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User-defined keyboard shortcuts on Mac don't work, unless menu item has been displayed

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by ARMAN KHAN

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I've assigned user-defined shortcuts to Firefox on my Mac by adding items to:

    System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> + icon. 

This method works fine in other applications. However, within Firefox these only work after I've clicked on the menu bar and displayed the item with the shortcut.

For example, I have a shortcut to show the Bookmarks Toolbar defined as "View->Toolbars->Bookmarks Toolbar." In Firefox, under View menu I see the item "Bookmarks Toolbar" with the appropriate shortcut key shown next to it. BUT whenever I open a new window I have to show that menu item again before the shortcut key actually works.

Is this a bug?

I've tried different shortcuts, turning on/off private browsing, defining shortcuts under "All Applications" as well as "Firefox.app"

Thanks in advance for your help!

I've assigned user-defined shortcuts to Firefox on my Mac by adding items to: System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> + icon. This method works fine in other applications. However, within Firefox these only work after I've clicked on the menu bar and displayed the item with the shortcut. For example, I have a shortcut to show the Bookmarks Toolbar defined as "View->Toolbars->Bookmarks Toolbar." In Firefox, under View menu I see the item "Bookmarks Toolbar" with the appropriate shortcut key shown next to it. BUT whenever I open a new window I have to show that menu item again before the shortcut key actually works. Is this a bug? I've tried different shortcuts, turning on/off private browsing, defining shortcuts under "All Applications" as well as "Firefox.app" Thanks in advance for your help!

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hello dave_schlossberg,

follow the steps and instruction:


Steps to Reproduce: 1. Open System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts. 2. Click [+] and add shortcut as

  Menu Title: Add-ons
  Keyboard Shortcut: ⇧⌘A

3. Start Firefox. 4. Press Cmd+Shift+A

Actual Results: Add-ons window does not open.

Expected Results: Add-ons window opens.

thank you!