diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index 7b499b320..e5e86b3d5 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@ Template for new versions:
 - `devel/datamine`: watch live values for changes and diff structure snapshots to aid script development and reverse engineering
 
 ## New Features
-- `gui/unit-info-viewer`: the unit character sheet now shows the viewed unit's current and long-term mood, color-coded by stress level
+- `gui/create-item`: quality selection prompt now has 0-5 hotkeys matching the quality levels
 - `gui/mod-manager`: warn when loading a preset that doesn't include vanilla mods that were added to the game after the preset was saved
+- `gui/unit-info-viewer`: the unit character sheet now shows the viewed unit's current and long-term mood, color-coded by stress level
 - `idle-crafting`: support cloth, silk, and yarn crafts
 
 ## Fixes
diff --git a/docs/gui/create-item.rst b/docs/gui/create-item.rst
index 580dec5f1..0d0f974bc 100644
--- a/docs/gui/create-item.rst
+++ b/docs/gui/create-item.rst
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ gui/create-item
 
 This tool provides a graphical interface for creating items of your choice. It
 walks you through the creation process with a series of prompts, asking you
-for the type of item, the material, the quality, and the quantity.
+for the type of item, the material, the quality, and the quantity. At the
+quality prompt, you can also press ``0``-``5`` to select a quality level
+directly.
 
 If a unit is selected, that unit will be designated the creator of the summoned
 items. Any item with a "sized for" property, like armor, will be created for
diff --git a/gui/create-item.lua b/gui/create-item.lua
index cf5c12a25..cc58855a7 100644
--- a/gui/create-item.lua
+++ b/gui/create-item.lua
@@ -165,12 +165,13 @@ local function getMatFilter(itemtype, opts)
 end
 
 local function qualityTable()
-    return { { 'None' },
-        { '-Well-crafted-' },
-        { '+Finely-crafted+' },
-        { '*Superior*' },
-        { string.char(240) .. 'Exceptional' .. string.char(240) },
-        { string.char(15) .. 'Masterwork' .. string.char(15) },
+    -- number the options 0-5 to match the item_quality enum
+    return { { 'None', key='STRING_A048' },
+        { '-Well-crafted-', key='STRING_A049' },
+        { '+Finely-crafted+', key='STRING_A050' },
+        { '*Superior*', key='STRING_A051' },
+        { string.char(240) .. 'Exceptional' .. string.char(240), key='STRING_A052' },
+        { string.char(15) .. 'Masterwork' .. string.char(15), key='STRING_A053' },
     }
 end