Updated June 8, 2023
Introduction to Linux Keyboard Shortcuts
Linux Keyboard Shortcuts can make your Linux work much more efficient, and many of you must have been in a situation where you are busy typing something significant and accidentally hit some keys, which creates major problems. When it comes to Linux, there is no ‘undo’ key to correct the mistakes caused due to accidental hitting. Also, you must adequately know which keys you have pressed to correct such mistakes. This is where shortcuts come into the picture and help you recover from various issues. These shortcuts surely boost your productivity and add an extra plus to your workflow in the long run. You can also customize these and attain flexible typing.
Different Linux Keyboard Shortcuts
Having a good knowledge of shortcuts and employing them in the best possible way will give you more efficiency and reliability in your commuting when operating through Linux. These Linux keyboard shortcuts are best suited for the desktop environment or can be customized explicitly through the window manager. So, let’s get started and walk through the universe of Linux Keyboard Shortcuts.
1. Ctrl + Alt + Backspace
This shortcut plays a vital role when your X is not responding to the commands. Also, if a particular program has locked your screen and there is no way out to recover, this short is the best choice for rescue. Hitting Ctrl + Alt + Backspace will help you log out of X instantly and bring you back to your login screen. This combination can be performed through all desktop environments and window managers.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Delete
This combination defines the true essence of ‘Big Kahuna.’ When you are performing a task, and suddenly the screen stops responding, everything else fails, and you need to reboot; this shortcut will surely help you start the rebooting process. It would be best to remember that choosing this combo will help you reboot but will lead to data loss. Ctrl + Alt + Delete can be performed through all desktop environments and the window managers.
3. Alt + Tab
This combo enables you to choose the window you want to focus on by walking through multiple open windows on the screen. In short, this handy shortcut helps you escape the process of grabbing the mouse and clicking to focus on a window concerning the focus configuration. For cycling through multiple windows, you need to press Alt + Tab, thereby landing on a window you want. This combo is suitable for most desktop environments and window managers.
4. Ctrl + Alt + F
This is amongst the top-notch shortcuts you need to use carefully, as it enables switching to different computer-generated depots. If 6 is the default terminal you work in, then grabbing Ctrl + Alt and pressing any of the function keys will help you easily switch to another terminal. But you can perform your tasks only in a text-based terminal window; if you have an ongoing GI, the terminals you are dealing with are Virtual. This combo successfully mitigates the issues related to the desktop. It is also useful in removing stationary apps without completely killing X.
5. Alt + Arrow key
When using Linux, you must have dealt with the pager, enabling you to gain multiple desktops simultaneously. Without moving the mouse, you can press the Alt key alongside any arrow keys (left or right) to cycle from one desktop to another. This feature can be benefitted only in terminal/console windows. These shortcuts are suitable for all window managers as well as desktop environments.
6. Ctrl + A and Ctrl + E
While working with a text editor such as Nano, you can get the end of the line with a combination of Ctrl + E and the beginning of a line with a combination of Ctrl + A. In GUI applications like open offices, these shortcuts are worked in the way that they work on Regular desktops. With the combination Ctrl + A, you can highlight the text on a page.
7. Ctrl + C
Combining Ctrl + C makes it possible to end the process running in the terminal window. For example, you can end the process following with the tail + f command with the combination of the ‘Ctrl + A’ keys.
8. Ctrl + Z
By using the combination of Ctrl + Z, you can send the process to the background. If you want the terminal back without killing the application alongside having a process running across the terminal, hold the Ctrl key and press Z. Using this combination of Ctrl + Z, you can send the process to the background.
9. Arrow Up or Arrow Down
People use the up and down arrow keys to avoid retyping and to recall recently run commands. In the terminal window, with the help of these keys, you can see the history of the command that has been issued.
10. Ctrl + R
This shortcut is nothing but a research command tool. With the combination of Ctrl + R, you can type or enter the character or string of a character in the system. Then, you return to commands which we have previously used. The command will appear in the system by entering the switch we used. Later, the press enters to execute the command.
Conclusion
From this article, you must have understood some shortcuts of Linux. This article gives information about some simple shortcuts that will be beneficial in working efficiently. There are also numerous shortcuts beyond this list. Every shortcut is different and used in a specific environment. The user is not limited to the default shortcuts of the keyboard. Many Windows managers and desktops enable users to create their keyboard shortcuts. With a Linux keyboard shortcut, you can work efficiently without moving the hand from key to mouse and back. These shortcuts will surely improve the overall computer experience of the users.
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