diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/shortcut-input.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/shortcut-input.tsx
index 2f40520..06b5ae7 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/shortcut-input.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/shortcut-input.tsx
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ function validateShortcut(keys: string[]): ValidationResult {
   const modifierKeys = keys.filter((key) => MODIFIER_KEYS.includes(key));
   const regularKeys = keys.filter((key) => !MODIFIER_KEYS.includes(key));
 
-  // disallow only regular keys
-  if (modifierKeys.length === 0 && regularKeys.length === 1) {
+  // Require at least one modifier key
+  if (modifierKeys.length === 0) {
     return {
       valid: false,
       error:
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/db/app-settings.ts b/apps/desktop/src/db/app-settings.ts
index 098d495..6fd3ebb 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/db/app-settings.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/db/app-settings.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import {
   type NewAppSettings,
   type AppSettingsData,
 } from "./schema";
-import { isWindows, isMacOS } from "../utils/platform";
+import { isMacOS } from "../utils/platform";
 
 // Current settings schema version - increment when making breaking changes
 const CURRENT_SETTINGS_VERSION = 2;
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
index 696b644..1addc3f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
   async initialize(nativeBridge: NativeBridge | null) {
     this.nativeBridge = nativeBridge;
     await this.loadShortcuts();
+    this.syncShortcutsToNative(); // fire-and-forget
     this.setupEventListeners();
   }
 
@@ -50,8 +51,31 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Sync the configured shortcuts to the native helper for key consumption.
+   * This tells the native helper which key combinations to consume
+   * (prevent default behavior like cursor movement for arrow keys).
+   */
+  private async syncShortcutsToNative() {
+    if (!this.nativeBridge) {
+      log.debug("Native bridge not available, skipping shortcut sync");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      await this.nativeBridge.setShortcuts({
+        pushToTalk: this.shortcuts.pushToTalk,
+        toggleRecording: this.shortcuts.toggleRecording,
+      });
+      log.info("Shortcuts synced to native helper");
+    } catch (error) {
+      log.error("Failed to sync shortcuts to native helper", { error });
+    }
+  }
+
   async reloadShortcuts() {
     await this.loadShortcuts();
+    this.syncShortcutsToNative(); // fire-and-forget
   }
 
   setIsRecordingShortcut(isRecording: boolean) {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/services/platform/native-bridge-service.ts b/apps/desktop/src/services/platform/native-bridge-service.ts
index 0bf26db..28ee2e4 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/services/platform/native-bridge-service.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/services/platform/native-bridge-service.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import {
   MuteSystemAudioResult,
   RestoreSystemAudioParams,
   RestoreSystemAudioResult,
+  SetShortcutsParams,
+  SetShortcutsResult,
 } from "@amical/types";
 
 // Define the interface for RPC methods
@@ -49,8 +51,10 @@ interface RPCMethods {
     params: RestoreSystemAudioParams;
     result: RestoreSystemAudioResult;
   };
-  // Add other methods here, e.g.:
-  // setLogLevel: { params: SetLogLevelParams; result: SetLogLevelResult };
+  setShortcuts: {
+    params: SetShortcutsParams;
+    result: SetShortcutsResult;
+  };
 }
 
