Linux: xmonad Keybinding

By Xah Lee. Date: 2012-04-19

This page gives a intro on using xmonad. xmonad is a Linux app that automatically arrange your windows without gaps. To install, see: Linux: How to Install New Window Manager .

When logging in, you may have a choice of {xmonad, xmonad-gnome}. The gnome one will have the screen menu at top and app menu at bottom.

xmonad keys

launching app

• Alt+Shift+Enter to launch a terminal.

• Alt+p to launch dmenu. e.g. Alt+p then type “fire” to launch Firefox.

• “dmenu” is a GUI app for dynamic menu, designed for keyboard input. (this is independent of xmonad)

Switch Focus

• {Alt+j, Alt+k} to move focus among windows. Or, hover mouse on a window.

• {Alt+Shift+j, Alt+Shift+k} swap neighboring windows.

Arranging Window

• Alt+Space to re-arrange windows. (by default, you can cycle among 3 types of arrangement: full screen, tall, wide.)

Resize Window

Alt+l = make current window larger.
Alt+h = make current window smaller.

Float Window

Alt+Click to float a window.
Alt+Drag to move floating window.
Alt+Button3 to resize.
Alt+Button2 to bring to top.
Alt+t to unfloat.

Closing Windows

• Alt+Shift+c to close/kill a window.

Workspace

• Alt+4 to switch to 4th workspace. There are 9 total.

• Alt+Shift+4 to put current window to the 4th workspace.

Reference

Reference: http://xmonad.org/tour.html