HOWTO: Useful Quick Keys

[paretooptimum]

I thought it would be useful to have a thread on useful quick keys. I'll start, please all contribute your favourites.

<Ctrl> + <Alt> + arrow keys changes workspace

It took me a while to find this one.

[arctic]

the once that i use most frequently:

ctrl + tab = change window tab (e.g. in firefox)
alt + tab = toggle between different applications

[bored2k]

* Firefox *
ctrl + d - Bookmark
alt + d - link
shift + tab - backwards shift
ctrl + f4 - close tab
ctrl + t - new tab

* Epiphany *
ctrl + l - Location

* Gaim *
ctrl d - minimize

[Gandalf]

firefox
ctrl + page down = next tab
ctrl + page up = previous tab


nice tip:
System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts ->Window Management -> Toggle Fullscreen mode, put it to Alt + Enter (my opinion)
then
for any program
alt + enter = full screen

[artio]

I like

left Alt + right Alt

to switch between keyboard layouts.

Unfortunately, it only works one way, i.e. it doesn't switch back. Anybody knows how to fix this?

[ming0]

Here's an AWESOME trick!

Firefox or Opera:

Press '/' and then start typing--press enter to search for the term.
(f3 will find next instance of same word)

[matid]

Here's an AWESOME trick!

Firefox or Opera:

Press '/' and then start typing--press enter to search for the term.
(f3 will find next instance of same word)
Clicking on ' does almost the same, but it searches only between links.

[kuleali]

nice ones!

[razaza]

Here's an AWESOME trick!

Firefox or Opera:

Press '/' and then start typing--press enter to search for the term.
(f3 will find next instance of same word)

Or:
Edit --> Preferences --> Advanced --> Accessibility --> Begin finding when you begin typing

Now, just start typing and FF will begin searching.

[jonny]

Not quite a key press, but my personal favourite: click with the mouse wheel in Nautilus to keep open the window you're clicking from.

[luca_linux]

Ctrl + x = cut
Ctrl + c = copy
Ctrl + v = paste

[basse1989]

I know this one has been posted but, the only one I ever use is ctrl + t in firefox, and ctrl + x/c/v should not be forgotten. :)

And a tip for u guys who like key combinations, I've edited gconf to start gnome-launch-box (http://micke.hallendal.net/gnome-launch-box/) when I press alt + space, gnome-launch-box is a application I really recomend you try.
Check it out!

[sMell]

Nautilus

ALT-DOWN with icon selected descend downwards in hierarchy

ALT-UP ascends to parent folder
(IMO this is now inconsistant with the ****** "spatial" patch)

Hold shift when opening folders or ascending to close the previous window (default behavior) or keep it open (spatial patch --- only when descending)

[Nano]

You haven't mentioned the one I use the most: I set the Windows key for opening nautilus :)

[sMell]

Hold Shift while moving windows around to force alignments

[poofyhairguy]

You haven't mentioned the one I use the most: I set the Windows key for opening nautilus :)


how?

[Stormy Eyes]

ALT+F1 -- access menu
ALT+F2 -- run program
CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE -- for when X gets obnoxious...

[poofyhairguy]

CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE -- for when X gets obnoxious...


I tell Window's converts that this command is the equivalent to ctrl-atl-delete. When you are mad at your desktop, it makes the problems go away and regroup...

[joe_williams]

in Firefox:

Help>Help Contents>Tabbed Browsing>Keyboard Shortcuts (and Mouse Shortcuts)

......a complete list of shortcuts

[hecfran]

Hi everyone! I'm new around in ubuntu and it's quite nice to see this community, always willing to help :-) . Congratulations!!

I just switched from gentoo, I guess I just got tired of compiling everything :roll: and I have to say that ubuntu is one of the best linux distros I've tried. \\:D/ . Gentoo is a really nice one too.

Well, my quick key

In case you're compiling or running any CPU intensive program and you need the full power of your machine (let's say Quake!) in the shell where you started the program, press Ctrl+z and the program is put on hold, later to resume just type fg and Enter. Everything will go on as before.

[Mr_Radarkontakt]

Here's an AWESOME trick!

Firefox or Opera:

Press '/' and then start typing--press enter to search for the term.
(f3 will find next instance of same word)

Firefox:

Ctrl-f --> Write your search string --> Press enter to find next word in the text


//Mr Radarkontakt

[fordfan753]

Ctrl + Alt + Backspace
Ctrl + Alt + + or - (numpad) Cycle Screen Resolutions

KDE has Ctrl + Alt + Esc linked to xkill...but I haven't been able to figure out how to get the equivelant working in gnome....anyone with ideas?

[Nano]

You can assign the Windows key to open your Home folder with Nautilus.

[basse1989]

KDE has Ctrl + Alt + Esc linked to xkill...but I haven't been able to figure out how to get the equivelant working in gnome....anyone with ideas?
I have ctrl + alt + k linked to xkill, you should be able to link ctrl + alt +esc to the same. You can do this in gconf > apps > metacity > global_keybindings/keybindings_commands. Gconf is Applications > System Tools > Configuration Editor.

