How to execute shortcut keys from command line

command linegnomekeyboard shortcutsxorg

I am running Gnome. I would like to execute a shortcut key combination from the command line. For example, type a command that generates the key codes for Ctrl+Alt+Left.

Does anyone know of a way to do this?

Best Answer

You can use xdotool to manufacture keyboard events. See the manual and the examples for how to target a specific window.

xdotool key ctrl+alt+Left

If this is to trigger a functionality of Gnome or the window manager, there may be a separate command line tool for that. For example wmctrl gets and changes window parameters such as titles, position, etc.

Similarly, if this to trigger a functionality of a specific application, there may be a way to do this directly. Of course that entirely depends on the application.

Related Solutions

GNOME 3 Ctrl+Alt+D (show desktop)

System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Navigation > Hide all normal windows

Click the second field which says Disabled and type in a key combination of choice (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+D).

System restart may be required for changes to take effect.

X11 Keyboard Shortcuts Layout Xkb – Shortcut Keys Independent of Keyboard Layout

I often switch between English and Greek layouts and this has been a minor annoyance for a while. Your question pushed me to solve it, so thanks!

I found a program that can do this: xbindkeys. The proceedure I followed (adapted from here) was:

Install xbindkeys. On my Debian this is done with
```
 sudo apt-get install xbindkeys
```

You should also be able to install easily enough with the equivalent yum install or pacman -S or whatever commands.

Create the default settings file:
```
 xbindkeys --defaults > ~/.xbindkeysrc
```
Get the right keycodes for your keys. Run xbindkeys -k and press your desired shortcut. With my keyboard at least (though this should be standard), xbindkeys -k reports that CtrlT is
```
 m:0x14 + c:28
 Control+Mod2 + t
```
Create the relevant shortcut, add these lines to ~/.xbindkeysrc:
```
 "xterm"
  m:0x14 + c:28
```
Run xbindkeys. The shortcut now works even in the Greek layout. To make this permanent, add this to your ~/.Xsession:
```
 xbindkeys
```

Best Answer

Related Solutions

GNOME 3 Ctrl+Alt+D (show desktop)

X11 Keyboard Shortcuts Layout Xkb – Shortcut Keys Independent of Keyboard Layout

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