CachyOS Desktop Environment Keybinds - ryzendew/Linux-Tips-and-Tricks GitHub Wiki

⌨ CachyOS Desktop Environment Keybinds Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to keyboard shortcuts and keybinds for desktop environments available on CachyOS.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Keybinds
  2. KDE Plasma Keybinds
  3. GNOME Keybinds
  4. XFCE Keybinds
  5. i3 Window Manager Keybinds
  6. Wayfire Keybinds
  7. Customizing Keybinds
  8. Common Keybinds Across DEs

Understanding Keybinds

What are Keybinds?

Keybinds (keyboard shortcuts) are combinations of keys that perform actions.

What they do:

  • Execute commands quickly
  • Navigate without mouse
  • Increase productivity
  • Customize workflow

Why learn keybinds:

  • Faster workflow: No need to reach for mouse
  • More efficient: Complete tasks quicker
  • Professional: Common in professional environments
  • Accessibility: Helpful for users who prefer keyboard

Key notation:

  • Super: Windows key (also called Meta)
  • Ctrl: Control key
  • Alt: Alt key (also called Meta on some systems)
  • Shift: Shift key
  • +: Press keys together (e.g., Super + T means press Super and T together)

KDE Plasma Keybinds

What is KDE Plasma?

KDE Plasma is a highly customizable desktop environment.

Key features:

  • Highly customizable
  • Traditional desktop layout
  • Feature-rich
  • Windows-like interface

Essential KDE Plasma Keybinds

Window Management

Super + Tab

  • What it does: Switch between windows
  • Use case: Quickly switch between open applications
  • How to use: Hold Super, press Tab to cycle through windows

Alt + Tab

  • What it does: Switch between windows (alternative)
  • Use case: Same as Super + Tab
  • How to use: Hold Alt, press Tab to cycle

Alt + F4

  • What it does: Close current window
  • Use case: Close application quickly
  • Warning: Closes application (may lose unsaved work)

Super + Up Arrow

  • What it does: Maximize window
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Alternative: Double-click window title bar

Super + Down Arrow

  • What it does: Restore/minimize window
  • Use case: Restore maximized window or minimize
  • How it works: If maximized, restores; if normal, minimizes

Super + Left Arrow

  • What it does: Snap window to left half of screen
  • Use case: Split screen with two windows
  • Tip: Use with another window on right for side-by-side

Super + Right Arrow

  • What it does: Snap window to right half of screen
  • Use case: Split screen with two windows
  • Tip: Use with another window on left for side-by-side

Application Launcher

Alt + F1 or Alt + Space

  • What it does: Open application launcher (KRunner)
  • Use case: Search and launch applications
  • How to use: Type application name, press Enter

Super + Space

  • What it does: Open application launcher (alternative)
  • Use case: Same as Alt + F1
  • Tip: Can search files, run commands, calculate

Workspaces (Virtual Desktops)

Ctrl + F1-F8

  • What it does: Switch to workspace 1-8
  • Use case: Organize applications on different desktops
  • Example: Ctrl + F1 switches to workspace 1

Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right Arrow

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces
  • Use case: Navigate between virtual desktops
  • Tip: Useful for organizing work

Super + Page Up/Page Down

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces (alternative)
  • Use case: Same as Ctrl + Alt + Arrow
  • Alternative method: Use mouse to switch

System Actions

Ctrl + Alt + Del

  • What it does: Open logout/session menu
  • Use case: Log out, restart, or shut down
  • Warning: Don't use if system is frozen (won't help)

Super + L

  • What it does: Lock screen
  • Use case: Lock computer when away
  • Security: Requires password to unlock

Super + D

  • What it does: Show desktop (minimize all windows)
  • Use case: Quickly access desktop
  • Press again: Restores all windows

Screenshots

Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of entire screen
  • Use case: Capture full screen
  • Where saved: Usually in Pictures folder

Shift + Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of selected area
  • Use case: Capture specific part of screen
  • How to use: Click and drag to select area

Alt + Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of current window
  • Use case: Capture single window
  • Useful: When you only need one window

File Manager

Super + E

  • What it does: Open file manager (Dolphin)
  • Use case: Browse files and folders
  • Tip: Can open multiple windows

Ctrl + T

  • What it does: Open new tab in file manager
  • Use case: Browse multiple locations
  • Tip: Works like browser tabs

Ctrl + W

  • What it does: Close current tab in file manager
  • Use case: Close tab you don't need
  • Warning: Closes tab (may lose location)

Customizing KDE Keybinds

How to customize:

  1. Open System Settings
  2. Go to Shortcuts
  3. Select category (e.g., "Global Shortcuts")
  4. Find action you want to change
  5. Click and press new key combination
  6. Click Apply

Where to find:

  • System Settings → Shortcuts → Custom Shortcuts
  • Can create custom shortcuts for any action

GNOME Keybinds

What is GNOME?

