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A simple, yet powerful, productivity tool for AutoCAD is called the “pgp” file.

You can access it by going to Tools—>Customize—>Edit Program Parameters (acad.pgp)

It’s a text file containing user-defined keyboard shortcuts for any AutoCAD command you want to use. It comes with some default shortcuts but you are free to change them, or add to them.

The syntax is pretty simple and self explanatory; just copy an existing line and adapt as appropriate.

When setting up a new version of AutoCAD or moving to a different computer around the office, i always customise my pgp file before doing anything else.

If you haven’t done it before, i suggest you take one hour to think about how you work and the commands you use a lot.

Next, you have to think about your physical position, relative to the keyboard, so you can pick the best shortcuts for you. Do you use your mouse a lot?

If you are like me and use it a lot, a good trick is to keep the shortcuts in the left side of the keyboard, so you can have your left hand on the keyboard and your right hand on your mouse.

My most used shorcuts include only one letter, such as “a”, ”c” and so on. 

The next level includes shorcuts with two of the same letters, such as “aa”, “cc” and so on.

Then, i go up to three of the same letters, such as “aaa”.

I find it easier to type two of the same letter, such as “aa”, than “ae” for example, but it’s a personal choice. Do what works for you

Additional resources:

Improved productivity in AutoCAD from cadmonkey.com at http://www.cadmonkey.com/tut4.htm