[Baikonur]

Is it possible to bind winbutton + something as shortcuts?

[basse1989]

yepp

[doclivingston]

You used to be able to use the Windows key as a modifier (like alt, control, etc) in the Keyboard Shortuts prefs, but as os Gnome 2.8 they changed it so that you can use the Windows keys as a shortcut by itself.

The best way I've found of using Windows-something is to edit the shortcuts via GConf-editor. Go to /apps/metacity/global_keybindings or window_keybindings. Where you see <Alt>Key or <Control>Key or somthing, use <Super>Key. Also make sure that you don't have the Windows key bound to something by itself.

[heimo]

Many of my favourites have already been mentioned.

These work in many places (terminal, browser location bar etc):

ctrl+k = kill end of the line
ctrl+w = delete the beginning of the word (when your cursor is at the middle of word)
ctrl+a = go to the beginning of line (EDIT: or select all)
ctrl+e = go to the end of line


EDIT: Oh! This is my latest favourite! I just recently discovered that you can middle click tabs in Firefox to close them.

[crazybill]

ctrl-alt-F1 (or F2-F6) switch to terminal
ctrl-alt-F7 switch back to Gnome

[mariuss]

It took a bit of digging to figure how to add keyboard shortcuts to run arbitrary commands. Here are the steps in case someone else needs them:

- start the GConf Editor: Applications / System Tools / Configuration Editor
- go to /apps/metacity/keybinding_commans
- edit command_1, set it to some command, like kdocker -f
- go to /apps/metacity/global_keybindings
- edit run_command_1, set it to a key combination, like <Super>z

[Sionide]

Some really good suggestions coming in, I always use the 'find as you type' feature under Firefox though, it's brilliant. I tend to use all these shortcuts a lot, because I'm on my laptop - I hate the little touchpad thingy and really need to find a nice new usb mouse I think! :P

[Eproxus]

These are ones that I've configured myself:

<Ctrl><Alt>T - Open Terminal
<Ctrl><Alt>1 - Send window to workspace 1
<Ctrl><Alt>2 - Send window to workspace 2
<Ctrl><Alt>3 - Send window to workspace 3

You can do this too in System->Preferences->Keyboard Shortcuts.

Many favourites are already named earlier. :-)

[Sionide]

Along the same lines as ctrl+x/c/v - don't forget Alt+F4 :P

[flipy]

Not quite a key press, but my personal favourite: click with the mouse wheel in Nautilus to keep open the window you're clicking from.
well, it is really annoying, I want to use just one windows and still use nautilus (no the explorer base)... anyone know how to get rid of it?

[henriquemaia]

Among my favorites ones is Raising Skinny Elephants Is Utterly Boring mnemonic.

This is a sequence of keys presses to use when everything else fails on your system (i.e. ctrl+alt+backspace, for instance)

You press:

Left Alt + SysRq (printscreen key) + r
Left Alt + SysRq + s
Left Alt + SysRq + e
Left Alt + SysRq + i
Left Alt + SysRq + u
Left Alt + SysRq + b

You have to give a little time between key presses.

I have tried this a few times and it works.

(I found this info on this site (http://www.brunolinux.com/01-First_Things_To_Know/Skinny_Elephants.html), back when I was a Mandrake user. The credit of this info should be given to Bruno, the site owner.)

[Arto]

well, it is really annoying, I want to use just one windows and still use nautilus (no the explorer base)... anyone know how to get rid of it?

http://ubuntuguide.org/#openeachfolderssamewindownautilus

[bored2k]

This is IMO the mother of all Quick Keys:

1. Applications > System Tools > Configuration Editor > apps > metacity >
Now here is the interesting part:
2. global keybindings. Here select from the run_command_#, double click on it and in the value put the command you would like [example: <Shift>F1 will run X command when you press Shift+F1].
3. After selecting your command launchers, go to keybinding commands, double click on the command_x you modified previously, and enter the application launcher.

This trick will work with everything. An example is this: I have shift+f1 open beep media player, shift+f2 open nautilus, and so on. That's almost a tips n tricks trick :-P

[henriquemaia]

This is IMO the mother of all Quick Keys:

1. Applications > System Tools > Configuration Editor > apps > metacity >
Now here is the interesting part:
2. global keybindings. Here select from the run_command_#, double click on it and in the value put the command you would like [example: <Shift>F1 will run X command when you press Shift+F1].
3. After selecting your command launchers, go to keybinding commands, double click on the command_x you modified previously, and enter the application launcher.

This trick will work with everything. An example is this: I have shift+f1 open beep media player, shift+f2 open nautilus, and so on. That's almost a tips n tricks trick :-P

You can accomplish that with xbindkeys also. I prefer that way, because you can keep the same shortcuts between desktop environments/window managers. You just have to be sure that xbindkeys is running on startup.

To configure xbindkeys, just edit ~/.xbindkeysrc

I just love it.