GNOME is a modern, minimalist desktop environment.

Key features:

  • Clean, simple interface
  • Touch-friendly
  • Modern design
  • macOS-like interface

Essential GNOME Keybinds

Application Launcher

Super

  • What it does: Open Activities Overview
  • Use case: Access applications, workspaces, search
  • How to use: Press Super key, type to search

Super + A

  • What it does: Open Applications menu
  • Use case: Browse all installed applications
  • Tip: Can search by typing

Window Management

Alt + Tab

  • What it does: Switch between windows
  • Use case: Quickly switch applications
  • How to use: Hold Alt, press Tab to cycle

Alt + ` (backtick)

  • What it does: Switch between windows of same application
  • Use case: Switch between multiple Firefox windows
  • Tip: Works with Alt + Tab

Super + Up Arrow

  • What it does: Maximize window
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Alternative: Double-click title bar

Super + Down Arrow

  • What it does: Restore/minimize window
  • Use case: Restore maximized window
  • How it works: Restores if maximized, minimizes if normal

Super + Left Arrow

  • What it does: Snap window to left half
  • Use case: Split screen
  • Tip: Use with another window on right

Super + Right Arrow

  • What it does: Snap window to right half
  • Use case: Split screen
  • Tip: Use with another window on left

Alt + F4

  • What it does: Close current window
  • Use case: Close application
  • Warning: May lose unsaved work

Workspaces

Super + Page Up/Page Down

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces
  • Use case: Navigate virtual desktops
  • Tip: Can create more workspaces dynamically

Ctrl + Alt + Up/Down Arrow

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces (alternative)
  • Use case: Same as Super + Page Up/Down
  • Alternative method: Use Activities Overview

Super + Shift + Page Up/Page Down

  • What it does: Move window to different workspace
  • Use case: Organize windows across workspaces
  • Tip: Useful for organizing work

System Actions

Super + L

  • What it does: Lock screen
  • Use case: Lock computer
  • Security: Requires password

Ctrl + Alt + Del

  • What it does: Open power menu
  • Use case: Log out, restart, shut down
  • Warning: Don't use if system frozen

Super + D

  • What it does: Show desktop (minimize all)
  • Use case: Access desktop quickly
  • Press again: Restores windows

Screenshots

Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of entire screen
  • Use case: Capture full screen
  • Where saved: Pictures folder

Shift + Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of selected area
  • Use case: Capture specific area
  • How to use: Click and drag to select

Alt + Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of current window
  • Use case: Capture single window
  • Useful: When you only need one window

File Manager

Super + E

  • What it does: Open file manager (Files)
  • Use case: Browse files
  • Tip: Can open multiple windows

Ctrl + T

  • What it does: Open new tab in file manager
  • Use case: Browse multiple locations
  • Tip: Works like browser tabs

Customizing GNOME Keybinds

How to customize:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts
  3. Find action you want to change
  4. Click current shortcut
  5. Press new key combination
  6. Changes apply immediately

Using dconf (advanced):

# Install dconf-editor
sudo pacman -S dconf-editor

# Launch dconf-editor
dconf-editor

Navigate to:

  • org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings
  • Customize window manager shortcuts

XFCE Keybinds

What is XFCE?

XFCE is a lightweight, traditional desktop environment.

