xbindkeys

xbindkeys

A great meta-key for use with XBindkeys is the "Windows" key, which sits idly on so many keyboards. Chances are it's unused, so it won't conflict with anything. Say you have a script called "backup" that you like to run manually. This is how to bind it to the "Windows" and F5 keys with XBindkeys.

Run the command:

$ xbindkeys -mk

Then, press the "Windows" key; then, F5; then, q to quit. It will generate keycodes like this:

--- Press "q" to stop. ---
"NoCommand"
m:0x50 + c:115
Mod2+Mod4 + Super_L
"NoCommand"
m:0x10 + c:71
Mod2 + F5

Choose one line from each set of keycodes, and make this entry in $HOME/.xbindkeysrc:

"backup"
m:0x50 + c:115 + m:0x10 + c:71

Now, when you press the "Windows" and F5 keys, your backup script will run.