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I use the following command in a bash script file:

xdotool type --clearmodifiers $(xclip -o -sel c)

I invoke it with a shortcut such as CTRL+SHIFT+e

The action works as expected. However, after it completes, the modifier keys remain pressed. That's the problem I need to resolve.

From the xdotool man page, the issue makes some sense:

CLEARMODIFIERS
Any command taking the --clearmodifiers flag will attempt to clear any active input modifiers during the command and restore them afterwards.

I wish they were not restored, but since they are, I need an additional command to clear those modifiers.

Background:

I tried adding these lines at the end of my script file:

xdotool keyup Control
xdotool keyup Shift

That resulted in me not being able to type or even use the mouse correctly.

I'm using KDE and X11. I use the US International keyboard layout and I have the following keyboard customizations set in KDE system settings:

  1. both shift keys together enable caps lock and one shift key disables it
  2. Caps Lock as Ctrl
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  • 1
    You could try using keyup Control keyup Shift at the start of the xdotool command instead of --clearmodifiers which would then not be needed.
    – meuh
    Nov 4, 2019 at 15:05
  • Good idea. I will try that.
    – MountainX
    Nov 14, 2019 at 4:46

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Keydown messages for CTRL+SHIFT+e (the activator keystrokes) have already been sent and the keyup for the modifier keys do not get sent.

sleep 0.2
xdotool keyup Control_L Control_R Shift_L Shift_R

The actual key (e) may also have to be listed in keyup, but I do not have a problem excluding it. The sleep command is not always needed, but placing it before every xdotool command helps speed issues because xdotool is fast.

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