> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.slashy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Batch Process Email with Keyboard Shortcuts

> Power user workflow for processing 50+ emails in 5 minutes using filters, bulk selection, and single-key actions.

Use filters to surface what matters, keyboard shortcuts to select in bulk, and single-key actions to archive, label, or trash entire batches. With practice, 50 emails in 5 minutes -- no mouse required.

## Core Shortcuts

| Shortcut              | Action                    |
| --------------------- | ------------------------- |
| `j` / `k`             | Move down / up            |
| `Shift+J` / `Shift+K` | Select and move down / up |
| `Cmd+A`               | Select all visible        |
| `e`                   | Archive selected          |
| `#`                   | Trash selected            |
| `l`                   | Label selected            |
| `s`                   | Star/unstar selected      |
| `z`                   | Undo last action          |

## The Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Filter">
    Narrow your view before selecting:

    | Filter         | Shortcut  |
    | -------------- | --------- |
    | Unread only    | `Shift+U` |
    | Starred only   | `Shift+S` |
    | Important only | `Shift+I` |
    | No Reply       | `Shift+R` |

    Press the same shortcut again to clear the filter.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate and Select">
    **One by one:** `Shift+J` to select and move down. Keep pressing to select a batch. `Shift+K` to deselect and move back.

    **Select all:** `Cmd+A` to select every visible thread (great for "archive all newsletters").

    **Skip and select:** `j` past threads to keep, `Shift+J` to start selecting the rest.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Act">
    One key applies to all selected: `e` archive, `#` trash, `l` label, `s` star, `h` snooze, `u` toggle read/unread. Made a mistake? `z` to undo.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/how-to-batch-process-email-with-keyboard-shortcuts-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=6da9984657abf066031df5a8992317ed" alt="Inbox with multiple threads selected via Shift+J" width="2210" height="1382" data-path="images/screenshots/how-to-batch-process-email-with-keyboard-shortcuts-1.png" />
</Frame>

## Complete Daily Workflow

1. **Start with a label.** `Tab` to your first importance label. Process it completely.
2. **Quick scan.** `j` down through subjects to gauge the batch.
3. **Reply to urgent items.** `Enter` to open, `r` to reply or `Cmd+Enter` for AI draft, `e` to archive after.
4. **Star deep-thought items.** `s` on threads you can't process now.
5. **Batch archive the rest.** `Shift+J` through remaining threads, then `e`.
6. **Next label.** `Tab` and repeat.
7. **Sweep.** `Shift+U` to catch unread stragglers.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/how-to-batch-process-email-with-keyboard-shortcuts-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=7103221256db6c19ea001e7f68ea6faa" alt="Batch action confirmation showing archived thread count" width="1950" height="1410" data-path="images/screenshots/how-to-batch-process-email-with-keyboard-shortcuts-2.png" />
</Frame>

## Speed Tips

* **Process least important labels first.** Clear Newsletter and Notifications (mostly bulk-archivable) before focusing on Important.
* **Don't read every email.** Scan subjects and senders. Archive anything that isn't urgent.
* **Automate recurring patterns.** If you archive the same type daily, create an automation or use block (`Cmd+U`) and unsubscribe (`Cmd+Shift+U`).

<Tip>Press `Shift+?` anytime to see the full keyboard shortcuts reference.</Tip>

<Warning>Bulk actions apply to **all selected threads**. Always check your selection before pressing `e` (archive) or `#` (trash). Press `z` immediately to undo if you make a mistake.</Warning>

***

## Related Articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Reach Inbox Zero" icon="inbox" href="/how-to-guides/inbox-zero">
    The 5-minute daily inbox zero workflow
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcuts" icon="keyboard" href="/how-to-guides/keyboard-shortcuts">
    Complete shortcut reference for every view
  </Card>

  <Card title="The Slashy Method" icon="bolt" href="/how-to-guides/slashy-method">
    The three principles of AI-first email
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Drafts" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/how-to-guides/ai-drafts">
    Generate replies while batch processing
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
