Ubuntu Shortcut Keys: Customize & Assign Your Own
Customizing Shortcut Keys in Ubuntu
Ubuntu’s standard shortcut key configuration tools offer limited functionality. They don’t readily permit the assignment of hotkeys to user-defined applications or scripts. However, this restriction can be circumvented by utilizing the integrated gconf-editor utility.
Accessing gconf-editor
To begin, launch gconf-editor. This can be achieved by typing its name into the Alt+F2 Run dialog. The interface will be familiar to those acquainted with the Windows Registry Editor (regedit).
Navigate to the following key within the application:
apps / metacity / keybinding_commands
Defining Custom Commands
On the right-hand side, you’ll observe a series of values. These represent the commands available for assignment to shortcut keys in the subsequent step.
Double-click on command_1. Input the complete file path to the script or executable you intend to execute. The which command, used from the shell, is often helpful in determining the correct path.
Assigning Shortcut Keys
Now, navigate to the global_keybindings key, located directly above the previously accessed one.
Select run_command_1. Enter the desired shortcut key combination in plain text format. For example, to assign Alt+T, use <Alt>T.
Alternatives include <Ctrl>T, <Alt><Ctrl>T, or any other preferred combination. You can also define additional custom commands within keybinding_commands and then assign them within global_keybindings.
Remember that keybindings will be prefixed with run_ followed by the command name.