In the modern digital age, email remains one of the most essential tools for communication, particularly in professional settings. Yet, managing email can often feel overwhelming and time-consuming. Enter Superhuman—a powerful, lightning-fast email client designed to streamline this process and boost your productivity. With its intuitive design, keyboard shortcuts, and advanced search capabilities, Superhuman is transforming the way busy professionals handle email. But to truly harness its potential, you need to set it up correctly and learn to use its features effectively.
Why Choose Superhuman?
Before getting into the “how,” it’s worth understanding the “why.” Superhuman isn’t just another email client. It promises a radically faster and more efficient experience. Users frequently report saving hours each week thanks to its well-engineered interface and time-saving features like instant search, intelligent triage, and AI-powered email writing tools.
Here are some standout reasons people love Superhuman:
- Speed: Everything happens instantly. Emails load blazingly fast.
- Keyboard first: You can perform nearly every action with a keyboard shortcut.
- Superfast Search: Search is real-time and incredibly intuitive.
- Reminders and Snooze: Keep your inbox clean and return to emails when you need them.
- Send Later and Read Receipts: Time your emails and know when they’ve been read.
Getting Started With Superhuman
Superhuman operates differently from traditional email clients like Gmail or Outlook. Getting started is a personalized process—the company onboards you through a one-on-one video call to ensure everything is configured to your workflow.
1. Sign-Up and Onboarding
Superhuman is an invite-only platform, though you can request access via their website. Once accepted, you’ll schedule a 30-minute session with a Superhuman expert. In this session, they’ll help you:
- Connect your Gmail or Outlook account.
- Customize keyboard shortcuts.
- Learn the basic features and productivity best practices.
This curated onboarding ensures you do not feel lost or overwhelmed as you begin using the platform.
2. Syncing and Layout Configuration
Superhuman seamlessly syncs with Gmail and G Suite. Once connected, your entire inbox, labels, and settings are accessible in Superhuman’s native desktop app.
When configuring the layout, prioritize the following:
- Split Inbox: Divide your emails into categories like VIP, Newsletters, and Work.
- The Command Palette: A central hub to access any command instantly.
- Theme Customization: Choose light/dark mode based on preference and work environment.
Mastering Superhuman’s Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the most powerful aspects of Superhuman is its keyboard-centric design. It’s like using a command-line interface for your inbox, with nearly every function mapped to a key or combo.
Here are some must-know shortcuts:
- Cmd + K (Mac) / Ctrl + K (Windows): Opens the command palette.
- E: Archive conversation (for Inbox Zero fans).
- S: Snooze email for later.
- Cmd + Enter: Send email instantly.
- Cmd + Shift + R: Remind you about an email if no one replies.
Spend time getting used to these commands. Once they become muscle memory, you’ll notice a significant jump in your efficiency.
Using Split Inbox For Better Focus
Split Inbox is a powerful tool in Superhuman for staying organized. It allows you to sort emails based on context or priority, so you can focus on what matters most at any given time.
Example splits include:
- VIP: Emails from your manager, executive team, or critical clients.
- Newsletters: Subscription-based emails.
- Finance: Invoices, receipts, and payroll communications.
To set up a split, simply use the command palette and type in “Split Inbox.” From there, you can filter based on sender, labels, domains, or keywords.
Supercharge with Reminders and Follow-Up
Ever forget to reply to a critical email? Superhuman’s Remind Me feature ensures that never happens again. Set a reminder for any message, and Superhuman will bring it back into your inbox if you don’t receive a reply.
You can set reminders like:
- “Remind me if no response in 2 days”
- “Remind me next Monday at 10am”
This is invaluable for project tracking, deal follow-ups, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Sending Email Like a Pro
One often overlooked feature is Send Later. Timing is everything in business communications. Superhuman lets you time your messages to land when your recipient is most likely to respond—such as early in the morning or just after lunch breaks.
You can also track message reads effortlessly using Read Receipts. No more guessing whether that critical proposal was received. Combine this feature with follow-up to ensure conversations move forward.
Using AI to Draft Smarter Replies
Superhuman has incorporated AI to help you write better emails, faster. The Smart Answer feature offers suggestions for email responses or can even generate complete draft emails based on your style and previous interactions.
This works wonderfully when:
- Responding to customer inquiries.
- Submitting quick project updates.
- Handling repetitive requests.
You still retain complete control—review and customize the generated content before sending. It’s a massive time saver and keeps your communication sharp and professional.
Achieving Inbox Zero
Superhuman makes reaching Inbox Zero not just a dream but an attainable goal. With one-touch archiving (just press “E”), snoozing, and follow-up tools, you can process and organize your inbox with lightning speed.
For best results:
- Start your day by processing all emails using priority splits.
- Respond immediately if the reply takes under 2 minutes.
- Archive or snooze the rest strategically.
The more consistent you are, the less clutter your inbox accumulates, and your email stress diminishes significantly.
Mobile App and On-the-Go Productivity
Superhuman isn’t just confined to desktop. Their mobile app brings all major features to your iPhone, letting you stay productive on the move. Keyboard shortcuts are mobile-optimized, and you can access your splits, reminders, and follow-ups anywhere.
This is especially useful for executives, entrepreneurs, and sales teams who work across multiple locations.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who deals with a high volume of emails and values speed, clarity, and efficiency, Superhuman could be a game-changer. While it comes with a premium price tag, its productivity benefits often outweigh the cost, especially for high-level professionals.
By mastering its system—from keyboard shortcuts to split inboxes, reminders, and send-later functionality—you can reclaim hours every week. Ultimately, Superhuman isn’t about just reading emails faster; it’s about freeing up your time to focus on what truly matters.
So, whether you’re a tech entrepreneur, a senior executive, or simply someone drowning in digital communication, Superhuman may very well be the productivity boost you’ve been looking for.