Press U to leave an open email and return to your thread list. It is the fastest way back to the inbox after you have read or replied, and it keeps your place so you can carry on down the list.
CMDK transforms your Gmail into a keyboard first experience, not just transforming existing Gmail keyboard shortcuts but also adding new ones for you to be 2x faster at email. CMDK also adds a command bar, natural language snooze, split inbox with Tabs, one-click email nuke, and easy account switching tools. It reduces your reliance on the mouse, getting you into a state of flow as you use Gmail everyday.
Back to thread list (Inbox) Gmail Shortcut Tutorial
Step 1: Open your Gmail account in your web browser.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the page and select “See all settings.”
Step 3: In the Settings menu, click on the “General” tab.
Step 4: Scroll down until you find the “Keyboard shortcuts” section.
Step 5: Click on the “Keyboard shortcuts on” option to enable keyboard shortcuts in Gmail.
Step 6: Save your changes by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking on the “Save Changes” button.
Step 7: Once keyboard shortcuts are enabled, go back to your Gmail inbox.
Step 8: To use the “Back to thread list (Inbox)” shortcut, simply press the “u” key on your keyboard.
Step 9: This will take you back to the main inbox page where you can see all your email threads.
You can also let CMDK handle this for you. It turns Gmail’s keyboard shortcuts on automatically and adds dozens more, so Back to Thread List (Inbox) and the rest just work from the first day.
Go beyond a single shortcut
The Back to Thread List (Inbox) shortcut is a small habit that pays off every day, and it is only a taste of what a keyboard-first inbox feels like. CMDK adds more than 80 shortcuts on top of the ones Gmail already has, plus a command bar that runs any action by name, natural-language snooze, a split inbox with tabs, one-click sender nuke, and instant account switching. Install CMDK and see how much faster email feels by the end of your first day.
Related Gmail keyboard shortcuts
CMDK adds these and 80+ more shortcuts to Gmail, along with a command bar and natural-language snooze. See how CMDK works or check CMDK pricing.