macos external USB keyboard command key not working
Solution: Switch Modifier Key Assignment
For some reason the new macbook is detecting the Command ⌘ key as Alt and vice-versa.
Preferences &gt; Keyboard &gt; Modifier Keys... and switch the ⌘ and Alt keys.
Now it works. This was a painful experience so I'm sharing what I wish I had found online. I didn't discover that the command key was actually working until troubleshooting on https://keyboardchecker.com.
The Menu list shortcuts are still greyed out. I don't have a solution for this, but its cosmetic as the shortcuts still work, even ones I assign in keyboard prefs.