Keyboard shortcuts
From Fluxbox-wiki
Contents |
For version 1.1.1 and later
Please refer to the manpage fluxbox-keys(5), as it is more up-to-date than this wiki page. Some of the sections below may serve as a useful supplement to the man page.
How to use the keys file
The keys file is usually ~/.fluxbox/keys. It can be edited with an editor of your choice. When you're done editing, select "Reload config" from the menu for your changes to take effect. As an alternative, you can bind a key to Reconfigure as described below. The following is basically stolen from akira's keyfile. Take a look at it since it's the most complete one.
The syntax for a keybinding is quite easy:
<mod> [<mod> <mod>] key [key key] :command <command_options>
<mod> is what we call a "modifier" and you can use 'xmodmap -pm' from the command-line to see what modifiers are available. Typical modifiers to be use in the keys file are:
Mod1 == Alt Mod4 == Windows key Control == Ctrl Shift == Shift
If you want to find out the name of a key, open a terminal and run 'xev'. When the "Event Tester" window has focus, it will capture mouse movement, mouse clicks, and keypress events, then provide output in the terminal. If a key you want to use has no name, you can use its keycode and Fluxbox will still understand.
Here are a few examples:
Control i :ExecCommand xterm # Ctrl+i will bring up an xterm Mod4 4 :Workspace 4 # Windowskey+4 will change to workspace 4 None F12 :ExecCommand firefox # F12 will start Firefox Control Mod1 r :exec fbrun # Ctrl+Alt+r will bring up the Fluxbox command dialog Mod1 Shift F4 :KillWindow # Alt+Shift+F4 kills the focused window Mod1 113 :exec xterm # Just to show the keycode usage
A basic, common command is ExecCommand, or Exec if you like it shorter. You can execute apps, scripts (take care of $PATH), set things via 'xset' and so on with it.
Some things to know
- Commands are case-insensitive
- Workspace numbering starts at 1
- Some commands have synonyms
- The space between the last key and the ":" is mandatory.
Fluxkeys
Caution: Currently the fluxkeys utility is out of date and will break your ~/.fluxbox/keys file.
Mouse Events
Since SVN r4704, Fluxbox now handles mouse events in the keys file. (details)
Figuring out the name of a mouse event is similar to figuring it out for a key. Just run 'xev' like before and use the button/wheel in the "Event Tester" window. It usually generates a "ButtonPress" event, which will include the button number. Mouse buttons also add a new modifier called OnDesktop, which makes the mouse event only trigger if it's on the desktop (AKA root window). This only works with mouse buttons and has to be called before each mouse event that wants to be triggered only on the root window.
For example, the typical Fluxbox behavior of mouse wheel up/down on root window to change desktop would be:
OnDesktop Mouse4 :nextWorkspace OnDesktop Mouse5 :prevWorkspace
You can also keychain mouse events.
If your keys file didn't get updated automatically, the default behaviour comes with following:
OnDesktop Mouse1 :HideMenus
OnDesktop Mouse2 :WorkspaceMenu
OnDesktop Mouse3 :RootMenu
OnDesktop Mouse4 :PrevWorkspace
OnDesktop Mouse5 :NextWorkspace
# In 1.1 versions of fluxbox:
OnToolbar Mouse4 :PrevWorkspace
OnToolbar Mouse5 :NextWorkspace
OnWindow Mod1 Mouse1 :MacroCmd {Raise} {Focus} {StartMoving}
OnWindow Mod1 Mouse3 :MacroCmd {Raise} {Focus} {StartResizing NearestCorner}
OnWindow Mod1 Mouse2 :Lower
OnTitlebar Control Mouse1 :StartTabbing
OnTitlebar Double Mouse1 :Shade
OnTitlebar Mouse2 :Lower
OnTitlebar Mouse3 :WindowMenu
Keychains
Fluxbox can handle keychains in a similar way to emacs. For example:
Control n Mod1 n :Close # ctrl+n alt+n will close the focused window None F11 F12 :ExecCommand ssh example.com # F11 F12 runs 'ssh'
Note that to use a keychain without modifiers, "None" should only be used once. "None F11 None F12" will not work. Use "None F11 F12" as shown above instead.
Fluxbox Keycommands
There are plenty of internal commands to make life easier. Use them the same way as above just exchange the Exec[Command] part with the one you want to use.
