Color picker
Right-click
Whiteboard
Enter / exit
W
Copy whiteboard
CtrlC
⌘C
Exit whiteboard
Esc
Whiteboard & content
Default entry chooses screen overlay or whiteboard. Keep after exit restores your last session when you re-enter. Keep on W toggle preserves drawings when switching modes without exiting; turn off to start with a blank whiteboard each time you press W. Configure these in Settings → General.
05
Ink visibility & drag tips
Keep marks on screen while you present — then hide or move them when you need to.
Hide / show annotations
Press V to hide all annotations — clicks reach the app below — then press again to restore.
Drag elements
In General settings: off, hover to drag, or hold Ctrl/Command to drag. Dragging is disabled while the eraser is selected.
Edit text
Double-click existing text to re-edit; in T mode, double-click empty area to create text. Confirm with CtrlEnter (macOS: ⌘Return) or double right-click.
Toolbar
Press Space to open the floating toolbar. It auto-hides while you draw; press Space again to bring it back. Pin it to stay visible. Use More for full options.
Ready to annotate? Download Marker and start with the tray shortcut.