Save (Command ⌘ – S)
To save your project often, use this quick command shortcut. 

Play + Stop Playhead (blue line dragged across timeline) 
Use the space bar to start and stop playing timeline to move the playhead back-and-forth. 

Select All, Copy, Paste, Undo Clipboard Shortcuts 
Command ⌘- A to select all media. Command ⌘- C to copy media. Command ⌘ – P to paste that same media in another spot. Command ⌘ – Z will undo a mistake but be careful because you will only be able to undo so many times.  

Zoom in (+) and Zoom out (-) of timeline
Use these hotkeys to help you edit in detail or look at the entire video on the timeline. 

Arrow keys
Use these to move playhead a tiny bit each direction. Use down arrow to skip to next edit point on timeline. 

Insert Part of Video Clip from Source panel to Timeline (,)
Use this hotkey to quickly place a part of your clip to timeline once you pull it up in the Source panel.  

Overwrite Part of Video Clip from Source panel to Timeline (.)
Use to overwrite a clip you select in Source panel to your timeline on top of another clip.  

Selection Tool (V)
The primary tool for editing. Select, move, trim, and reposition clips directly in the timeline. 

Track Select Forward / Backward (A / Shift + A)
Selects all clips on a track forward or backward from cursor. For moving groups of clips at once without affecting timing elsewhere. 

Ripple Edit Tool (B)
Trims clips while automatically closing or creating space in the timeline, keeping everything in sync. 

Razor Tool (C)
Cuts clips into separate segments at a specific point. Use for precise edits + removing sections. 

Slip Tool (Y)
Moves content of a clip forward or backward in time while keeping its position + duration fixed. 

Pen Tool (P)
Creates +adjusts keyframes for animation and control of effects such as opacity, volume, and motion. 

Rectangle Tool
Creates customizable shapes (often used for lower thirds, backgrounds, or graphic overlays). 

Hand Tool (H)
Navigates timeline horizontally without changing clip positions. Helpful in complex, multitrack edits. 

Type Tool (T)
Creates and edits text directly in the Program Monitor for titles, captions, and graphics. 

Object Mask Tool (New!)* Part of Beta version
Hover over your subject, click and watch Ai mask and track your subject. 

Ai Generative Extend Tool
Uses AI to extend Video + audio up to 2 seconds or Audio-only up to 10 seconds. Useful for smoothing cuts, extending reactions, or filling small timing gaps. 

Mark IN Point (I) + Mark OUT Point (O)
Use these shortcuts to highlight where you want your video to start and end. This will show the export window where your video starts and ends, so you don’t leave anything out or have 5 minutes of random black at the end. 

Export (Command ⌘ – M)
Once you’re finished editing, use this command shortcut to bring up your Export window quickly. 

Quit / Close Premiere (Command ⌘ – Q)
Once you’re finished with the program, close out Premiere quickly using this command key.