Window Manager Commands
Restart <argument> # Restarts fluxbox, argument can be the binary of another window manager to which will be switched Quit # Exits Fluxbox Exit # Exits Fluxbox Reconfigure # Reloads the config Reload Style # Reloads the style if any files were changed SetStyle <argument> # Sets a specific style. useful for a standard style for testing purposes ExecCommand <argument> # Executes a command. look above for what the argument can be Exec <argument> # Executes a command. look above for what the argument can be
Currently Focused Window Commands
Fullscreen # Makes the focused window fullscreen covering all components, even if they are set to a higher layer Minimize # Minimizes the focused window. equivalent to the windowbutton MinimizeWindow # Minimizes the focused window. equivalent to the windowbutton Iconify # Minimizes the focused window. equivalent to the windowbutton Maximize # Maximizes the focused window. equivalent to the windowbutton MaximizeWindow # Maximizes the focused window. equivalent to the windowbutton MaximizeHorizontal # Maximizes the focused window horizontally MaximizeVertical # Maximizes the focused window vertically ResizeTo <width> <height> # Resizes the focused window to the specified values Resize <delta-width> <delta-height> # Scroll down for some further information on this command ResizeHorizontal <delta-width> # Scroll down for some further information on this command ResizeVertical <delta-height> # Scroll down for some further information on this command MoveTo <x> <y> <ref corner> # Scroll down for some further information on this command Move <delta-x> <delta-y> # Scroll down for some further information on this command MoveRight <delta-x> # Scroll down for some further information on this command MoveLeft <delta-x> # Scroll down for some further information on this command MoveUp <delta-y> # Scroll down for some further information on this command MoveDown <delta-y> # Scroll down for some further information on this command Raise # Raises the focused window Lower # Lowers the focused window RaiseLayer # Raises the focused window one layer. LowerLayer # Lowers the focused window one layer. SetLayer <layer-name> # Sets the focused window on the specified layer Close # Closes the focused window. same as the windowbutton Shade # Shades the focused window. same as the windowbutton ShadeWindow # Shades the focused window. same as the windowbutton Stick # Makes the focused window sticky/unsticky. same as the windowbutton StickWindow # Makes the focused window sticky/unsticky. same as the windowbutton ToggleDecor # Makes the focused window borderless SendToWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the workspace given by number SendToNextWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the next workspace given by number SendToPrevWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the previous workspace given by number TakeToWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the workspace given by number and switches the view to it TakeToNextWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the next workspace given by number and switches the view to it TakeToPrevWorkspace <number> # Sends the focused window to the previous workspace given by number and switches the view to it KillWindow # Kills the focused window NextTab # Switches to the next tab of the focused window PrevTab # Switches to the previous tab of the focused window MoveTabLeft # Moves the focused tab to the left MoveTabRight # Moves the focused tab to the right DetachClient # Detaches the focused tab from a group SetHead <int> # Sets the default head for a window --> xinerama FocusUp # Sets the focus to the window north of the focused one FocusDown # Sets the focus to the window south of the focused one FocusLeft # Sets the focus to the window west of the focused one FocusRight # Sets the focus to the window east of the focused one StartResizing <what> # Starts resizing the focused window (fore more see below...)
Workspace Commands
NextWorkspace <by-number> # Switches "number" workspaces to the right PrevWorkspace <by-number> # Switches "number" workspaces to the left RightWorkspace <by-number> # Switches "number" workspaces to the right without wrapping around LeftWorkspace <by-number> # Switches "number" workspaces to the left without wrapping around Workspace <number> # Switches to the workspace given by number NextWindow <bitmask> # Scroll down for further information PrevWindow <bitmask> # Scroll down for further information NextGroup <bitmask> # Same as NextWindow but cycles through groups only PrevGroup <bitmask> # Same as PrevWindow but cycles through groups only ArrangeWindows # Arranges windows :) ShowDesktop # Iconifies all windows of the current workspace RootMenu # Pops up the right-click menu WorkspaceMenu # Pops up the middle-click menu WindowMenu # Pops up the windowtitle menu SetWorkspaceName <name> # Renames the current workspace Deiconify <mode> <dest> # Restores minimized windows
Special Commands
MacroCmd #scroll down for further information ToggleCmd #scroll down for further information ReloadStyle #reloads the style SetResourceValue <rc_name> <resource> value #to be done...no one will ever need this! BindKey <key><value>: <action> #creates an "on the fly" keycommand ChangeWorkspace called each time the workspace changes
Explanation
- TakeToWorkspace will send you along with the window to the selected workspace. SendToWorkspace just sends the window.
