In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a shortcut for the “Show Applications” menu using the left Super-key in Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME. This can be achieved through two methods: using GNOME Extensions or the utility xcape.
To create a shortcut for the "Show Applications" menu using the left Super-key in Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME, you can either use GNOME Extensions or the utility xcape. Both methods are effective and can be chosen based on your preference.
Method 1: Using GNOME Extensions
GNOME Extensions are a great way to add functionality to your GNOME desktop environment. They are like mini-apps that can be installed to provide additional features or to change the behavior of existing features.
Step 1: Install GNOME Extension
To start with, you need to install the GNOME extension “Start Overlay in Application View”. This extension allows you to use the Super key alone to open the Application overview. You can download and install it from the GNOME Extensions website.
Step 2: Enable the Extension
Once installed, enable the extension. Now, when you press the Super key, it should open the “Show Applications” menu.
Method 2: Using xcape Utility
xcape is a utility that allows you to use a modifier key as another key when pressed and released on its own.
Step 1: Install xcape
To install xcape, open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt install xcapeThis command uses the sudo function to run the command as an administrator. apt install is the command to install a new package, and xcape is the name of the package we want to install.
Step 2: Disable the Default Binding of the Super Key
Next, we need to disable the default binding of the Super key to show the overview. This can be done by running the following command in the terminal:
gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key ''The gsettings command is used to modify configuration settings. set is the operation to change a setting. org.gnome.mutter overlay-key is the setting for the Super key, and '' is the new value, meaning we are disabling it.
Step 3: Remap the Super Key with xcape
Now, we will use xcape to remap hitting and releasing the Super key alone to the default key combination for opening the applications menu. Run the following command:
xcape -e "Super_L=Super_L|a"In this command, -e is used to specify the key mapping, and "Super_L=Super_L|a" tells xcape to map the Super key to itself plus the ‘a’ key.
Step 4: Optional Step – Install Additional Extension
Optionally, you can install the extension “ESC to close overview from applications list” to have the Esc key return you to your desktop rather than to the overview. This extension can also be found on the GNOME Extensions website.
Conclusion
Creating a shortcut for the “Show Applications” menu using the left Super-key in Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME can be easily achieved either by using GNOME extensions or the utility xcape. Both methods are effective and can be chosen based on your preference.
Remember that these solutions are specific to Gnome Shell and may not work in other desktop environments. Always ensure to backup your system or create a restore point before making any major changes to your system settings. Happy computing!
These methods are specifically for Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME. They may not work in other versions of Ubuntu or different Linux distributions as they have different desktop environments and configurations.
The methods described in this article are specifically for creating a shortcut for the "Show Applications" menu using the left Super-key. However, you can explore GNOME Extensions or utilities like xcape to create shortcuts for other applications or menus based on your requirements.
Yes, you need administrative privileges to install GNOME Extensions or the xcape utility. The sudo command used in the instructions is used to run commands as an administrator.
Yes, you can revert the changes made by these methods. For GNOME Extensions, you can disable or remove the installed extension from the GNOME Extensions website. For xcape utility, you can undo the changes by running the command gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key 'Super_L' to restore the default binding of the Super key.
