How To Set Xmodmap on Login Without Breaking Unity

In this article, we will delve into the process of setting Xmodmap on login without breaking the Unity interface. Unity is a widely used graphical shell for the GNOME desktop environment in Ubuntu. Xmodmap is a utility used to define and modify the keyboard layout.

Understanding Xmodmap

Before we dive into the process, let’s understand what Xmodmap is. Xmodmap is a utility for modifying keymaps and pointer button mappings in Xorg, the open-source implementation of the X Window System used by Linux and Unix systems.

Preparing Your Xmodmap File

First, you need to have your Xmodmap file ready. This file, usually named .Xmodmap, contains your custom keyboard layout. You can create it in your home directory using a text editor. For example:

nano ~/.Xmodmap

Option 1: Using .xinitrc File

One of the ways to set Xmodmap on login is by adding the xmodmap command to the ~/.xinitrc file. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open a terminal and run the following command to create or edit the file:

nano ~/.xinitrc

2. Add the following line to the file:

xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

This command tells the system to run xmodmap with your .Xmodmap file as an argument, applying your custom keyboard layout.

3. Save the file and exit.

This method ensures that your changes are read at startup, but it may not work for all desktop environments.

Option 2: Creating a Startup Item

Another method is to create a startup item that will execute the xmodmap command at startup. Here’s how:

1. Open the Startup Applications preferences (you can search for it in the applications menu).
2. Click on “Add” or the “+” button to create a new startup item.
3. Enter a name for the item (e.g., “Xmodmap”).
4. In the “Command” field, enter the following:

/usr/bin/xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

Replace ~/.Xmodmap with the correct path to your Xmodmap file, if it’s different.

5. Save the item and exit.

Option 3: Using xdg Autostart Scripts

For GNOME-based window managers, you can use xdg autostart scripts. Here’s how:

1. Create a file named xmodmap.desktop in the ~/.config/autostart directory.
2. Open the file and add the following content:

[Desktop Entry]
Name[en_US]=Xmodmap
Comment[en_US]=xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
Exec=/usr/bin/xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
Icon=application-default-icon
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Type=Application

3. Save the file and exit.
4. Logout and login again to see if your Xmodmap configuration is loaded.

Conclusion

Setting Xmodmap on login without breaking Unity can be done in several ways. Depending on your desktop environment and personal preference, you can choose the method that suits you best. Remember to use the correct path to your Xmodmap file in all the options above. If none of these options work, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek additional help.