# Can I add a note with a keyboard shortcut, without opening the app?

Yes. On a computer where PrivacyNotes runs, press the Ninja hotkey, then Ctrl+N (Cmd+N on a Mac). With [the command line tool](https://privacynotes.app/help/command-line) connected (Settings > CLI), your system can also run a small script on a key you pick, while the app is closed. It asks for the text and saves it to your Agent folder. The Ninja hotkey is free, and the command line tool is part of Pro. The note is encrypted on your computer, and it shows in your apps at their next sync.

You set up the key once, in your system's own settings. Each script hands the text you type to `privacynotes save`:

- **macOS**: in the Shortcuts app, choose Shortcuts, then Settings, open Advanced and turn on "Allow Running Scripts". Make a new shortcut. Add "Ask for Input" (Text, with Allow Multiple Lines on). Add "Run Shell Script", set Pass Input to "to stdin", and type `~/.local/bin/privacynotes save`. Open the shortcut's details and choose Add Keyboard Shortcut.
- **Windows**: save this as `quick-note.ps1` in your Documents folder: `$OutputEncoding = New-Object Text.UTF8Encoding $false; Add-Type -AssemblyName Microsoft.VisualBasic; $t = [Microsoft.VisualBasic.Interaction]::InputBox('New note', 'PrivacyNotes'); if ($t) { $t | privacynotes save }`. Make a desktop shortcut to `powershell -WindowStyle Hidden -File "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\quick-note.ps1"`. In its Properties, click in Shortcut key and press your keys. The input box takes one line; for more lines, use `privacynotes` in a terminal.
- **Linux**: in GNOME, open Settings, then Keyboard, then View and Customize Shortcuts, then Custom Shortcuts, add one with the command `sh -c 'zenity --text-info --editable --title=PrivacyNotes | ~/.local/bin/privacynotes save'` and set the key. In KDE, open System Settings, then Shortcuts, and choose Add New, then Command or Script, with the same command. Both need `zenity` (`sudo apt install zenity`).

The script saves only with a network connection: offline, `privacynotes` exits with 4 and the text is not kept. The Ninja hotkey saves offline too, and the note goes out at the next sync.

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Source: https://privacynotes.app/help/quick-note-shortcut