- PrevWindow/NextWindow parameters take a bitmask:
- 0 or unspecified = Default/current behavior - no skipping
- 1 cycle groups
- 2 skip stuck windows
- 4 skip shaded windows
- 8 cycle linear (use the same order every time)
For example, the following will skip any window that's, stuck or shaded since 6 = 4 + 2.
Mod1 tab :NextWindow 6
Configuration file version 13 (look for "FBCV13" in your keys file) requires this syntax. This example cycles through all windows on the current workspace (and current head your mouse is on):
Mod1 Tab :NextWindow (workspace=[current]) (head=[mouse])
- Deiconify has options for which windows to deiconify and which workspace they should be restored to.
- mode: All | AllWorkspace | Last | LastWorkspace
- dest: Current | Origin
- BindKey will append key string and action to your keys file and bind the key.
- A delta value means the difference between the current setting and the requested setting. Assume your window 100 is pixels wide.
Mod1 r :ResizeHorizontal 10
When you use that key it would increase the size of your window to 110 pixels. If you had used the following command, it would have decreased the size by 10, setting it to 90 pixels.
Mod1 R :ResizeHorizontal -10
- The syntax of the MoveTo command is the following:
:MoveTo [int|*] [int|*] [reference corner]
The wildcard * means "use current value" and 'reference corner' is one of the following:
- Left, Right
- Upper, UpperLeft, UpperRight
- Lower, LowerLeft, LowerRight
Examples:
:MoveTo 0 * Left -> snap to left workspace edge :MoveTo * 0 Lower -> snap to lower workspace edge :MoveTo 0 0 UpperRight -> snap to upper right workspace corner
- Grouped parameters of the StartResizing command (case doesn't matter!):
- NearestCorner, NearestEdge
- TopLeft, Top, TopRight
- Left, Center, Right
- BottomLeft, Bottom, BottomRight
Examples:
:OnWindow Mod1 Mouse3 :StartResizing BottomRight # Fluxbox default (?) :OnWindow Mod1 Mouse3 :StartResizing NearestCorner # used in most other window manager
- ChangeWorkspace
Examples:
# changes you background image (requires images bg0.png...bgX.png in ~/.fluxbox/ directory):
:ChangeWorkspace :Exec fbsetbg ~/.fluxbox/bg$(xprop -root _NET_CURRENT_DESKTOP | awk '{print $3}').png
# displays your workspace name.
:ChangeWorkspace :Exec osdctl -s $(xprop -root _NET_CURRENT_DESKTOP _WIN_WORKSPACE_NAMES | sed 's/[,"]//g' | awk 'NR==1 {cur=$3} NR==2 {name=$(3+cur); print name ","}')
- RaiseLevel/LowerLevel
Note that there is a layer between named layers so you need to RaiseLayer twice to get from Normal layer to Top layer.
MacroCmd Syntax
Mod1 r :MacroCmd {command1} {command2} {command3}...
MacroCmd allows you to execute more than one command with a single keybinding. The commands given to MacroCmd will be executed in the order they are supplied, and can be either Exec[Command] or internal commands such as ShowDesktop.
Example:
Mod1 u :MacroCmd {Moveto 10 5} {ResizeTo 1260 590}
Mod1 o :MacroCmd {MoveTo 10 600} {ResizeTo 1250 380}
The first command could be used to move and resize your browser to the upper corner of the screen, while the second could be used in a terminal windows, to move and resizes it below.
ToggleCmd Syntax
Mod1 t :ToggleCmd {command1} {command2}
This alternates between the given commands each time you press Mod1 + t. For example, you could use ShowDesktop and DeIconify all originquiet. The command to make Windows-key + m minimize all windows, and then bring them back is:
Mod4 m :ToggleCmd {ShowDesktop} {DeIconify all originquiet}
Combining ToggleCmd and MacroCmd
<mod> <key> :ToggleCmd {MacroCmd {<command_1>} {<command_2}} {MacroCmd {<command_1>} {<command_2}}
ToggleCmd and MacroCmd can be used in unison in order to use one keybinding for two macros. It's an advanced way to use keys, but it may not be of any value to you. Be creative and see what you can come up with.
Minimalistic Application Usage
Fluxbox promotes minimalistic usage, and to keep in-line with this approach, you can prevent more than one instance of an application to be
wmctrl
Check if you have wmctrl installed
which wmctrl
If it is installed, you will be presented with the path, if not, you will be told. If not please install using your distrobution's package install method.