 // Define event types for the client
@@ -381,6 +385,28 @@ export class NativeBridge extends EventEmitter {
     return this.accessibilityContext;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Send the configured shortcuts to the native helper for key consumption.
+   * When these shortcuts are pressed, the native helper will consume the key events
+   * to prevent default behavior (e.g., cursor movement for arrow keys).
+   */
+  async setShortcuts(shortcuts: SetShortcutsParams): Promise<boolean> {
+    try {
+      const result = await this.call("setShortcuts", shortcuts);
+      this.logger.info("Shortcuts synced to native helper", {
+        pushToTalk: shortcuts.pushToTalk,
+        toggleRecording: shortcuts.toggleRecording,
+        success: result.success,
+      });
+      return result.success;
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.error("Failed to sync shortcuts to native helper", {
+        error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+      });
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
   // Typed event emitter methods
   on<E extends keyof NativeBridgeEvents>(
     event: E,
diff --git a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/KeycodeMap.swift b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/KeycodeMap.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7803d1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/KeycodeMap.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// macOS CGKeyCode to key name mapping
+/// Matches the TypeScript keycode-map.ts for consistency
+private let macOSKeycodeToKey: [Int: String] = [
+    // Letters
+    0: "A",
+    1: "S",
+    2: "D",
+    3: "F",
+    4: "H",
+    5: "G",
+    6: "Z",
+    7: "X",
+    8: "C",
+    9: "V",
+    11: "B",
+    12: "Q",
+    13: "W",
+    14: "E",
+    15: "R",
+    16: "Y",
+    17: "T",
+    31: "O",
+    32: "U",
+    34: "I",
+    35: "P",
+    37: "L",
+    38: "J",
+    40: "K",
+    45: "N",
+    46: "M",
+
+    // Numbers
+    18: "1",
+    19: "2",
+    20: "3",
+    21: "4",
+    22: "6",
+    23: "5",
+    25: "9",
+    26: "7",
+    28: "8",
+    29: "0",
+
+    // Special keys
+    48: "Tab",
+    49: "Space",
+    51: "Delete",
+    52: "Enter",
+    53: "Escape",
+
+    // Function keys
+    122: "F1",
+    120: "F2",
+    99: "F3",
+    118: "F4",
+    96: "F5",
+    97: "F6",
+    98: "F7",
+    100: "F8",
+    101: "F9",
+    109: "F10",
+    103: "F11",
+    111: "F12",
+
+    // Arrow keys
+    123: "Left",
+    124: "Right",
+    125: "Down",
+    126: "Up",
+
+    // Punctuation and symbols
+    27: "-",
+    24: "=",
+    33: "[",
+    30: "]",
+    42: "\\",
+    41: ";",
+    39: "'",
+    43: ",",
+    47: ".",
+    44: "/",
+    50: "`",
+]
+
+/// Convert a macOS CGKeyCode to a key name string
+/// Returns nil if the keycode is not mapped
+func keyCodeToName(_ keyCode: Int) -> String? {
+    return macOSKeycodeToKey[keyCode]
+}
diff --git a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/RpcHandler.swift b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/RpcHandler.swift
index eb0ae49..64264a0 100644
--- a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/RpcHandler.swift
+++ b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/RpcHandler.swift
@@ -147,6 +147,42 @@ class IOBridge: NSObject {
                 rpcResponse = RPCResponseSchema(error: nil, id: request.id, result: nil)
             }
 
+        case .setShortcuts:
+            logToStderr("[IOBridge] Handling setShortcuts for ID: \(request.id)")
+            guard let paramsAnyCodable = request.params else {
+                let errPayload = Error(
+                    code: -32602, data: nil, message: "Missing params for setShortcuts")
+                rpcResponse = RPCResponseSchema(error: errPayload, id: request.id, result: nil)
+                sendRpcResponse(rpcResponse)
+                return
+            }
+
+            do {
+                let paramsData = try jsonEncoder.encode(paramsAnyCodable)
+                let shortcutsParams = try jsonDecoder.decode(
+                    SetShortcutsParamsSchema.self, from: paramsData)
+
+                // Update the ShortcutManager with the new shortcuts
+                ShortcutManager.shared.setShortcuts(
+                    pushToTalk: shortcutsParams.pushToTalk,
+                    toggleRecording: shortcutsParams.toggleRecording
+                )
+
+                let resultPayload = SetShortcutsResultSchema(success: true)
+                let resultData = try jsonEncoder.encode(resultPayload)
+                let resultAsJsonAny = try jsonDecoder.decode(JSONAny.self, from: resultData)
+                rpcResponse = RPCResponseSchema(error: nil, id: request.id, result: resultAsJsonAny)
+
+            } catch {
+                logToStderr(
+                    "[IOBridge] Error processing setShortcuts params: \(error.localizedDescription) for ID: \(request.id)"
+                )
+                let errPayload = Error(
+                    code: -32602, data: request.params,
+                    message: "Invalid params: \(error.localizedDescription)")
+                rpcResponse = RPCResponseSchema(error: errPayload, id: request.id, result: nil)
+            }
+
         default:
             logToStderr("[IOBridge] Method not found: \(request.method) for ID: \(request.id)")
             let errPayload = Error(
diff --git a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/ShortcutManager.swift b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/ShortcutManager.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6e9def
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/ShortcutManager.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Represents the state of modifier keys at a given moment
+struct ModifierState {
+    let fn: Bool
+    let cmd: Bool
+    let ctrl: Bool
+    let alt: Bool
+    let shift: Bool
+}
+
+/// Manages configured shortcuts and determines if key events should be consumed
+/// Thread-safe singleton that can be updated from IOBridge (background thread)
+/// and queried from event tap callback (main thread)
+class ShortcutManager {
+    static let shared = ShortcutManager()
+
+    private var pushToTalkKeys: [String] = []
+    private var toggleRecordingKeys: [String] = []
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private let dateFormatter: DateFormatter
+
+    private init() {
+        self.dateFormatter = DateFormatter()
+        self.dateFormatter.dateFormat = "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.SSS"
+    }
+
+    private func logToStderr(_ message: String) {
+        let timestamp = dateFormatter.string(from: Date())
+        let logMessage = "[\(timestamp)] \(message)\n"
+        FileHandle.standardError.write(logMessage.data(using: .utf8)!)
+    }
+
+    /// Update the configured shortcuts
+    /// Called from IOBridge when setShortcuts RPC is received
+    func setShortcuts(pushToTalk: [String], toggleRecording: [String]) {
+        lock.lock()
+        defer { lock.unlock() }
+        self.pushToTalkKeys = pushToTalk
+        self.toggleRecordingKeys = toggleRecording
+        logToStderr("[ShortcutManager] Shortcuts updated - PTT: \(pushToTalk), Toggle: \(toggleRecording)")
+    }
+
+    /// Check if this key event should be consumed (prevent default behavior)
+    /// Called from event tap callback for keyDown/keyUp events only
+    func shouldConsumeKey(keyCode: Int, modifiers: ModifierState) -> Bool {
+        lock.lock()
+        defer { lock.unlock() }
+
+        // Early exit if no shortcuts configured
+        if pushToTalkKeys.isEmpty && toggleRecordingKeys.isEmpty {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        // Build set of currently active keys (modifiers + this regular key)
+        var activeKeys = Set<String>()
+        if modifiers.fn { activeKeys.insert("Fn") }
+        if modifiers.cmd { activeKeys.insert("Cmd") }
+        if modifiers.ctrl { activeKeys.insert("Ctrl") }
+        if modifiers.alt { activeKeys.insert("Alt") }
+        if modifiers.shift { activeKeys.insert("Shift") }
+
+        // Add the regular key being pressed
+        if let keyName = keyCodeToName(keyCode) {
+            activeKeys.insert(keyName)
+        }
+
+        // PTT: subset match (all PTT keys pressed, possibly with extras)
+        let pttKeys = Set(pushToTalkKeys)
+        let pttMatch = !pttKeys.isEmpty && pttKeys.isSubset(of: activeKeys)
+
+        // Toggle: exact match (only these keys pressed)
+        let toggleKeys = Set(toggleRecordingKeys)
+        let toggleMatch = !toggleKeys.isEmpty && toggleKeys == activeKeys
+
+        return pttMatch || toggleMatch
+    }
+}
diff --git a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/main.swift b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/main.swift
index a526828..3023c59 100644
--- a/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/main.swift
+++ b/packages/native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/main.swift
@@ -61,8 +61,24 @@ func eventTapCallback(
         )
 
