Any chance you could add an option for turning off all shortcuts at beginning of the game? This would allow players to gradually enable them as the game progresses.

The shortcuts should be disabled by default if the accompanying technologies haven't been researched yet (although they work like vanilla shortcuts, where once the tech is researched, they become unlocked forever for the account). I am going to work on decluttering the armor buttons, however. They will be locked unless the equipment piece is present in the grid. Hope that helps.