Keyboard Shortcuts Ubuntu: Master Your Linux Workflow

Explore essential Ubuntu keyboard shortcuts, GNOME bindings, and terminal accelerators. Learn core keybindings, customize with gsettings, and boost daily productivity.

Shortcuts Lib Team

April 26, 2026·5 min read

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Quick AnswerFact

Setting up and using keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu can dramatically speed up daily tasks, from window management to text editing. This quick answer highlights core shortcuts, how to customize them, and where to find GNOME and terminal bindings. Whether you're a power user or a newcomer, these shortcuts will shrink your click count and keep your hands on the keyboard.

What makes Ubuntu shortcuts powerful

Ubuntu keyboard shortcuts ubuntu form the backbone of a keyboard-driven workflow. They reduce mouse travel, speed up repetitive tasks, and help you stay in flow while navigating terminals, editors, and file managers. In GNOME, many actions are bound to the Super key, which opens the Activities overview and accelerates navigation. You can rebind any key via the GNOME Settings app or with gsettings for deeper customization.

Bash

# Inspect a common binding for showing the desktop (GNOME example)
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings show-desktop

# Change a binding (example: open the terminal via a new shortcut)
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys custom-keybindings "['/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/custom0/']"

If the defaults don’t fit your workflow, you can remap them by writing a new binding and adding it to the custom-keybindings list. This helps you create a tailored keyboard-centric environment.

GNOME shortcuts: navigating Windows and the Desktop

The GNOME desktop provides a rich set of built-in shortcuts for window management, the Activities overview, and workspace switching. Common defaults include the Super key to open the Activities screen and Alt+Tab for cycling windows. You can verify or adjust these with gsettings or the Settings app. Below are commands to check and set a couple of classic bindings.

Bash

# Show current global shortcut bindings (example)
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings show-desktop

# Bind Super+D to show the desktop (string array required)
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings show-desktop "['<Super>d']"

These configurations illustrate the pattern: read the existing value, then write a new one that matches your mental model. If you rely on multiple monitors or workspaces, assign distinct bindings to reduce conflicts.

Steps

Estimated time: 30-45 minutes

1
Identify your top actions
List the 6–8 actions you perform most often on Ubuntu (copy/paste, window switching, terminal tasks, app launching). This helps you prioritize which shortcuts to customize first.
Tip: Start with actions that interrupt your flow the most.
2
Find current bindings
Use gsettings get to fetch current bindings for common actions such as show-desktop or show-all-windows.
Tip: Note any conflicting shortcuts before changing them.
3
Create a baseline set
Add a small, consistent set of 3–5 new shortcuts to baseline your workflow.
Tip: Keep bindings unique across actions to avoid clashes.
4
Apply the bindings
For GNOME, add bindings to the custom-keybindings path and register them with gsettings.
Tip: Back up existing settings before mass changes.
5
Test across apps
Verify shortcuts in a text editor, terminal, file manager, and browser for consistency.
Tip: Record any app-specific differences.

Warning: Avoid globally binding keys that Windows or macOS apps already use to prevent cross-platform confusion.

Pro Tip: Export your GNOME shortcuts after changes so you can reuse them on another system.

Note: Some apps may override system bindings; you might need per-app settings.

Prerequisites

Required

Ubuntu 20.04 or newer↗
Required
GNOME desktop environment
Required
Terminal emulator (e.g., GNOME Terminal)
Required
Basic command line knowledge
Required

Optional

Text editor (optional)
Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
CopyWorks in most GUI apps	`Ctrl`+`C`
PasteGUI apps and terminals	`Ctrl`+`V`
Open TerminalGNOME Terminal or any terminal app	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`T`
Lock screenSecure screen	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`L`

Questions & Answers

What are the most essential Ubuntu keyboard shortcuts?

Common essentials include Super for Activities, Alt+Tab for window switch, Ctrl+C/V for copy/paste, and Ctrl+Alt+T to open Terminal. These cover navigation, text editing, and quick access tasks. Customize further to fit your workflow.

Can I customize shortcuts without GNOME?

Yes. You can use per-application shortcuts offered by apps like VS Code or terminal emulators, or switch to a different desktop environment that offers alternative binding mechanisms. Some tools also support XKB-level remapping.

How do I export and import GNOME shortcuts?

GNOME bindings can be exported by scripting the gsettings values or by copying the custom-keybindings files to a backup location. Importing is the reverse process, applying the same gsettings and files on a new system.

Are Ubuntu shortcuts version-specific?

Most core bindings remain stable across recent Ubuntu releases, but some defaults may shift with GNOME updates. Always verify bindings after a system upgrade.