[henriquemaia]

You can accomplish that with xbindkeys also. I prefer that way, because you can keep the same shortcuts between desktop environments/window managers. You just have to be sure that xbindkeys is running on startup.

To configure xbindkeys, just edit ~/.xbindkeysrc

I just love it.

If, under a terminal, you type:


sudo apt-get install xbindkeys-config

You'll get a useful gtk frontend to configure your xbindkeys.
After installation, press alt + f2 and type:


xbindkeys-config

And create your shortcut keys.

Just remember to put xbindkeys in your session startup (in whichever Desktop Environment / Window Manager you like to use).

[beerorkid]

Kill capslock I hate the capslock


I never use the Caps Lock button. Never. The only time I "use" it is when I accidently press it and start typing things in UPPERCASE. To disable it in Linux all you have to do is enter this on the command line:

$ xmodmap -e "remove lock = Caps_Lock"

To set this permanently, just stick the above line in your ~/.bashrc file (or /etc/bash.bashrc if you're root) so that it looks something like this:

if [ "$PS1" ]; then
# Disables the bloody CapsLock button
xmodmap -e "remove lock = Caps_Lock"
...
fi
found this somewhere and it works great. Will not work if you are using terminal services (the capslock key still works there)

[kurisutofaa]

home button is also handy sometimes. for example, if you run a command in terminal, but forget to put sudo in the beginning of command, press "home" button and you are in the beginning of command. Then write sudo and press enter. I always forget to put sudo in beginning when it's needed.

[Poul]

Nice howto
Although i knew most of them some of them are new to me. Those are really great tips .Kep up
I guess your always learning...

Edit:
Btw Almost forgot. I don't think i saw it in previous threads : CTRL+SHIFT+V - useful to paste something to console.

[GexNZ]

xbindkeys is an excellent program to run commands with key combinations.
I run most shortcuts of the windows key. ie. To run firefox I press Win+B (for browser), Win+KeyPad 5 to start up beep media player, Win+KeyPad 6 to skip to the next track etc.

My xbindkeys config:
Mod4 = windows key
Mod1 = alt key
'beep-media-player' can be replaced with 'xmms' if you prefer.

# "command name"
# key combination

"firefox"
Mod4+B
"gnome-terminal"
Mod4+T
"nautilus"
Mod4+F
"xscreensaver-command -lock"
Mod4+L
"gnome-system-monitor"
Control+Mod1+Delete

# Beep Media Player
# Play
"beep-media-player -p"
Mod4+KP_5
# Stop
"beep-media-player -s"
Mod4+KP_Insert
# Previous
"beep-media-player -r"
Mod4+KP_Left
# Next
"beep-media-player -f"
Mod4+KP_Right
# Pause/Play
"beep-media-player -t"
Mod4+KP_Delete
# beep-media-player Find
"beepfind_remote"
Mod4+J

[Karl S.]

Okay, totally ignorant here (i.e., be VERY clear when giving instructions).

How would I use xbindkeys or something else to be able to switch back and forth between keyboard layouts? An earlier user mentioned left alt + right alt switches between layouts, but only in one direction. Not good enough.

[recover82]

Want to minimize everything and show the desktop?? I use the "Windows Key + D" religiously when I'm in windows and now that I'm relying more and more on linux, i've found

"Ctrl + Alt + D"

use it. love it.

[filemanager]

Ctrl+Alt+Backspace used to restart Ubuntu, but now it makes my screen go black and takes me to a command line type thing. I'm not sure what I did. Does anyone know how to fix it?

[filemanager]

Does anyone know what the key is to skip to the next chapter on a DVD in xine? The menu says the [Next] button does it, but... I'm not sure what that is. lol

[heimo]

Does anyone know what the key is to skip to the next chapter on a DVD in xine? The menu says the [Next] button does it, but... I'm not sure what that is. lol

For me, Page Up and Page Down seem to move from chapter to chapter, same works in gxine.

[rama]

Want to minimize everything and show the desktop?? I use the "Windows Key + D" religiously when I'm in windows ...
Don't you mean Windows Key + M?

Anyway is there a key combination to open the Gnome menu (like Ctrl + Esc opens the "Start" menu in Win)?

[doclivingston]

Don't you mean Windows Key + M?

Win+M minimised everything, Win+D shows the desktop - the difference is that if you type the latter again, it should put all the windows back.


Anyway is there a key combination to open the Gnome menu (like Ctrl + Esc opens the "Start" menu in Win)?

You can change it, but by default it is Alt-F1 (Alt-F2 is run application)

[mcduck]

nice tip:
System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts ->Window Management -> Toggle Fullscreen mode, put it to Alt + Enter (my opinion)
then
for any program
alt + enter = full screen
Many thanks for this! I've been desperately trying to get snes9x to show games in real fullscreen, nothing has worked. But this did the trick :D

Playing those games from TV, with two DualShocks naturally, really suffered from wrong aspect ratio and gnome panels on top and bottom of the screen.