The easiest way to switch to application if it exists or launch it if not is to use wmctrl's -a option.
wmctrl -a firefox || firefox
This will search for a window with `firefox' in its title (case-insensitive), the `||' will create a new firefox instance if wmctrl couldn't find one. You can then add this to your keys file:
Control Mod1 f :ExecCommand wmctrl -a firefox || firefox
In general, you can search for anything and open anything else, the syntax is
wmctrl -a $SEARCHTERM || $APP
Another longer approach is below:
Save the script below as 'find_app.sh' (anywhere in your filesystem)
#!/bin/bash
# Find_app
# Author: Lucas van Staden (lvs at dedmeet.com / www.dedmeet.com)
# This little script will try and find the application attempting to start
# in the running processes, and if found, focus the application
# if not found, a new instance will start
# usage:
# find_app.sh <application with full path>
# params
# 1 - application to start (full path)
# helper applications
WMCTRL=`which wmctrl`;
GREP=`which grep`;
APPLICATION=$1;
BASENAME=`basename $APPLICATION`;
BASENAME=`echo $BASENAME | tr "[:upper:]" "[:lower:]"`
FOUND=0;
function findwindow {
# 1 = BASENAME
# 2 = WMCTRL
# 3 = GREP
IFS=$'\n';
for RUNNING in `$2 -l -x`
do
if [ `echo $RUNNING | tr "[:upper:]" "[:lower:]" | $3 -c $1` -gt 0 ]
then
HOSTNAME=`hostname`
WINDOW=${RUNNING#*${HOSTNAME} }
$2 -a $WINDOW
FOUND=1;
fi;
done
}
findwindow $BASENAME $WMCTRL $GREP;
if [ $FOUND -eq 0 ]
then
$APPLICATION &
sleep 2;
# Try and find the application, after opened
findwindow $BASENAME $WMCTRL $GREP;
if [ $FOUND -eq 0 ]
then
# Still not found, wait a bit more, and try again
sleep 3;
findwindow $BASENAME $WMCTRL $GREP;
fi
fi
Make sure the script is executable
chmod +x find_app.sh
Now in your keys file, in place of calling the application directly, use the wrapper script above, for example the following line in the keys file
Control Mod1 f :ExecCommand ~/.fluxbox/scripts/find_app.sh /usr/bin/firefox
will try and start firefox, but if firefox is already running, then it will be set as the active, top-most application, and you will be moved to the desktop where it is running. If firefox is not running, it will be started as usual, and after a short delay, you will be moved to the desktop where it started up.
You can now use the keypress, not just to start an application, but to find an open instance.
xdotool
Refer to posts here: [1]
#!/bin/bash # # Show an application window or launch the application if no window # could be found. # # Requires xdotool. (http://www.semicomplete.com/projects/xdotool) # # To "show" means "switch to the window's desktop, then raise and # focus the window." # # If the --move option is supplied, the window will be moved to the # current desktop before raising and focusing it. # # The method for finding an existing window that is associated with # the supplied command relies on the assumption that the basename of # the first word of the command matches either the "name" or "class" # portion of the window's WM_CLASS property. # # See http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=80554 for details. # # Author: Henning Bekel <h.bekel at googlemail.com>. Inspired by a # similar script written by Lucas van Staden <lvs at dedmeet.com / # www.dedmeet.com> usage () { echo "Usage: $(basename $0) [-m|--move] command" echo echo " -m, --move : move the window to the current desktop instead of" echo " switching to the desktop the window is at." exit 1 } # show usage if no arguments were given or --help was requested [[ $# -eq 0 || "$1" =~ ^(-h|--help)$ ]] && usage move=0 wid= # test for --move option if [[ "$1" =~ ^(-m|--move)$ ]]; then move=1 shift fi mapped? () { # test wether a window exists whose WM_CLASS name or class # property matches the binary name supplied. Not using --title # assures we don't switch to some window which happens to contain # the binary name as well (i.e. a web browser). wid="$(xdotool search --name --class $(basename "$1") | head -1)" [[ "$wid" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] } show () { # show the window, that is: # 1. move the window to the current desktop if requested # 2. switch to the window's desktop, raise and focus if [[ move -eq 1 ]]; then xdotool set_desktop_for_window $wid $(xdotool get_desktop) fi xdotool windowactivate $wid &> /dev/null } if mapped? "$1"; then show else # launch the command in the background and remove it from jobs $* & disown # wait until the window has been created. We'll exit after 10 # retries to avoid an infinite loop in case the application failed # to launch at all. retry=10 until mapped? "$1"; do sleep 1 ((retry-=1)) [[ retry -eq 0 ]] && exit 1 done # the window may be on a different desktop now, so we'll show it # again to either move it here (--move) or switch to it's desktop show fi
