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Asked: 2024-09-27T12:27:48+05:30 In:

How can I configure personalized keyboard shortcuts through the terminal in Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to set up my own keyboard shortcuts on Ubuntu, but I keep hitting dead ends. I know that personalized shortcuts can really speed things up, but the whole process feels super overwhelming. I’ve looked through some settings and manuals, but nothing seems to stick, and I don’t want to mess up my system.

So here’s where I’m at: I’ve seen that you can configure shortcuts directly through the GUI, but I want to go a more geeky route and tackle this through the terminal. I mean, it feels way cooler to do it that way, right? Plus, I’m sure there’s more flexibility, and I want to learn something new in the process.

I collect a few commands that I use all the time, like opening specific folders, launching my favorite applications quickly, or even more complex tasks like running scripts. It feels like there’s so much potential here!

What I’m struggling with is how to actually write and apply these custom shortcuts using the terminal. I’ve come across some commands and configurations that look like they might do the trick, but I’m not entirely sure how to put it all together without breaking something. I mean, I don’t want to end up in a situation where my key presses lead to chaos on my desktop, right?

So, if anyone has some insights or can point me in the right direction, that would be awesome. What commands should I be using, and what’s the best way to ensure they work seamlessly? Also, how can I test them without feeling like I’m about to crash my whole system? Any tips for someone who’s trying to dive into configuring keyboard shortcuts from the terminal would be super appreciated. Would love to hear your experiences or any guides you’ve found helpful! Thanks!

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    2 Answers


    1. To set up custom keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu via the terminal, you can use the gsettings command, which allows you to configure various desktop settings. The first step is to determine the name of the specific action you want to associate with a shortcut. For example, if you want to open the terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T, you would run the command:

      gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys custom-keybinding:name 'Path'

      Replace name with your desired shortcut name and Path with the command you want to run, such as gnome-terminal. After creating your custom keybinding, you must set the actual shortcut key combination by running:

      gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybindings '[[name, Path, Shortcut]]'

      In this command, you’ll replace Shortcut with the key combination of your choice (in the format of 'T'). You can also check which current shortcuts exist with:

      gsettings get org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys

      This allows you to easily manage and edit existing shortcuts if necessary. To test them without causing chaos, you can simply open a terminal and run commands individually or use a test user account to ensure no negative impact on your main setup. Building shortcuts this way not only enhances your workflow but also deepens your understanding of the system!







    2. Custom Keyboard Shortcuts on Ubuntu

      Alright, so diving into keyboard shortcuts on Ubuntu via the terminal is totally a neat way to go! Here’s a simple breakdown of how you can get started without messing up your system too much.

      Basic Steps to Set Custom Shortcuts:

      1. Open your terminal: Use Ctrl + Alt + T to quickly launch it.
      2. Find out where your shortcut configuration is: You can use the gsettings command to manage keyboard shortcuts. Run:
        gsettings list-recursively org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys
        to get a list of current shortcuts.
      3. Create a new shortcut: To add a custom shortcut, you’ll want to use a command like this:
        gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybindings "['/path/to/your/shortcut']"
        Replace `/path/to/your/shortcut` with whatever command you want to execute.

      Example of Adding a Shortcut:

      Let’s say you want to open your Documents folder with Ctrl + D. You would do something like this:

                  
            mkdir -p ~/.config/gnome-settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/
            echo "{ 'name':'Documents', 'command':'xdg-open ~/Documents', 'binding':'D' }" > ~/.config/gnome-settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom_keybindings/90-documents.json
            gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybindings custom-keybindings "['/home/your_username/.config/gnome-settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom_keybindings/90-documents.json']"

      Testing Your New Shortcuts:

      Once you set the shortcut, just press the keys you’ve assigned (like Ctrl + D) to see if it works. If it doesn’t do what you expect, double-check the commands and ensure they are correct. You can always remove a shortcut by using:

      gsettings reset org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybindings "/path/to/your/shortcut"

      Some Tips:

      • Start with simple tasks like opening folders or running a script you frequently use.
      • If you want to test a command before binding it to a shortcut, run it directly in the terminal first.
      • Keep a backup of your current settings just in case something doesn’t work out.

      Play around with it, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You can always revert back to defaults if needed. Good luck, and have fun customizing your shortcuts!


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