# AetherDesk AI PC Quick Cards

Generated: 2026-07-01

Keep this as the short operator card. Use the longer operator surface map when you need details.

## Start here

Press `Ctrl+K` and type what you want:

- `files`
- `terminal`
- `agent`
- `notebook`
- `system`
- `manual`

If lost, press `F2` for the AI PC Control Map.

## Ask the AI PC

Press `Ctrl+Alt+Enter`.

Type the next task and press `Enter`.

What happens:

- request is queued locally
- mission dock next action updates
- Agent Ops opens
- sync bridge can later promote it to backend task

Open the queue with `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Enter`.

## Choose a workflow

Press `Ctrl+Alt+Space`.

Then press:

- `1` Build / Fix
- `2` Review / Prove
- `3` Research / Map
- `4` Operate Agents
- `5` Handoff / Save

Mission modes open the useful app set and update the mission dock.

## Work with windows

- `Ctrl+Alt+Tab`: switch windows
- `Ctrl+Alt+Left`: snap active window left
- `Ctrl+Alt+Right`: snap active window right
- `Ctrl+Alt+Up`: maximize active window
- `Ctrl+Alt+Down`: center active window
- `Ctrl+Alt+Home`: show desktop / park windows
- `Ctrl+Alt+End`: restore parked windows

## Save proof

- `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C`: copy handoff receipt
- `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S`: record and copy black-box snapshot
- `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V`: open snapshot viewer

Use proof before handing work to another agent or before changing direction.

## Recover calm

Press `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Backspace` for Safe Mode.

Safe Mode hides AI chrome and transient overlays without deleting state.

Use it when:

- the screen is too crowded
- a short preview feels cramped
- you want plain desktop behavior
- an agent should stop opening panels and return to basics

## Maintain local state

Press `Ctrl+Alt+,` for Preferences.

Use Preferences to:

- copy local state bundle
- reset first-run hints
- clear queue with confirmation
- clear snapshots with confirmation
- clear handoff receipts with confirmation
- reset window layout with confirmation

## Backend sync

Queued requests are local-first.

- `file://` preview: stays local and safe
- `http://` / `https://`: can sync to `/api/pc/agent-task`
- `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+U`: manual sync
- click `Sync:` pill: manual sync

## Emergency mental model

If confused, use this order:

1. `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Backspace`: quiet the machine.
2. `Ctrl+K`: search for Files, Terminal, Agent, Notebook.
3. `Ctrl+Alt+Enter`: ask the AI PC what to do.
4. `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S`: snapshot before risky changes.
5. `F2`: open the full control map.

## Core local state

The main state lives in browser localStorage under `aetherdesk.realPc.*`.

Important keys:

- `aetherdesk.realPc.operatorSession`
- `aetherdesk.realPc.agentRequestQueue`
- `aetherdesk.realPc.blackBoxSnapshots`
- `aetherdesk.realPc.handoffReceipts`
- `aetherdesk.realPc.backendSyncStatus`
- `aetherdesk.realPc.safeMode`

## Product rule

AetherDesk should feel like a computer first:

- visible mission
- obvious search
- fast agent request capture
- recoverable windows
- proof before handoff
- safe reset when crowded
