Linux Hotkeys: Mastering Your Keyboard
Linux is keyboard-first, and learning hotkeys is the fastest way to boost productivity.
1. Navigating the System
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Super + Space |
Launch app by typing |
| Super + A |
See all apps |
| Super + W |
Close app |
| Super + 1/2/3/4 |
Jump to workspace |
| Shift + Super + 1/2/3/4 |
Move app to workspace |
| Alt + 1/2/3/... |
Jump to dock app |
| Ctrl + 1/2/3/... |
Jump to browser tab |
💡 Tip: Think of Super as your “Linux command key”.
2. Tiling Windows
| Hotkey |
Function |
| F11 |
Full screen |
| Shift + F11 |
Full screen with title bar |
| Super + Left/Right |
Fill left/right half |
| Super + Up |
Fill full screen |
| Super + T |
Open tiling overlay |
| Super + Shift + T |
Open tiling settings |
| Super + T W S |
Fill center vertical |
| Super + T Q A |
Fill left vertical |
| Super + T E D |
Fill right vertical |
| Super + T Q Q |
Fill upper left |
| Super + T A A |
Fill lower left |
💡 Tip: Combine with Super + arrow keys for fast window organization.
3. Application Windows
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Super + W |
Close window/application |
| Alt + Space |
Reveal options (Undecorate removes title bar) |
4. Terminal (Zellij)
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Ctrl + G P R |
New vertical pane |
| Ctrl + G P D |
New horizontal pane |
| Alt + Arrow |
Navigate panes/tabs |
| Alt + = / Alt + - |
Expand / Shrink pane |
| Ctrl + G T N |
New tab |
| Ctrl + G T R |
Rename tab |
| Ctrl + G O D |
Suspend session |
| Ctrl + G O W |
Resume session |
| Ctrl + G S E |
Edit scroll history |
| Ctrl + R |
Reveal command history |
💡 Tip: Zellij turns your terminal into a multi-pane powerhouse.
5. File Manager
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Ctrl + L |
Go to path |
| Space |
Preview file |
| Backspace |
Go back one folder |
6. Apple Display Brightness (Optional: ASDControl)
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Ctrl + F1 |
Decrease brightness |
| Ctrl + F2 |
Increase brightness |
| Ctrl + Shift + F2 |
Max brightness |
7. Neovim (with LazyVim)
Navigation
| Hotkey |
Function |
| Space |
Show command options |
| Space Space |
Open file (fuzzy search) |
| Space E |
Toggle sidebar |
| Space G G |
Git controls |
| Space S G |
Search file content |
| Ctrl + W W |
Switch between sidebar & editor |
| Ctrl + Left/Right |
Resize sidebar |
| Shift + H / L |
Move left/right file tab |
| Space B D |
Close file tab |
| Hotkey |
Function |
| A |
Add new file in parent dir |
| Shift + A |
Add subdir |
| D |
Delete file/dir |
| M |
Move file/dir |
| R |
Rename file/dir |
| ? |
Show help |
💡 Tip: LazyVim turns Neovim into a modern IDE with minimal effort.
8. Quick Emojis
| Hotkey |
Emoji |
Clue |
| CapsLock M S |
😄 |
smile |
| CapsLock M C |
😂 |
cry |
| CapsLock M L |
😍 |
love |
| CapsLock M V |
✌️ |
victory |
| CapsLock M H |
❤️ |
heart |
| CapsLock M Y |
👍 |
yes |
| CapsLock M N |
👎 |
no |
| CapsLock M F |
🖕 |
fuck |
| CapsLock M W |
🤞 |
wish |
| CapsLock M R |
🤘 |
rock |
| CapsLock M K |
😘 |
kiss |
| CapsLock M E |
🙄 |
eyeroll |
| CapsLock M P |
🙏 |
pray |
| CapsLock M D |
🤤 |
drool |
| CapsLock M M |
💰 |
money |
| CapsLock M X |
🎉 |
celebrate |
| CapsLock M 1 |
💯 |
100% |
| CapsLock M T |
🥂 |
toast |
| CapsLock M O |
👌 |
ok |
| CapsLock M G |
👋 |
greeting |
| CapsLock M A |
💪 |
arm |
| CapsLock M B |
🤯 |
blowing mind |
💡 Tip: These shortcuts speed up communication in chat or coding environments.