Key features:

  • Lightweight (low resource usage)
  • Traditional desktop
  • Highly customizable
  • Fast and responsive

Essential XFCE Keybinds

Window Management

Alt + Tab

  • What it does: Switch between windows
  • Use case: Quickly switch applications
  • How to use: Hold Alt, press Tab to cycle

Alt + F4

  • What it does: Close current window
  • Use case: Close application
  • Warning: May lose unsaved work

Alt + F5

  • What it does: Unmaximize window
  • Use case: Restore maximized window
  • Tip: Only works if window is maximized

Alt + F7

  • What it does: Move window (mouse mode)
  • Use case: Move window with keyboard
  • How to use: Press, then use arrow keys

Alt + F8

  • What it does: Resize window (mouse mode)
  • Use case: Resize window with keyboard
  • How to use: Press, then use arrow keys

Alt + F9

  • What it does: Minimize window
  • Use case: Minimize current window
  • Tip: Window goes to taskbar

Alt + F10

  • What it does: Maximize window
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Alternative: Double-click title bar

Workspaces

Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right Arrow

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces
  • Use case: Navigate virtual desktops
  • Tip: Can have multiple workspaces

Ctrl + Alt + Up/Down Arrow

  • What it does: Switch between workspaces (vertical)
  • Use case: If workspaces arranged vertically
  • Alternative: Use mouse to switch

Application Launcher

Super + Space

  • What it does: Open application launcher
  • Use case: Search and launch applications
  • Tip: Can search by typing

Alt + F2

  • What it does: Open run dialog
  • Use case: Run commands quickly
  • Tip: Can run any command

System Actions

Ctrl + Alt + Del

  • What it does: Open logout dialog
  • Use case: Log out, restart, shut down
  • Warning: Don't use if system frozen

Super + L

  • What it does: Lock screen
  • Use case: Lock computer
  • Security: Requires password

Screenshots

Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of entire screen
  • Use case: Capture full screen
  • Where saved: Usually in Pictures folder

Alt + Print Screen

  • What it does: Take screenshot of current window
  • Use case: Capture single window
  • Useful: When you only need one window

Customizing XFCE Keybinds

How to customize:

  1. Open Settings → Window Manager
  2. Go to Keyboard tab
  3. Find action you want to change
  4. Click current shortcut
  5. Press new key combination
  6. Click Close

Alternative method:

  1. Open Settings → Keyboard
  2. Go to Application Shortcuts tab
  3. Add custom shortcuts
  4. Assign key combinations

i3 Window Manager Keybinds

What is i3?

i3 is a tiling window manager.

Key features:

  • Tiling windows (no overlapping)
  • Keyboard-driven
  • Highly efficient
  • Minimal interface

Essential i3 Keybinds

Note: i3 uses Super (Windows key) as the main modifier key.

Window Management

Super + Enter

  • What it does: Open terminal
  • Use case: Launch terminal quickly
  • Default: Opens default terminal

Super + D

  • What it does: Open application launcher (dmenu)
  • Use case: Search and launch applications
  • Tip: Type to search, Enter to launch

Super + Shift + Q

  • What it does: Close current window
  • Use case: Close application
  • Warning: May lose unsaved work

Super + F

  • What it does: Toggle fullscreen
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Press again: Restores tiling

Super + H/J/K/L

  • What it does: Navigate windows
  • H: Focus left
  • J: Focus down
  • K: Focus up
  • L: Focus right
  • Use case: Move between windows
  • Tip: Vim-style navigation

Super + Shift + H/J/K/L

  • What it does: Move window
  • H: Move left
  • J: Move down
  • K: Move up
  • L: Move right
  • Use case: Rearrange windows
  • Tip: Changes window layout

Window Layout

Super + E

  • What it does: Split horizontally
  • Use case: Split window horizontally
  • Tip: Creates side-by-side layout

Super + V

  • What it does: Split vertically
  • Use case: Split window vertically
  • Tip: Creates stacked layout

Super + F

  • What it does: Toggle fullscreen
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Press again: Restores tiling

Super + S

  • What it does: Stacking layout
  • Use case: Arrange windows in stack
  • Tip: Windows stacked on top of each other

Super + W

  • What it does: Tabbed layout
  • Use case: Arrange windows in tabs
  • Tip: Like browser tabs

Workspaces

Super + 1-9

  • What it does: Switch to workspace 1-9
  • Use case: Navigate workspaces
  • Example: Super + 1 switches to workspace 1

Super + Shift + 1-9

  • What it does: Move window to workspace 1-9
  • Use case: Organize windows
  • Example: Super + Shift + 2 moves window to workspace 2

System Actions

Super + Shift + E

  • What it does: Exit i3
  • Use case: Log out of i3
  • Warning: Logs you out of session

Super + Shift + R

  • What it does: Restart i3
  • Use case: Reload i3 configuration
  • Tip: Applies config changes

Super + Shift + C

  • What it does: Reload configuration
  • Use case: Apply config changes
  • Tip: Same as restart but faster

Customizing i3 Keybinds

Configuration file:

nano ~/.config/i3/config

Keybind format:

bindsym $mod+key command

Example:

bindsym $mod+Return exec alacritty
bindsym $mod+d exec dmenu_run

After editing:

  • Press Super + Shift + R to reload
  • Or restart i3: Super + Shift + E, then log back in

Wayfire Keybinds

What is Wayfire?

