Compose key - Revision history

John3-16: 1. Amended grammar, style. 2. Corrected "left bracket ')'" to "right bracket ')'". 3. Added external links (Wikipedia) for 'window manager' and 'compositor'. 4. Promoted 'Alternatives' section.

2025-07-15T19:10:25Z

1. Amended grammar, style. 2. Corrected "left bracket ')'" to "right bracket ')'". 3. Added external links (Wikipedia) for 'window manager' and 'compositor'. 4. Promoted 'Alternatives' section.

Prabuanand: changed category. New category

2025-07-14T18:17:55Z

changed category. New category

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 14 July 2025
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	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].

	[[Category:~~System Administration~~]]		[[Category:Localization]]

Prabuanand: added category

2025-07-14T17:58:53Z

added category

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:58, 14 July 2025
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	=== Alternatives ===		=== Alternatives ===

	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].

			[[Category:System Administration]]

John3-16: /* LXQt under Wayland: */

2025-07-14T08:15:23Z

LXQt under Wayland:

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:15, 14 July 2025
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	/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &		/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
	===== LXQt under Wayland: =====		===== LXQt under Wayland: =====
	Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions for [[Compose_key##Under_Wayland\|under Wayland in general]].		Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions for [[Compose_key#Under_Wayland\|under Wayland in general]].

	If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:		If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:

	==== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] ====		==== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] ====
	System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection		System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection

John3-16: 1. Amended title re 'LXQt under Wayland' and the internal link within it. 2. Promoted Plasma section

2025-07-14T08:14:32Z

1. Amended title re 'LXQt under Wayland' and the internal link within it. 2. Promoted Plasma section

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:14, 14 July 2025
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	Where prompted under that module, add a line specifying your chosen compose key setting. For example:		Where prompted under that module, add a line specifying your chosen compose key setting. For example:
	/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &		/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
	===== ~~Under~~ Wayland: =====		===== LXQt under Wayland: =====
	Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions for [[Compose_key#~~section=15~~\|under Wayland in general]].		Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions for [[Compose_key##Under_Wayland\|under Wayland in general]].

	If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:		If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:
	===== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] =====		==== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] ====
	System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection		System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection
	The desktop environment's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_page man pages] may give more detailed configurations for the compose key. The following section may also be additionally be useful e.g. where one drops into a tty environment or when switching into a different window manager/compositor than those listed above.		The desktop environment's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_page man pages] may give more detailed configurations for the compose key. The following section may also be additionally be useful e.g. where one drops into a tty environment or when switching into a different window manager/compositor than those listed above.

John3-16: Created page with "{{TOC right}} A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key compose key] may be assigned to quickly produce certain characters from a keyboard. These could include a letter with an accent such as '''é'''; a letter with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diacritic diacritic] such as '''ç'''; or various symbols and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoji emojis] such as '''≥''', '''☺''', etc. They could be composed within various applications, including various text ed..."

2025-07-14T08:08:37Z

Created page with "{{TOC right}} A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key compose key] may be assigned to quickly produce certain characters from a keyboard. These could include a letter with an accent such as '''é'''; a letter with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diacritic diacritic] such as '''ç'''; or various symbols and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoji emojis] such as '''≥''', '''☺''', etc. They could be composed within various applications, including various text ed..."

