Linux: xmodmap Tutorial ⌨

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This page is a tutorial on Linux X11's xmodmap tool.

xmodmap is a simple tool that lets you remap/swap keys for apps running under X11.

X11 has concepts of “keycode” ＆ “keysym”.

Type xmodmap -pke to see your current keycode ＆ keysym mapping.

Type xmodmap -pke > ~/.Xmodmap_original to save a version of your mapping before you change anything.

To revert, just type xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap_original (or, just log out and log back in.)

Here's a full dump from my machine ＆ keyboard: xmodmap_dump_2013-01-11.txt

keycode  57 = n N n N
keycode  58 = m M m M
keycode  59 = comma less comma less
keycode  60 = period greater period greater
keycode  61 = slash question slash question
keycode  62 = Shift_R NoSymbol Shift_R
keycode  63 = KP_Multiply KP_Multiply KP_Multiply KP_Multiply KP_Multiply KP_Multiply XF86ClearGrab
keycode  64 = Alt_L Meta_L Alt_L Meta_L
keycode  65 = space NoSymbol space
keycode  66 = Caps_Lock NoSymbol Caps_Lock
keycode  67 = F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 XF86Switch_VT_1
keycode  68 = F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 XF86Switch_VT_2
part of xmodmap -pke output.

the left side is keycode, the right side is its meaning in keysym. The first keysym is the key pressed by itself, the others are with different modifier keys. The meanings are:

  1. ‹key›
  2. ⇧ Shift+‹key›
  3. mode_switch+‹key›
  4. mode_switch+⇧ Shift+‹key›
  5. AltGr+‹key›
  6. AltGr+⇧ Shift+‹key›

Each line of xmodmap -pke output is a expression that can be read by xmodmap.

For example, type xmodmap -e "keycode 67 = F2" to make F1 key send F2. The -e option means read in expression.

To revert, just xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap_original (or logout and log back in).

To create your own map, you just create a file with xmodmap expressions, then have xmodmap read it xmodmap file name. You can put this line in your bash init. 〔☛ What's the Difference Between .bashrc, .profile, .bash_profile, …?〕

Example: Swap {Return, End}

I do lots experimental keybinding design. I need to temporarily swap {Return, End} keys.

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

! -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
! swap keys {return, end}

! keycode  36 = Return NoSymbol Return
! keycode 115 = End NoSymbol End

keycode  36 = End NoSymbol End
keycode 115 = Return NoSymbol Return

Then run xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap.

Example: Make {F2 F3 F4} Do {Cut Copy Paste}

sun keyboard left
Sun Microsystems Type 6 Keyboard

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

! -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
! 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. ⁖ Kinesis Freestyle ◇ Sun Microsystems Type 6 Keyboard )

If you do this, some X11 apps will automatically recognize those key functions. For example, it works in firefox. (doesn't work in: {Google Chrome browser, gimp, inkscape, gnome-terminal, …}.)

Example: Set Up F13 F14 F15 Keys

I have a keyboard that has {F13, F14, F15, F16, F17} Keys. By default, they are mapped to some X11 function keys. (In Ubuntu Linux running xfce.)

In xfce, the F13 (XF86Tools) key doesn't work for some reason. xev shows the key working fine, but X11 apps doesn't seem to receive any signal when F13 is pressed. F14 and others work fine.

I want {F13, F14, …} to be themselves.

So, i created a file at ~/.Xmodmap with this content:

! -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
! 2014-02-19

! set F13 and others to F keys as is

! keycode 191 = XF86Tools NoSymbol XF86Tools
! keycode 192 = XF86Launch5 NoSymbol XF86Launch5
! keycode 193 = XF86Launch6 NoSymbol XF86Launch6
! keycode 194 = XF86Launch7 NoSymbol XF86Launch7
! keycode 195 = XF86Launch8 NoSymbol XF86Launch8

keycode 191 = F13 F13 F13
keycode 192 = F14 F14 F14
keycode 193 = F15 F15 F15
keycode 194 = F16 F16 F16
keycode 195 = F17 F17 F17

With this, all F keys work. I can now proceed to do normal keybinding in emacs or other apps with standard F keys.

Show X11 Keycode ＆ Keysym

xev lets you find the keycode ＆ keysym of a key.

type xev in terminal, then press a key. It'll display output in terminal. Mouse click on the generated window close box to quit.

For example, pressing F1 prints this:

KeyPress event, serial 29, synthetic NO, window 0x5000001,
    root 0x156, subw 0x0, time 86952871, (168,-5), root:(919,427),
    state 0x0, keycode 67 (keysym 0xffbe, F1), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0x5000001,
    root 0x156, subw 0x0, time 86952927, (168,-5), root:(919,427),
    state 0x0, keycode 67 (keysym 0xffbe, F1), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

Keycodes are described in /usr/include/X11/XF86keysym.h.

Example: Swap Control ＆ Alt Keys

See: Linux: Swap Control ＆ Alt Keys Using xmodmap ⌨.

How to Set Keys for Linux Console?

Note: xmodmap only effects apps running under X11. It doesn't change keys of non-X11 apps, such as Linux console or Linux: Ctrl+Alt+F1 → Virtual Console.

How to set system keyboard layout?

See: Linux: Set System Keyboard Layout ⌨

Reference

ArchLinux wiki on xmodmap https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/xmodmap

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