For me, Linux is the most efficient and effective operating system on the market. Not only is it highly customizable, but it also works well for those who prefer to keep their hands on the keyboard, rather than switching between the keyboard and mouse.
To do this successfully, you need to know the keyboard shortcuts that best suit your needs. Linux is packed with keyboard shortcuts. Which ones are available will depend on the distribution or desktop environment you use.
Also: 10 Things I Always Do After Installing Linux (And Why You Should Too)
While not all keyboard shortcuts are universal across Linux, several do cross the line of demarcation between desktop environments. Let’s explore the ones I use every day.
1. Alt+F
When you’re using an app, press Alt+F to open the app’s menu. This will open the leftmost menu. You can then use the cursor keys to move one menu to the right and continue scrolling until you find the menu you want. Use the up/down cursor keys to navigate up and down the menu.
2. Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V – mouse editing
It may seem like a no-brainer among keyboard shortcuts, as it always works the same way regardless of the operating system you’re using (with the exception of Android and iOS). To copy selected text, use Ctrl+C, and to paste copied test text, use Ctrl+V.
Also: 5 Linux Commands You Can Use to Quickly View File Contents
But there is another copy-paste shortcut you should know about: if you highlight text in Linux with the mouse, you can paste that text by clicking the middle mouse button. Better yet, you can copy a text string with Ctrl+C and then highlight another text string with the mouse, and both strings can be pasted with Ctrl+V and the middle mouse button paste function.
3. Terminal shortcuts
Since I use the terminal a lot, I rely on certain keyboard shortcuts. Keep in mind that the shortcuts you use will depend on the application. I use the Nano editor every day and I rely on certain shortcuts within that application, such as:
- Ctrl+C – shows the current line number
- Ctrl+X – save the file
- Ctrl+A – go to the beginning of the current line
- Ctrl+E – go to the end of the current line
- Ctrl+W – opens the nano search function
In addition to nano, I also use the following shortcuts:
- Ctrl+C: Close the currently running application or script
- Ctrl+Z – suspends a currently running program
- Ctrl+D: closes the current terminal session
- Ctrl+L – clears the terminal screen (same as clear domain)
- Ctrl+U – delete everything from the cursor position to the beginning of the line
- Ctrl+P – view the previous command
4. Ctrl+Q
Do you want to exit the current application without moving your hand to the mouse? Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Q. In some desktop environments (such as Pop!_OS), the shortcut is Super+Q.
5. Alt+F2
If you want to run a command without having to open a terminal window first, you can open the Run dialog box. Press the key combination Alt+F2; once the dialog box opens, you can run a command.
Also: 5 Linux Commands to Quickly Find the System Information You Need to Know
6. Alt+Tab
If you have multiple windows open and want to focus on a particular one, press the Alt+Tab keyboard combination to cycle through those applications.
7. Super key
This will depend on your desktop environment, but many Linux desktops are configured so that the Super key opens the desktop menu.
8. Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Shift+Z
As on MacOS and Windows, Ctrl+Z will undo what you just did, and Ctrl+Shift+Z will redo it.
9. Super+F
Press Super+F to open your file manager.
10. Ctrl+D
Let’s say you have safe with case on a server and want to log out quickly. Instead of closing the application you are using and then typing exitSimply press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+D and your session will be instantly logged out.
Also: 5 Top-Tier Linux Distros for Power Users (or Anyone Looking for a Challenge)
These keyboard shortcuts help me get through the day – hopefully one or more of them will help make your life a little more efficient.