For me, Linux is the most efficient and effective operating system out there. 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 back and forth between the keyboard and mouse.
To do this successfully, you need to know the keyboard shortcuts that best suit your needs. Linux is full of keyboard shortcuts – the ones available to you will depend on the distribution/desktop environment you are using.
Also: 10 things I always do after installing Linux – and why you should too
While not all keyboard shortcuts in Linux are universal, some cross the line between desktop environments. Let’s look at the ones I use on a daily basis.
1. Alt+F
When you’re using an app, press Alt+F to open the app menu. This will open the leftmost menu. You can then use the cursor keys to move a menu to the right and scroll 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 output
This seems to be a no-brainer among keyboard shortcuts, as it works the same regardless of the operating system you’re using (except for Android and iOS). To copy selected text, use Ctrl+C, and to paste copied text, use Ctrl+V.
Also: 5 Linux commands to quickly display the contents of files
However, there is another copy-paste keyboard shortcut you should know: In Linux, when you highlight text with the mouse, you can then paste that text by clicking the middle mouse button. Even better, you can copy a string of text using Ctrl+C and then highlight another string of text with the mouse. Both strings can then be pasted using Ctrl+V and the middle mouse button’s paste function.
3. Terminal shortcuts
Since I use the Terminal a lot, I rely on certain keyboard shortcuts. Note that the keyboard shortcuts you use depend on the app. I use the Nano editor daily and rely on certain keyboard shortcuts within that app, for example:
- Ctrl+C – shows the current line number
- Ctrl+X – saves the file
- Ctrl+A – goes to the beginning of the current line
- Ctrl+E – goes to the end of the current line
- Ctrl+W – opens the nano search function
Outside of Nano, I also use the following keyboard shortcuts:
- Ctrl+C – closes the currently running app or script
- Ctrl+Z – interrupts a currently running program
- Ctrl+D – logs you out of the current terminal
- Ctrl+L – clears the terminal screen (same as the clear Command)
- Ctrl+U – deletes everything from the cursor position to the beginning of the line
- Ctrl+P – show previous command
4. Ctrl+Q
Want to quit the current app without moving your hand to the mouse? Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Q. In some desktop environments (like Pop!_OS) the keyboard 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 so-called Run dialog. Press the key combination Alt+F2 – once this dialog is open, 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 specific one, press Alt+Tab to cycle through those apps.
7. Super button
This depends 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
Just like on MacOS and Windows, you can use Ctrl+Z to undo the actions you just performed and Ctrl+Shift+Z to redo them.
9. Super+F
Press Super+F to open your file manager.
10. Ctrl+D
Suppose you have connected to a server through a secure shell and want to quickly log out. Instead of closing the app you are currently using and then exitSimply press Ctrl+D and you will be logged out immediately.
Also: 5 top-notch Linux distributions for power users (or anyone looking for a challenge)
These keyboard shortcuts help me keep moving throughout the day—hopefully one or more of them will help make your life a little more efficient.
