For me, Linux is the most efficient and productive operating system on the market. Not only is it highly customizable, but it also works well for people who prefer to keep their hands on the keyboard, rather than moving back and forth between keyboard and mouse.
To do that successfully, one must know the keyboard shortcuts that best suit one’s needs. Linux has a lot of keyboard shortcuts — the available shortcuts will depend on the distribution/desktop environment you use.
Also: 10 Things I Always Do After Installing Linux — and Why You Should Too
While not every keyboard shortcut is universal in Linux, some do cross the boundaries between desktop environments. Let’s explore the ones I use on a daily basis.
1. Alt+F
When you’re using an application, press Alt+F to open the application menu. This will open the menu furthest to the left. You can then use the arrow keys to move one menu to the right and continue moving until you find the menu you want. Use the up/down arrow keys to navigate up and down the menu.
2. Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V – mouse version
This may seem like an obvious shortcut because it always works the same regardless of the operating system you are using (except for Android and iOS). To copy selected text, use Ctrl+C and to paste the copied test, use Ctrl+V.
Also: 5 Linux Commands to Quickly View the Contents of a File
But there’s another copy/paste shortcut you should know: If you highlight text in Linux with your mouse, you can paste it by clicking the middle mouse button. Better yet, you can copy one string of text with Ctrl+C and then highlight another string of text with your mouse, and both strings can be pasted with Ctrl+V and the middle mouse button paste feature.
3. Terminal shortcuts
Since I use the terminal a lot, I rely on certain keyboard shortcuts. Keep in mind that the shortcuts you use will depend on the application. I use the Nano editor every day and rely on certain keyboard shortcuts in that application, such as:
- Ctrl+C – show current line number
- Ctrl+X – save file
- Ctrl+A – move to the beginning of the current line
- Ctrl+E – go to the end of the current line
- Ctrl+W – open nano search function
In addition to nano, I also use the following shortcuts:
- Ctrl+C – close the running application or script
- Ctrl+Z – pause the running program
- Ctrl+D – logs you out of the current terminal
- Ctrl+L – clears the terminal screen (same as airy request)
- Ctrl+U – delete everything from the cursor position to the beginning of the line
- Ctrl+P – view previous command
4. Ctrl+Q
Want to quit the current application without moving your hand to the mouse? Use the shortcut Ctrl+Q. In some desktop environments (such as Pop!_OS), the shortcut is Super+Q.
5. Alt+F2
If you want to run a command without opening a terminal window first, you can open what’s called a run dialog. Press Alt+F2 — once this dialog opens, you can run the command.
Also: 5 Linux Commands to Quickly Find System Information You Need to Know
6. Alt+Tab
If you have multiple windows open and want to focus on a specific window, press Alt+Tab to switch between those applications.
7. Super key
This will depend 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, Ctrl+Z will undo whatever you just did, and Ctrl+Shift+Z will redo it.
9. Super + F
Press Super+F to open the file manager.
10. Ctrl+D
Suppose you have safety cover on the server and you want to log out quickly. Instead of closing whatever application you are using and entering go outJust press the shortcut Ctrl+D and you will be logged out immediately.
Also: Top 5 Linux Distributions for Power Users (or Anyone Who Wants a Challenge)
These shortcuts help me get through my day — hopefully one or more of them will make your life a little more efficient.
