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Asked: 2024-09-25T05:09:45+05:30 In:

How can I assign a keyboard shortcut to launch a new instance of the currently active application in Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into Ubuntu lately, and I stumbled upon something that’s really bugging me. You know how sometimes you just want to quickly open another window of an app you’re using without going through the whole menu and finding it again? It feels like it should be super simple, but I can’t figure it out!

I’ve been using a mix of keyboard shortcuts, but I want to assign a specific one that will let me launch a new instance of whatever app I’m currently using with just a quick key combo. It’s such a hassle to have to click the icon in the dock or search for it again, especially when I’m in the middle of something and trying to keep my flow going. Isn’t there a way to make this easier?

I dove into a bunch of forums and tutorials, but the info seems to be really scattered and some of it feels outdated. Plus, what works for one version of Ubuntu doesn’t always seem to work for another, you know? I saw a few mentions of tweaks in the settings and maybe needing to make some changes to a config file, but honestly, that sounds a bit daunting.

Does anyone have a step-by-step or maybe just some simple advice on how to set this up? Or have you done something similar that actually works? I’d love to hear your tips or any experiences you’ve had setting keyboard shortcuts.

Also, if you’ve managed to do this, what shortcut did you choose? I’d want something memorable, not something I’ll forget. I really want to avoid any accidental actions that might open, I don’t know, like 30 instances of the same app and turn my workspace into chaos! So if you’ve got some recommendations, please share.

I feel like this is a small thing, but it can make a huge difference in my daily workflow. Just want to be more efficient and keep things flowing smoothly. Help a fellow Ubuntu user out!

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    2 Answers



    1. Ubuntu Tips for Opening New App Instances

      Quick Tips for Opening New Instances of Apps in Ubuntu

      I totally get your struggle! Opening new instances of an app can be super annoying when you’re trying to be productive. Fortunately, there’s definitely a way to make it easier!

      Step-by-Step Guide:

      1. First, make sure you’re in the “Settings” menu. You can find it by clicking on the top-right corner of your screen and selecting the gear icon.
      2. In Settings, look for the “Keyboard” section. Click on that!
      3. Now, scroll down to the “Custom Shortcuts” area. This is where you can assign new key combinations.
      4. Click on the “+” button to add a new shortcut. You’ll need to fill in a couple of details:
        • Name: Give it a memorable name like “New Instance of Current App”.
        • Command: This is the tricky part. You’ll need to use the command to launch the app. For example, for Firefox, you’d type `firefox &` (the `&` is important because it runs it in the background!). If you’re using another app, just replace “firefox” with the appropriate command.
      5. Once you’ve added that, click on the “Set Shortcut” button and choose a combination. A good choice could be Ctrl + Alt + N or something similar that you won’t accidentally hit. Just make sure it’s not already in use!
      6. After that, hit “Add” to save it. You’re all set!

      Additional Tips:

      • Be cautious with the shortcut you choose! You don’t want it to conflict with existing ones, or else you might end up with multiple instances opening when you didn’t mean to.
      • If you make a mistake or want to change things later, you can always come back to the same place in settings and edit or delete your custom shortcut.

      This should really help you streamline the process of getting new windows open quickly. If you ever find a combination that works perfectly for you, remember to keep it saved somewhere, just in case! Good luck, and may your workflow be smooth!




    2. Quickly Open New Instances in Ubuntu

      To open a new instance of the current application in Ubuntu without navigating through menus, you can set a custom keyboard shortcut. The default behavior for many applications, like terminal emulators, is to allow new instances through specific keystrokes, but for others, you’ll need to configure it yourself. First, go to Settings and navigate to the Keyboard section, then choose the “Custom Shortcuts” option. Click the “+” button to add a new shortcut. In the name field, you might enter something descriptive like “New Instance.” In the command field, use a command specific to the application you want to open (for example, for Firefox, it could be `firefox –new-window`). Finally, set your preferred combination of keys, such as `Ctrl + Alt + N` for easy access.

      As for the choice of keyboard shortcut, it’s best to use one that won’t conflict with existing shortcuts or cause unintentional actions. Consider using a combination that includes the `Super` key (Windows key), like `Super + N`, as this is less likely to be used by other applications. It’s a small adjustment, but it can significantly improve your workflow by keeping your focus on the task at hand. After setting this up, you should be able to launch a new instance of your application quickly without breaking your flow!


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