https://faq.i3wm.org/questions/Frequently asked questions and answers about the i3 window managerenCopyright i3, 2012Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:08:07 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/Hello. In .i3/config I have wrote this: set $alt Mod1 bindsym $alt+Shift ~/.i3/lang_change.sh and it returns this error when im trying to restart i3 > Syntax error, unexpected > <string>,expecting <number> or <word> > or '+' > > in file ...../.3/config, line 22 > > bindsym $alt+Shift > *~/.i3/lang_change.sh* How can i execute that script when ALT+SHIFT is pressed ? Thank you.Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:07:09 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?answer=3955#post-id-3955As per suggestion from Adaephon: You have to use `exec` in order to bind external commands: bindcode Shift+64 exec /home/yourname/.i3/lang_change.sh or bindcode Mod1+50 exec /home/yourname/.i3/lang_change.sh or bindcode Mod1+62 exec /home/yourname/.i3/lang_change.sh Thu, 12 Jun 2014 01:25:12 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?answer=3955#post-id-3955https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3960#comment-3960This fixes the error. But it will still not work, because you cannot bind modifier keys (Shift, Control, Alt, Super) by their keyboard symbol. [You have to use the keyboard codes in that case.](https://faq.i3wm.org/question/2854/keybinding-for-the-both-shifts-keys/?answer=2861#post-id-2861)Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:55:16 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3960#comment-3960https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3963#comment-3963With `bindcode` only the last key is given by its code, modifiers for this key are still given by their name (`Mod1`, `Mod4`, `Shift`, `Control`). So Alt+Shift (hold Alt, then press Shift) has to be written as `Mod1+50` (Shift_L) and/or `Mod1+62` (Shift_R). `Shift+64` would be hold Shift, press Alt.Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:49:40 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3963#comment-3963https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3962#comment-3962So with xmodmap -pke | grep Alt , i saw that the keycode of Alt_L Meta_L is 64. Then i wrote this in config but still has a problem with the + symbol. bindcode 64+Shift exec /home/me/.i3/lang_change.shThu, 12 Jun 2014 07:13:38 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3962#comment-3962https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3961#comment-3961Hmm doesn't work with this solution and returns 'unexpected <modifier> Mod41+Shift exec /home/yourname/.i3/lang_change.sh' Mod41 occurs because it is $mod is set on Mod4. Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:59:04 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3961#comment-3961https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3964#comment-3964Thank you.Now it works.Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:08:07 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/3953/execute-an-sh-file-using-bindsym/?comment=3964#comment-3964