How to Set Key to Switch to Browser

This page shows you how to set a singe key to switch to your favorite app, for {Windows, Mac, Linux}. For example, set F8 to switch to browser, or terminal.

there are 2 or 3 apps we use perhaps 80% of our computing time. So, it's nice to set a single F key to switch to them. 【Ctrl+Tab ↹】 or 【⌘ Cmd+Tab ↹】 are inferior, because, 2 keys combo, involves pinky, induces Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) for those of you heavy typers, and, you have to take half a second to eye-ball it to land on the app you want. This is adds up in draining your brain's daily energy.

if you set a single F key to switch to a specific app, it becomes muscle memory.

Mac OS X

Use QuickSilver. Just install it and use the GUI to set a key to app. See: Mac OS X Keyboard Layout, Keymapping, Keybinding, Tools.

Linux

wmctrl is a command-line util to manipulate windows. ⁖ {switch, close, move, resize, set title, list, … }. To install:

sudo apt-get install wmctrl

For example, to make F9 switch to Firefox, go to your Control Panel, Keyboard app, click to create a new key, give the command:

# switch to Firefox
wmctrl -xa firefox

Thanks to {Yuri Khan, Vadim Atlygin, Evan Cofsky} for help on Linux.

Windows

For Windows, one solution is AutohotKey.

You'll need to intall AutoHotkey. See: AutoHotkey Tutorial.

Here's a sampe AHK script:

; 2010-04-01, 2011-11-27
; launch or switch to firefox

#NoTrayIcon
SetTitleMatchMode, 2

If WinExist("Mozilla Firefox")
{
  If WinActive("Mozilla Firefox") {
    WinActivateBottom, Mozilla Firefox
      } Else {
    WinActivate
}
}
Else
{
  Run "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
}
Return

ExitApp

Save it as a file and name it launch_or_switch_firefox.ahk, then you can use Microsoft IntelliType (bundled with Microsoft Keyboards) to set F9 to run this script.

Or, in your main AutoHotkey script, add this line:

$F9::Run "C:\Users\mary\ahk_scripts\launch_or_switch_firefox.ahk"

Increase Productivity Using Function Keys

Why do you want to use a single key to switch? See: Computer Keyboard: Increase Productivity Using Function Keys.