         anInstance.sendKeyEvent(helperEvent)
+
+        // Check if this key event matches a configured shortcut and should be consumed
+        // Only check for regular key events (not modifier-only events)
+        let modifiers = ModifierState(
+            fn: event.flags.contains(.maskSecondaryFn),
+            cmd: event.flags.contains(.maskCommand),
+            ctrl: event.flags.contains(.maskControl),
+            alt: event.flags.contains(.maskAlternate),
+            shift: event.flags.contains(.maskShift)
+        )
+
+        if ShortcutManager.shared.shouldConsumeKey(keyCode: Int(keyCode), modifiers: modifiers) {
+            // CONSUME - prevent default behavior (e.g., cursor movement for arrow keys)
+            return nil
+        }
     } else if type == .flagsChanged {
         // Handle flags changed events (like Fn key press/release)
+        // Modifier-only events always pass through - they don't cause unwanted behavior on their own
         let keyCode = event.getIntegerValueField(.keyboardEventKeycode)
 
         let payload = KeyEventPayload(
diff --git a/packages/native-helpers/windows-helper/src/Models/Generated/Models.cs b/packages/native-helpers/windows-helper/src/Models/Generated/Models.cs
index 567de71..461e058 100644
--- a/packages/native-helpers/windows-helper/src/Models/Generated/Models.cs
+++ b/packages/native-helpers/windows-helper/src/Models/Generated/Models.cs
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ namespace WindowsHelper.Models
         public bool? ShiftKey { get; set; }
     }
 
-    public enum Method { GetAccessibilityContext, GetAccessibilityTreeDetails, MuteSystemAudio, PasteText, RestoreSystemAudio };
+    public enum Method { GetAccessibilityContext, GetAccessibilityTreeDetails, MuteSystemAudio, PasteText, RestoreSystemAudio, SetShortcuts };
 
     public enum KeyDownEventType { KeyDown };
 