New page

{{TOC right}}

A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key compose key] may be assigned to quickly produce certain characters from a keyboard. These could include a letter with an accent such as '''é'''; a letter with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diacritic diacritic] such as '''ç'''; or various symbols and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoji emojis] such as '''≥''', '''☺''', etc.
They could be composed within various applications, including various text editors, shells or certain other packages. For example, if one were to choose the <AltGr> key as the '''compose key''' on a given installation, depending on the configuration method chosen, one may obtain the character "'''é'''" by pressing the following three characters one after another:
<AltGr> + <'> + <e> = é
Other examples may include:
<AltGr> + <,> + <c> = ç
<AltGr> + <c> + <c> = č
<AltGr> + <1> + <2> = ½
<AltGr> + <=> + <E> = €
<AltGr> + <-> + <L> = £
Note also that you may need to "hold" the <Shift> key with the next character in order to produce some characters, depending on your keyboard layout. For example, on some keyboards where the colon appears over the semi-colon:
Hold<Shift>+<;> = :
Therefore, consider the following example:
<AltGr> + <:> + <)> = ☺
Depending on your layout, since additionally the left bracket ')' on some layouts is created by shifting the "zero" key, one may need to do as follows:
<AltGr> + Hold<Shift>+<;> + Hold<Shift>+<0> = ☺
Note that under some environments, one may obtain an umlaut/diaeresis (¨) by employing the colon symbol (:). Alternatively, depending on your configuration, you may need to obtain the umlaut by using the double-quotes ("). For example:
<AltGr> + <"> + <a> = ä
Consider additionally that, depending on the keyboard configuration, double-quotes are sometimes composed as Hold<shift>+<'>. Therefore, depending on the keyboard configured, one might need to obtain that "'''ä'''" as follows:
<AltGr> + Hold<Shift>+<'> + <a> = ä
Consider a listing of [https://sheet.shiar.nl/digraphs/xorg combinations under Xorg].
== Assign the compose key ==
{{Todo|
* Elaborate with alternative methods, including [https://github.com/kragen/xcompose Xcompose], {{pkg|xmodmap}};
* Document assigning compose key for all users.
Contributions welcome.}}
Decide what compose key you will choose. Then, you may need to refer to it in the instructions below by its technical term listed in italics, as follows:-
* <LWIN> or <Left Windows> key a.k.a. the 'Windows' or 'Logo' key on the left: lwin
* <RWIN> or <Right Windows> key (it exists on some keyboards and is not to be confused with the 'Windows' key on the left): rwin
* <AltGr> key a.k.a. the <Alt> key on the right: ralt
* <Alt> key on the left: lalt
* <Menu> key a.k.a. the 'Application' key, typically used to open context menus, as when right-clicking from a mouse, displaying a right-click menu and pointer, often found between the <Right Alt> and <Right Control> keys —not to be confused with the the <LWIN>/'Logo'/<Left Windows> key: menu
* <Caps Lock> key: caps
* <Pause> key: paus
* <Print Scrn> key: prsc
* <Scroll Lock> key: sclk
* <Right Control> key: rctrl
* <Left Control> key: lctrl
=== In desktop environments ===
If the desktop environment was installed via <code>setup-desktop</code>, one should first consider assigning the compose key through one of the desktop's "Settings" modules and then, specifically, seeking those relating to "Keyboard" or, alternative, an "autostart" module:-
==== [https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/9/html/customizing_the_gnome_desktop_environment/special-characters-in-gnome_customizing-the-gnome-desktop-environment Gnome] ====
Activities (on toolbar) \ type the word Settings \ Settings icon \ Keyboard \ enable Compose Key \ select the Compose Key
==== [https://xfce.org XFCE] ====
Applications \ Settings \ Settings Editor \ Channel keyboard-layout \ XkbOptions \ Compose \ type <code>compose:ralt</code> or otherwise for your preferred compose key
==== [https://wiki.mate-desktop.org/ Mate] ====
System \ Control Centre \ Keyboard \ Layout \ Options \ Position of Compose Key click on triangle \ Select your compose key

==== [https://github.com/swaywm/sway/wiki Sway] ====
Check your input settings first:
{{Cmd| $ swaymsg -t get_inputs}}
If your preferred compose key is not stated, then open your configuration file (<code>~/.config/sway/config</code>) with your preferred text editor, and in order to specify that the <AltGr> key/'right alt' key is your compose key, consider entering the following <code>xkb_options</code> line inside the <code>input "type:keyboard"</code> stanza, as follows (without the <code>[...]</code>):
input "type:keyboard" {
[...]
xkb_options compose:ralt
}
==== [https://github.com/lxqt/lxqt/wiki LXQt] ====
===== LXQt under XOrg: =====
You may require installing {{Pkg|setxkbmap}} first; then, consider using the autostart instruction:
Preferences \ LXQt Settings \ Session Settings \ Autostart \ Add
Where prompted under that module, add a line specifying your chosen compose key setting. For example:
/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
===== Under Wayland: =====
Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions for [[Compose_key#section=15|under Wayland in general]].

If the [[KDE|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:
===== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] =====
System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick Configure keyboard options \ tick Position of Compose key \ tick selection
The desktop environment's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_page man pages] may give more detailed configurations for the compose key. The following section may also be additionally be useful e.g. where one drops into a tty environment or when switching into a different window manager/compositor than those listed above.

