Difference between revisions of "Xbindkeys"
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[[Category:Keyboards]] | [[Category:Keyboards]] | ||
[[Category:X Server]] | [[Category:X Server]] | ||
+ | [[fr:Xbindkeys]] | ||
[[tr:Xbindkeys]] | [[tr:Xbindkeys]] | ||
− | + | [[ru:Xbindkeys]] | |
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== Xbindkeys == | == Xbindkeys == | ||
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== Installation == | == Installation == | ||
+ | Xbindkeys can be [[Pacman|installed]] with the package {{Pkg|xbindkeys}}, available in the [[official repositories]]. | ||
− | + | For those who prefer a GUI, there is the {{AUR|xbindkeys_config}} package in the [[AUR]]. | |
− | |||
− | |||
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== Configuration == | == Configuration == | ||
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Now you can either edit {{ic|~/.xbindkeysrc}} to set keybindings, or you can do that with the GUI. | Now you can either edit {{ic|~/.xbindkeysrc}} to set keybindings, or you can do that with the GUI. | ||
− | == Xbindkeysrc == | + | === Xbindkeysrc === |
To see the format of a configuration file entry, enter the following command: | To see the format of a configuration file entry, enter the following command: | ||
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{{Tip|Use ''xbindkeys -mk'' to keep the key prompt open for multiple keypresses. Press ''q'' to quit.}} | {{Tip|Use ''xbindkeys -mk'' to keep the key prompt open for multiple keypresses. Press ''q'' to quit.}} | ||
− | == GUI method == | + | === GUI method === |
If you installed the xbindkeys_config package, just run: | If you installed the xbindkeys_config package, just run: | ||
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These instructions are valid for pretty much any one of the XF86 multimedia keys (important ones would be XF86AudioRaiseVolume, XF86AudioLowerVolume, XF86AudioPlay, XF86AudioPrev, XF86AudioNext). | These instructions are valid for pretty much any one of the XF86 multimedia keys (important ones would be XF86AudioRaiseVolume, XF86AudioLowerVolume, XF86AudioPlay, XF86AudioPrev, XF86AudioNext). | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Troubleshooting == | ||
+ | |||
+ | If, for any reason, a hotkey you ''already'' set in {{ic|~/.xbindkeysrc}} doesn't work, open up a terminal and type the following: | ||
+ | xbindkeys -n | ||
+ | |||
+ | By pressing the non-working key, you will be able to see any error xbindkeys encounter (e.g: mistyped command/keycode,...). |
Revision as of 12:55, 2 November 2012
Contents
Xbindkeys
Xbindkeys is a program that enables us to bind commands to certain keys or key combinations on the keyboard. Xbindkeys works with multimedia keys and is window manager / DE independent, so if you switch much, xbindkeys is very handy.
Installation
Xbindkeys can be installed with the package xbindkeys, available in the official repositories.
For those who prefer a GUI, there is the xbindkeys_configAUR package in the AUR.
Configuration
Create a file named .xbindkeysrc
in your home directory:
touch ~/.xbindkeysrc
Now you can either edit ~/.xbindkeysrc
to set keybindings, or you can do that with the GUI.
Xbindkeysrc
To see the format of a configuration file entry, enter the following command:
xbindkeys -k
A blank window will pop up. Press the key(s) to which you wish to assign a command and xbindkeys will output a handy snippet that can be entered into ~/.xbindkeysrc
. For example, while the blank window is open, press Alt + o to get the following output (results may vary):
"(Scheme function)" m:0x8 + c:32 Alt + o
The first line represents a command. The second contains the state (0x8) and keycode (32) as reported by xev
. The third line contains the keysyms associated with the given keycodes. To use this output, copy the three lines to ~/.xbindkeysrc
and replace "(Scheme function)" with the command you wish to perform. Here is an example configuration file that binds Fn key combos on a laptop to amixer
commands that adjust sound volume. Note that pound (#) symbols can be used to create comments.
# Increase volume "amixer set Master playback 1+" m:0x0 + c:123 XF86AudioRaiseVolume # Decrease volume "amixer set Master playback 1-" m:0x0 + c:122 XF86AudioLowerVolume # Toggle mute "amixer set Master toggle" m:0x0 + c:121 XF86AudioMute
GUI method
If you installed the xbindkeys_config package, just run:
xbindkeys_config
Usage
Once you're done configuring your keys, edit your ~/.xinitrc
and place
xbindkeys
before the line that starts your window manager or DE.
Simulating multimedia keys
The XF86Audio* and other multimedia keys[1] are pretty-much well-recognized by the major DEs. For keyboards without such keys, you can simulate their effect with other keys
# Decrease volume on pressing Super-minus "amixer set Master playback 1-" m:0x50 + c:20 Mod2+Mod4 + minus
However, to actually call the keys themselves you can use tools like xdotool[2] (its in [community]) and xmacro[3] (in the AUR). Unfortunately since you'd already be holding down some modifier key (Super or Shift, for example), X will see the result as Super-XF86AudioLowerVolume which won't do anything useful. Here's a script based on xmacro and xmodmap from the xorg-server-utils package for doing this[4].
#!/bin/sh echo 'KeyStrRelease Super_L KeyStrRelease minus' | xmacroplay :0; xmodmap -e 'remove Mod4 = Super_L'; echo 'KeyStrPress XF86AudioLowerVolume KeyStrRelease XF86AudioLowerVolume' | xmacroplay :0; xmodmap -e 'add Mod4 = Super_L';
This works for calling XF86AudioLowerVolume once (assuming you're using Super-minus), but repeatedly calling it without releasing the Super key (like tapping on a volume button) doesn't work. If you'd like it to work that way, add the following line to the bottom of the script.
echo 'KeyStrPress Super_L' | xmacroplay :0
With this modified script, if you press the key combination fast enough your Super_L key will remain 'on' till the next time you hit it, which may result in some interesting side-effects. Just tap it again to remove that state, or use the original script if you want things to 'just work' and do not mind not multi-tapping on volume up/down.
These instructions are valid for pretty much any one of the XF86 multimedia keys (important ones would be XF86AudioRaiseVolume, XF86AudioLowerVolume, XF86AudioPlay, XF86AudioPrev, XF86AudioNext).
Troubleshooting
If, for any reason, a hotkey you already set in ~/.xbindkeysrc
doesn't work, open up a terminal and type the following:
xbindkeys -n
By pressing the non-working key, you will be able to see any error xbindkeys encounter (e.g: mistyped command/keycode,...).