Work Smarter, Not Harder
Once you get comfortable with SemaQuote, you will want to move faster. This guide covers two things that will help: keyboard shortcuts for navigating without your mouse, and the quick setup guide that ensures your account is ready for action.
Let's make you a power user.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts let you skip the clicking and get straight to what you need. They work throughout the SemaQuote web app, and once they become second nature, you will wonder how you worked without them.
The Shortcuts You Need to Know
Here are the keyboard shortcuts available in SemaQuote:
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Cmd + K (Mac) / Ctrl + K (Windows) | Opens the Command Palette |
| N | Creates a new quote (from the dashboard) |
That's it. Simple, but powerful.
The Command Palette: Your New Best Friend
The Command Palette is the fastest way to get anywhere in SemaQuote. Think of it as a universal search and navigation tool rolled into one.
Opening the Command Palette
Press Cmd + K on Mac or Ctrl + K on Windows from any page in SemaQuote. A search box appears, ready for your input.
What You Can Do With It
Navigate instantly - Skip the sidebar entirely. Just type where you want to go:
- Type "clients" and press Enter to jump to your Clients page
- Type "settings" to access your account settings
- Type "invoices" to see your invoice list
Find specific records - Search for any client, quote, or invoice:
- Type a client name like "Acme" to find Acme Corporation
- Type an invoice number like "INV-001" to go directly to that invoice
- Type a phone number to find the associated client
Start common actions - Create new items without navigating first:
- "New quote" starts a new quote
- "New client" opens the client creation form
- "New invoice" begins a new invoice
Navigating Results
Once you start typing, results appear below the search box:
- Use arrow keys to move up and down through results
- Press Enter to select the highlighted item
- Press Escape to close the palette and go back to what you were doing
Pro tip: You do not need to type the complete word. Typing "cli" will show clients, "inv" will show invoices. The palette is smart about matching.
The New Quote Shortcut
When you are on the main dashboard, pressing N immediately starts creating a new quote. You will notice this shortcut displayed right on the "New Quote" button as a helpful reminder.
This is perfect when a client calls and you need to start a quote quickly.
The Quick Setup Guide
New to SemaQuote? The Quick Setup Guide helps you configure everything you need before you start working with clients. You will find it in the bottom-right corner of your dashboard.
How It Works
The guide tracks your progress as you complete each setup step:
- Click any item to go directly to the relevant settings page
- Watch the progress bar fill as you complete steps
- See checkmarks appear next to finished items
You can expand or collapse the guide by clicking its header. Once you complete all steps, you have fully configured your account.
The Six Setup Steps
Here is what the guide walks you through:
1. Add Your Company Logo
Where: Settings, then Branding
Your logo appears on quotes, invoices, and the client portal. It builds trust and makes your documents look professional. Even a simple logo makes a difference.
2. Customize Your Preferences
Where: Settings, then Invoicing
Set your defaults once, use them forever:
- Default payment terms (Net 15, Net 30, etc.)
- Invoice numbering format
- Tax settings for your region
- Currency preferences
Getting these right upfront saves time on every quote and invoice you create.
3. Add a Service You Offer
Where: Services page
Define the products or services you provide. For each one, you can set:
- A clear name and description
- Default pricing
- Unit of measurement (hourly, per project, etc.)
Pre-defined services make quote creation much faster and ensure your pricing stays consistent.
4. Add a Payment Link
Where: Settings, then Payments
Make it easy for clients to pay you:
- Connect payment processors you already use
- Add bank transfer details
- Include any special payment instructions
The easier you make it to pay, the faster you get paid. It really is that simple.
5. Add a Client
Where: Clients, then New
Add your first client with their:
- Company name and contact details
- Billing address
- Any notes or special requirements
Once clients are in the system, creating quotes and invoices becomes much faster.
6. Create a Quote with AI
Where: Quotes, then New
This step shows you what makes SemaQuote special:
- Describe the work in plain language
- Let AI suggest line items and pricing
- Review and customize before sending
It is a great way to see how the platform can save you time.
Tracking Your Progress
As you complete each step:
- A green checkmark appears next to the item
- The progress bar fills up
- The percentage updates in real-time
Do not feel pressured to finish everything in one sitting. The guide stays visible until you complete all steps, so you can chip away at it over time.
Tips for Maximum Efficiency
Build the Command Palette Habit
Practice using Cmd/Ctrl + K until it becomes automatic. Most power users find that the Command Palette is faster than clicking through menus once they are comfortable with it.
Try this: for one week, challenge yourself to use the Command Palette for everything. By the end of the week, it will feel natural.
Finish Setup Early
Complete all Quick Setup Guide steps in your first few sessions. Proper configuration prevents issues later and ensures your clients see professional, consistent documents from day one.
Create Quote Templates
After completing setup, create a few template quotes for your most common services. Combined with the "N" keyboard shortcut, you can generate professional quotes in seconds.
Use Consistent Naming
When adding clients and services, stick to consistent naming conventions. This makes Command Palette searches more effective. For example, always include the company name, not just a person's name.
A Note About Mobile
Keyboard shortcuts are a web-only feature. On the SemaQuote mobile app:
- Navigation uses tap and swipe gestures
- Search is available at the top of each screen
- Quick actions appear as floating buttons
- The Quick Setup Guide lives in the settings menu
The mobile app is optimized for quick tasks while you are away from your computer. For heavy work, the web app with keyboard shortcuts is the way to go.
What You Have Learned
You now know how to:
- Use the Command Palette to navigate and search instantly
- Create quotes with a single keystroke
- Complete your account setup for a smooth experience
- Work efficiently with keyboard-first navigation
These small efficiencies add up. Over weeks and months, they translate into hours saved, letting you focus on what really matters: running your business.
Need a refresher on the dashboard itself? Check out our Dashboard Overview guide.