=== Without set desktop environments ===
From the following examples, consider the model where the <AltGr> key (ralt key) could be assigned for the user only. If a different key is preferred, consider substituting with the key's technical term listed above.
==== Under XOrg ====
There are various methods. Consider installing {{pkg|setxkbmap}}.
{{Cmd| $ doas apk add setxkbmap }}
===== For XOrg window sessions: =====
In your window manager's autostart file, consider entering the following:
/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
If there is no autostart file, consider adding that instruction into <code>~/.xinitrc</code> before the last line(s) that is/are being used to launch any window session.
That instruction can also be entered from a shell in order to assign the compose key so as to be in effect only during the login session.
===== For tty/windowless sessions: =====
The same '''setxkbmap''' instruction could be used at the tty.
To autostart this setting for future sessions:-
* Consider adding it to a session autostart file; or
* If there is no autostart file, consider adding it, as proposed directly above for XOrg window sessions, to <code>~/.xinitrc</code>; or
* If there is no <code>~/.xinitrc</code>, consider executing the following:
<blockquote>
Create the file (adding the line to <code>~/.profile</code> instead may be poor practice);
{{Cmd| touch ~/.xinitrc }}
Make <code>~/.xinitrc</code> executable and read-and-write only by the user:
{{Cmd| doas chmod 700 ~/.xinitrc }}
Then, add lines to instruct the file to be read with the default <code>sh</code> interpreter; plus the '''setxkbmap''' command as indicated above:
<pre>
#!/bin/sh
/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
</pre>
</blockquote>

Further documentation:
{{Cmd| man xkeyboard-config }}
==== Under Wayland ====
Consider [https://superuser.com/questions/1160777/make-special-characters-available-on-us-keyboard-an-wayland various approaches]; some could include:-
===== Option with ~/.profile =====
<blockquote>
Open the file (creating the file first if it doesn't exist), and consider adding:
<pre>
export XKB_DEFAULT_OPTIONS="compose:ralt"
</pre>
</blockquote>
A list of compose sequences available depend on your [https://www.x.org/releases/current/doc/libX11/i18n/compose/libX11-keys.html keyboard locale].

Further references for this X Keyboard Extension (XKB_DEFAULT_OPTIONS) include:-
* [https://www.x.org/releases/current/doc/xorg-docs/input/XKB-Config.html Xorg - XKB configuration.]
* [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/X_keyboard_extension Archwiki - X Keyboard extension.]
===== Option using gsettings =====
<blockquote>
Install {{pkg|gsettings-desktop-schemas}}, if not installed:
{{Cmd| $ doas apk install gsettings-desktop-schemas }}
Next:
{{Cmd| $ gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.input-sources xkb-options "[\'compose:ralt\']" }}
</blockquote>

