Linux Desktop (GNOME / KDE) Cheat Sheet

GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian default) #

Shortcut	Action
`Super`	Activities overview (search apps and files)
`Super + A`	App grid
`Alt + Tab`	Switch apps
Alt + `	Switch windows of the same app
`Alt + F2`	Run a command
`Alt + F4`	Close window
`Super + ↑` / `Super + ↓`	Maximize / restore
`Super + ←/→`	Tile to the left / right half
`Super + H`	Hide (minimize) window
`Super + L`	Lock screen
`Super + V`	Notification list & calendar
`Super + 1…9`	Open the app at that position in the dash
`Super + Page Up/Down`	Switch workspace
`Ctrl + Alt + ←/→`	Switch workspace
`Super + Shift + Page Up/Down`	Move window to another workspace
`Super + Shift + ←/→`	Move window to another monitor
`Print`	Screenshot / screencast tool
`Shift + Print`	Screenshot of the whole screen
`Alt + Print`	Screenshot of the active window
`Ctrl + Alt + T`	Open a terminal (Ubuntu)

Shortcut	Action
`Meta`	Application launcher
`Alt + Space` or `Alt + F2`	KRunner (run, search, calculate)
`Alt + Tab`	Switch windows
`Meta + W`	Overview
`Meta + D`	Show desktop
`Meta + E`	Dolphin file manager
`Meta + L`	Lock screen
`Meta + V`	Clipboard history
`Meta + ←/→`	Tile to the left / right half
`Meta + Page Up` / `Meta + Page Down`	Maximize / minimize
`Ctrl + F1…F4`	Switch virtual desktop
`Ctrl + Esc`	System Monitor
`Print`	Spectacle (screenshot tool)
`Meta + Shift + Print`	Screenshot of a region
`Ctrl + Alt + Del`	Log out / shut down dialog

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + H`	Show / hide hidden files
`Ctrl + L`	Type a path
`F2`	Rename
`Ctrl + Shift + N`	New folder
`Delete` / `Shift + Delete`	Move to trash / delete permanently
`Ctrl + T`	New tab
`Alt + ↑`	Parent folder
`Alt + Home`	Home folder
`F3`	Split view (Dolphin)
`F4`	Built-in terminal panel (Dolphin)

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + Alt + F3…F6`	Switch to a text console (TTY)
`Ctrl + Alt + F1` or `F2`	Back to the graphical session (depends on the distro)
Select text, then middle-click	Paste the selection (X11 primary clipboard)

If the desktop freezes, switch to a TTY, log in and run top or htop to kill the stuck process.
Custom shortcuts: GNOME Settings → Keyboard → Custom Shortcuts, or KDE System Settings → Shortcuts.