Wayfire is a modern Wayland compositor.

Key features:

  • Modern Wayland compositor
  • 3D effects and animations
  • Eye candy
  • Performance-focused

Essential Wayfire Keybinds

Window Management

Super + Enter

  • What it does: Open terminal
  • Use case: Launch terminal
  • Default: Opens default terminal

Super + D

  • What it does: Open application launcher
  • Use case: Search and launch applications
  • Tip: Type to search

Super + Shift + Q

  • What it does: Close current window
  • Use case: Close application
  • Warning: May lose unsaved work

Super + F

  • What it does: Toggle fullscreen
  • Use case: Make window fullscreen
  • Press again: Restores window

Workspaces

Super + 1-9

  • What it does: Switch to workspace 1-9
  • Use case: Navigate workspaces
  • Example: Super + 1 switches to workspace 1

Super + Shift + 1-9

  • What it does: Move window to workspace 1-9
  • Use case: Organize windows
  • Example: Super + Shift + 2 moves window to workspace 2

Customizing Wayfire Keybinds

Configuration file:

nano ~/.config/wayfire.ini

Edit keybind section:

  • Find [command] section
  • Modify keybind entries
  • Restart Wayfire to apply

Customizing Keybinds

General Tips

Before customizing:

  • Learn default keybinds first
  • Note which keybinds you use most
  • Plan your customizations
  • Test changes before committing

Common customizations:

  • Application launcher shortcut
  • Screenshot shortcuts
  • Window management shortcuts
  • Workspace navigation

Best practices:

  • Use consistent key combinations
  • Don't conflict with application shortcuts
  • Document your customizations
  • Backup configuration files

Backup Configuration

Before making changes:

# Backup KDE config
cp ~/.config/kglobalshortcutsrc ~/.config/kglobalshortcutsrc.backup

# Backup GNOME config
dconf dump / > ~/.config/gnome-settings-backup

# Backup i3 config
cp ~/.config/i3/config ~/.config/i3/config.backup

If something breaks:

  • Restore from backup
  • Reset to defaults in settings
  • Reinstall desktop environment

Common Keybinds Across DEs

Universal Shortcuts

Alt + Tab

  • All DEs: Switch between windows
  • Universal: Works in almost all desktop environments

Alt + F4

  • All DEs: Close current window
  • Universal: Standard across Linux

Super + L

  • Most DEs: Lock screen
  • Universal: Common security shortcut

Print Screen

  • All DEs: Take screenshot
  • Universal: Standard screenshot key

Super + E

  • Most DEs: Open file manager
  • Universal: Common file manager shortcut

Ctrl + Alt + Del

  • All DEs: Open logout/power menu
  • Universal: Standard system shortcut

Learning Keybinds

Start with basics:

  1. Learn window switching (Alt + Tab)
  2. Learn application launcher
  3. Learn window management
  4. Learn workspace navigation
  5. Learn system actions

Practice regularly:

  • Use keybinds daily
  • Replace mouse actions with keybinds
  • Build muscle memory
  • Increase productivity

Additional Resources

Summary

This guide covered:

  1. Understanding keybinds - What they are and why they matter
  2. KDE Plasma keybinds - Complete keyboard shortcuts
  3. GNOME keybinds - Essential shortcuts
  4. XFCE keybinds - Lightweight DE shortcuts
  5. i3 keybinds - Tiling window manager shortcuts
  6. Wayfire keybinds - Wayland compositor shortcuts
  7. Customizing keybinds - How to modify shortcuts
  8. Common keybinds - Universal shortcuts

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn keybinds to increase productivity
  • Start with basic shortcuts (Alt + Tab, Super + L)
  • Practice regularly to build muscle memory
  • Customize keybinds to fit your workflow
  • Most keybinds work across different DEs
  • Always backup before customizing

This guide is based on the CachyOS Wiki and desktop environment documentation, expanded with detailed explanations for beginners. For the most up-to-date keybind information, refer to your desktop environment's official documentation.