=== Alternatives ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 15 July 2025
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	Therefore, consider the following example:		Therefore, consider the following example:
	<AltGr> + <:> + <)> = ☺		<AltGr> + <:> + <)> = ☺
	Depending on your layout, since additionally the ~~left~~ bracket ')' on some layouts is created by shifting the "zero" key, one may need to do as follows:		Depending on your layout, since additionally the right bracket ')' on some layouts is created by shifting the "zero" key, one may need to do as follows:
	<AltGr> + Hold<Shift>+<;> + Hold<Shift>+<0> = ☺		<AltGr> + Hold<Shift>+<;> + Hold<Shift>+<0> = ☺
	Note that under some environments, one may obtain an umlaut/diaeresis (¨) by employing the colon symbol (:). Alternatively, depending on your configuration, you may need to obtain the umlaut by using the double-quotes ("). For example:		Note that under some environments, one may obtain an umlaut/diaeresis (¨) by employing the colon symbol (:). Alternatively, depending on your configuration, you may need to obtain the umlaut by using the double-quotes ("). For example:
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	* Document assigning compose key for all users.		* Document assigning compose key for all users.
	Contributions welcome.}}		Contributions welcome.}}
	Decide what compose key you will ~~choose~~. Then, you may need to refer to it in the instructions below by its technical term listed in italics, as follows:-		Decide what compose key you will use. Then, you may need to refer to it in the instructions below by its technical term listed in italics, as follows:-
	* <LWIN> or <Left Windows> key a.k.a. the 'Windows' or 'Logo' key on the left: <i>lwin</i>		* <LWIN> or <Left Windows> key a.k.a. the 'Windows' or 'Logo' key on the left: <i>lwin</i>
	* <RWIN> or <Right Windows> key (it exists on some keyboards and is not to be confused with the 'Windows' key on the left): <i>rwin</i>		* <RWIN> or <Right Windows> key (it exists on some keyboards and is not to be confused with the 'Windows' key on the left): <i>rwin</i>
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	* <Left Control> key: <i>lctrl</i>		* <Left Control> key: <i>lctrl</i>
	=== In desktop environments ===		=== In desktop environments ===
	If the desktop environment was installed via <code>setup-desktop</code>, one should first consider assigning the compose key through one of the desktop's <i>"Settings"</i> modules and then, specifically, seeking those relating to <i>"Keyboard"</i> or, ~~alternative~~, an <i>"autostart"</i> module:-		If the desktop environment was installed via <code>setup-desktop</code>, one should first consider assigning the compose key through one of the desktop's <i>"Settings"</i> modules and then, specifically, seeking those relating to <i>"Keyboard"</i> or, alternatively, an <i>"autostart"</i> module:-
	==== [https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/9/html/customizing_the_gnome_desktop_environment/special-characters-in-gnome_customizing-the-gnome-desktop-environment Gnome] ====		==== [https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/9/html/customizing_the_gnome_desktop_environment/special-characters-in-gnome_customizing-the-gnome-desktop-environment Gnome] ====
	Activities (on toolbar) \ type the word <i>Settings</i> \ Settings icon \ Keyboard \ enable <i>Compose Key</i> \ select ~~the~~ <i>Compose Key</i>		Activities (on toolbar) \ type the word <i>Settings</i> \ Settings icon \ Keyboard \ enable <i>Compose Key</i> \ select your <i>Compose Key</i>
	==== [https://xfce.org XFCE] ====		==== [https://xfce.org XFCE] ====
	Applications \ Settings \ Settings Editor \ Channel <i>keyboard-layout</i> \ XkbOptions \ Compose \ type <code>compose:ralt</code> or otherwise for your preferred compose key		Applications \ Settings \ Settings Editor \ Channel <i>keyboard-layout</i> \ XkbOptions \ Compose \ type <code>compose:ralt</code> or otherwise for your preferred compose key
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	/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &		/usr/bin/setxkbmap -option compose:ralt &
	===== LXQt under Wayland: =====		===== LXQt under Wayland: =====
	Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions ~~for~~ [[Compose_key#Under_Wayland\|under Wayland in general]].		Consider applying the guide below, regarding window sessions [[Compose_key#Under_Wayland\|under Wayland in general]].

	If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:		If the [[KDE\|Plasma]] desktop environment is installed:
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	==== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] ====		==== [https://userbase.kde.org/System_Settings/Input_Devices/en#Enable_Compose_key Plasma] ====
	System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection		System Settings \ Hardware \ Input Devices \ Keyboard \ Advanced \ tick <i>Configure keyboard options</i> \ tick <i>Position of Compose key</i> \ tick selection
	The desktop environment's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_page man pages] may give more detailed configurations for the compose key. The following section may also ~~be additionally~~ be useful e.g. where one drops into a tty environment or when switching into a ~~different~~ window manager/compositor than those listed above.		The desktop environment's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_page man pages] may give more detailed configurations for the compose key. The following section may also be useful e.g. where one drops into a tty environment or when switching into a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_manager window manager]/[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compositing_manager compositor] different than those listed above.

	=== Without set desktop environments ===		=== Without set desktop environments ===
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	===== Option using gsettings =====		===== Option using gsettings =====
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	~~Install~~ {{pkg\|gsettings-desktop-schemas}}, if not installed:		Consider installing {{pkg\|gsettings-desktop-schemas}}, if not installed:
	{{Cmd\| $ doas apk install gsettings-desktop-schemas }}		{{Cmd\| $ doas apk install gsettings-desktop-schemas }}
	Next:		Next:
Line 122:		Line 122:
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	=== Alternatives ===		== Alternatives ==

	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt_code Alt codes] - Similar to compose keys; briefly, this could involve producing a character by using the <Alt> key in combination with a character's [https://home.unicode.org/ unicode].

	[[Category:Localization]]		[[Category:Localization]]