Xmodmap
xmodmap is a utility for modifying keyboard mappings and pointer button mappings in Xorg. It allows users to remap keys and buttons and assign different functions without having to edit configuration files directly.
keyboard
key-mapping
xorg
utility
xmodmap: Utility for Modifying Keyboard & Pointer Mappings
Remap keys, buttons, and assign functions without editing Xorg config files with xmodmap, a powerful utility for keyboard and pointer mapping modifications.
What is Xmodmap?
Xmodmap is a simple utility for modifying keyboard mappings and pointer button mappings in the X Window System. It enables users to easily remap keys and buttons and assign different functions to them without having to directly edit configuration files.
Some common uses of xmodmap include:
- Swapping Caps Lock and Escape keys
- Remapping extra mouse buttons to functions like Back/Forward in the browser
- Disabling annoying keys like the Windows key
- Changing keyboard layouts on the fly (like Dvorak or Colemak)
Xmodmap works by communicating keycode/keysym mappings to the X server. It avoids having to edit files like xorg.conf directly. The remappings it makes are temporary and only last for the current X session. To make more permanent changes, the key mappings would need to be put in a startup script to run each time the computer starts up.
Overall, xmodmap is a simple but handy utility that makes it easy for advanced Linux users to customize their keyboard and mouse bindings to suit their preferences and workflows without digging into configuration files. It has been around for many years and continues to be included in most Linux distributions by default.
Xmodmap Features
Features
- Remaps keys and mouse buttons
- Does not require editing configuration files directly
- Applies changes temporarily for current X session
- Supports keyboard layout switching
- Can assign macros to keys
Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
Pros
Simple and easy to use
Does not require restarting X server
Allows customizing keyboard and mouse without permanent changes
Helpful for non-US keyboards and accessibility
Cons
Mappings do not persist across sessions
Limited to Xorg only, not compatible with Wayland
Can conflict with other mapping tools
Requires manually running on each login
Official Links
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