@@ -586,6 +586,8 @@ namespace WindowsHelper.Models
                     return Method.PasteText;
                 case "restoreSystemAudio":
                     return Method.RestoreSystemAudio;
+                case "setShortcuts":
+                    return Method.SetShortcuts;
             }
             throw new Exception("Cannot unmarshal type Method");
         }
@@ -609,6 +611,9 @@ namespace WindowsHelper.Models
                 case Method.RestoreSystemAudio:
                     JsonSerializer.Serialize(writer, "restoreSystemAudio", options);
                     return;
+                case Method.SetShortcuts:
+                    JsonSerializer.Serialize(writer, "setShortcuts", options);
+                    return;
             }
             throw new Exception("Cannot marshal type Method");
         }
diff --git a/packages/types/scripts/generate-json-schemas.ts b/packages/types/scripts/generate-json-schemas.ts
index 58895da..1812968 100644
--- a/packages/types/scripts/generate-json-schemas.ts
+++ b/packages/types/scripts/generate-json-schemas.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ import {
   RestoreSystemAudioParamsSchema,
   RestoreSystemAudioResultSchema,
 } from "../src/schemas/methods/restore-system-audio.js";
+import {
+  SetShortcutsParamsSchema,
+  SetShortcutsResultSchema,
+} from "../src/schemas/methods/set-shortcuts.js";
 import {
   KeyDownEventSchema,
   KeyUpEventSchema,
@@ -88,6 +92,16 @@ const schemasToGenerate = [
     name: "MuteSystemAudioResult",
     category: "methods",
   },
+  {
+    zod: SetShortcutsParamsSchema,
+    name: "SetShortcutsParams",
+    category: "methods",
+  },
+  {
+    zod: SetShortcutsResultSchema,
+    name: "SetShortcutsResult",
+    category: "methods",
+  },
 ];
 
 schemasToGenerate.forEach(({ zod, name, category }) => {
diff --git a/packages/types/scripts/generate-swift-models.ts b/packages/types/scripts/generate-swift-models.ts
index 680670b..a30b581 100644
--- a/packages/types/scripts/generate-swift-models.ts
+++ b/packages/types/scripts/generate-swift-models.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import fs from "fs";
-import path from "path";
 
 const generatedDir =
   "../native-helpers/swift-helper/Sources/SwiftHelper/models/generated";
@@ -30,6 +29,8 @@ try {
       "generated/json-schemas/methods/mute-system-audio-result.schema.json " +
       "generated/json-schemas/methods/restore-system-audio-params.schema.json " +
       "generated/json-schemas/methods/restore-system-audio-result.schema.json " +
+      "generated/json-schemas/methods/set-shortcuts-params.schema.json " +
+      "generated/json-schemas/methods/set-shortcuts-result.schema.json " +
       "generated/json-schemas/events/key-down-event.schema.json " +
       "generated/json-schemas/events/key-up-event.schema.json " +
       "generated/json-schemas/events/flags-changed-event.schema.json " +
diff --git a/packages/types/src/index.ts b/packages/types/src/index.ts
index 201c428..b086d6d 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/index.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export * from "./schemas/methods/get-accessibility-context.js";
 export * from "./schemas/methods/paste-text.js";
 export * from "./schemas/methods/mute-system-audio.js";
 export * from "./schemas/methods/restore-system-audio.js";
+export * from "./schemas/methods/set-shortcuts.js";
 
 // Event Schemas
 export * from "./schemas/events/key-events.js";
diff --git a/packages/types/src/schemas/methods/set-shortcuts.ts b/packages/types/src/schemas/methods/set-shortcuts.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa9ae80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/types/src/schemas/methods/set-shortcuts.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+// Schema for setShortcuts RPC method
+// Used to sync configured shortcuts to the native helper for event consumption
+
+export const SetShortcutsParamsSchema = z.object({
+  pushToTalk: z.array(z.string()),
+  toggleRecording: z.array(z.string()),
+});
+export type SetShortcutsParams = z.infer<typeof SetShortcutsParamsSchema>;
+
+export const SetShortcutsResultSchema = z.object({
+  success: z.boolean(),
+});
+export type SetShortcutsResult = z.infer<typeof SetShortcutsResultSchema>;
diff --git a/packages/types/src/schemas/rpc/request.ts b/packages/types/src/schemas/rpc/request.ts
index 0a4e735..c08f76f 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/schemas/rpc/request.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/schemas/rpc/request.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const RPCMethodNameSchema = z.union([
   z.literal("pasteText"),
   z.literal("muteSystemAudio"),
   z.literal("restoreSystemAudio"),
-  // Add other method names here
+  z.literal("setShortcuts"),
 ]);
 
 export const RpcRequestSchema = z.object({