i3 FAQ - Individual question feed

Why can't I `bindsym Mod1+Mod3' ?

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:51:07 +0000

I've tried to put the same command for `bindsym Mod1+Mod4` and `bindsym $mod+x` and it seems that only the latter works. Why is this? How do I troubleshoot this issue?

Answer by mschaefer for
I've tried to put the same command for `bindsym Mod1+Mod4` and `bindsym $mod+x` and it seems that only the latter works. Why is this? How do I troubleshoot this issue?

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:18:31 +0000

Instead of `bindsym` you need to use `bindcode`. For that to work you have to find out the keycode of your Mod1 and Mod4 keys. You can do that using the `xkbevd` command line tool. For me, Mod1(=Alt) has keycode 64 and Mod4(=Windows key) has keycode 133. So I would use bindcode Mod1 + 133 exec bindcode Mod4 + 64 exec Note that you need both commands because `bindcode` is sensitive to the order in which the keys are pressed!

Comment by throstur for

Instead of bindsym you need to use bindcode. For that to work you have to find out the keycode of your Mod1 and Mod4 keys. You can do that using the xkbevd command line tool. For me, Mod1(=Alt) has keycode 64 and Mod4(=Windows key) has keycode 133. So I would use

bindcode Mod1 + 133 exec <command>
bindcode Mod4 + 64  exec <command>

Note that you need both commands because bindcode is sensitive to the order in which the keys are pressed!

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:37:24 +0000

Thank you, mschaefer! It works exactly as expected. I also tried `64 + 133` instead of `Mod1 + 133` and learned why your way is correct (and why the order matters). I would love to give you an upvote here, but I sadly don't have enough reputation.

Comment by Adaephon for

bindcode Mod1 + 133 exec <command>
bindcode Mod4 + 64  exec <command>

Note that you need both commands because bindcode is sensitive to the order in which the keys are pressed!

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:24:32 +0000

@throstur You do now. Have enough reputation, that is. :)

i3 FAQ - Individual question feed

Why can't I `bindsym Mod1+Mod3' ?

Answer by mschaefer for I've tried to put the same command for bindsym Mod1+Mod4 and bindsym $mod+x and it seems that only the latter works. Why is this? How do I troubleshoot this issue?

Answer by mschaefer for
I've tried to put the same command for `bindsym Mod1+Mod4` and `bindsym $mod+x` and it seems that only the latter works. Why is this? How do I troubleshoot this issue?