Choose Select Subject from the Contextual Task Bar to make a selection.
Last updated on
2 December 2025
Learn how to use the Contextual Task Bar in Photoshop to access the most relevant tools and actions based on your selection or task.
Before you begin
Open an image in Photoshop. The Contextual Task Bar appears as a floating menu on your canvas, showing options relevant to your current task.
The Contextual Task Bar is a dynamic menu based on your current tool selection or active task. It provides quick access to relevant options without requiring you to navigate multiple panels and menus, helping you work more efficiently.
Depending on your workflow needs, you can dock, float, or hide the Contextual Task Bar. The bar updates according to the active tool and is turned on by default. To turn it off, select Window > Contextual Task Bar.
Use the Contextual Task Bar in Photoshop to access context-sensitive tools, options, and next steps for common workflows.
Make and refine selections
You can perform the following functions:
- Refine a selection.
- Create a mask.
- Fill a selected area with a solid color, gradient, or pattern.
- Use Generative Fill to fill the selected area with generated content.
Apply and customize gradients
Select the Gradient tool from the Tools panel.
Drag on the canvas to apply a gradient.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to switch gradient types, reverse colors, or change opacity.
Draw and style shapes
Select a shape tool from the Tools panel.
Draw a shape on your canvas.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to change the fill color, stroke color, stroke width, or adjust other shape properties.
Format text
Select the Horizontal Type tool from the Tools panel.
Drag to draw a text box on the canvas.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to change font, size, color, alignment, and styling.
Transform objects
Press command (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) + T to start a transform workflow.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to:
- Rotate objects clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Flip the image horizontally or vertically.
Select Done to apply the transformation or Cancel to discard it.
Import or generate images
Select File > New to open a new document. The Contextual Task Bar appears on a blank canvas.
Select Import image from the Contextual Task Bar to bring in an existing image from your files.
Select Generate Image to create AI-generated content using Adobe Firefly.
Resize an image
Select the Crop tool from the Tools panel.
Drag the corners or edges of your image to resize the image or expand the canvas.
Select Generative Expand from the Contextual Task Bar to fill the empty area with AI-generated content.
Tip
From the Options bar, select Straighten to align the image, and set the aspect ratio to define your crop dimensions.
Create masks
Make a selection using any selection tool.
Create a mask from a selection.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to:
- Refine your mask by adding or subtracting from your masked area.
- Change how the selection appears with View mode.
- Adjust the Feather and Density settings to refine edges.
Remove unwanted objects
Use a selection tool to outline the object you want to remove.
In the Contextual Task Bar, select the Remove tool currently available in Adobe Photoshop (Beta). Photoshop creates a new layer with the replaced content.
Note
The new result is generative AI content, depending on the qualities of the selected area and its surroundings.
Select Remove tool from the Tools panel to remove unwanted people, wires, and objects, and repair imperfections and blemishes.
