7

I am running Gnome. I would like to execute a shortcut key combination from the command line. For example, type a command that generates the key codes for Ctrl+Alt+Left.

Does anyone know of a way to do this?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
6

You can use xdotool to manufacture keyboard events. See the manual and the examples for how to target a specific window.

xdotool key ctrl+alt+Left

If this is to trigger a functionality of Gnome or the window manager, there may be a separate command line tool for that. For example wmctrl gets and changes window parameters such as titles, position, etc.

Similarly, if this to trigger a functionality of a specific application, there may be a way to do this directly. Of course that entirely depends on the application.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks that works! The command above should be xdotool key ctrl+alt+Left though.
    – austinmarton
    May 16, 2011 at 22:45

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .