Linux: xmodmap: Set F2 F3 F4 to XF86Cut, XF86Copy, XF86Paste

By Xah Lee. Date: .

Linux: xmodmap: Set F2 F3 F4 to XF86Cut, XF86Copy, XF86Paste

Creat a file at ~/.Xmodmap with this content:

! make f1 f2 f3 do cut copy paste

! keycode  68 = F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 XF86Switch_VT_2
! keycode  69 = F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 XF86Switch_VT_3
! keycode  70 = F4 F4 F4 F4 F4 F4 XF86Switch_VT_4

keycode  68 = XF86Cut F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 XF86Switch_VT_2
keycode  69 = XF86Copy F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 XF86Switch_VT_3
keycode  70 = XF86Paste F4 F4 F4 F4 F4 XF86Switch_VT_4

X11 has these keysyms {XF86Cut, XF86Copy, XF86Paste}. They represent dedicated {Cut, Copy, Paste} keys. (some keyboards have these keys. For example, Sun Microsystems Type 6 Keyboard )

Some X11 apps will automatically recognize those key functions. For example, it works in Firefox. (as of 2015-03-26, it does not work in: {Google Chrome browser, gimp, inkscape, gnome-terminal}.)

If you want the key to actually sent control combination, see Linux: Set F2 F3 F4 to Cut Copy Paste

Linux xmodmap keybinding