Key Bindings

Syntax

Key bindings follow this format:

bind[flags]=MODIFIERS,KEY,COMMAND,PARAMETERS

• Modifiers: SUPER, CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, NONE (combine with +, e.g. SUPER+CTRL+ALT).
• Key: Key name (from xev or wev) or keycode (e.g., code:24 for q).

Info: bind converts the key name to a keycode, so it keeps working while other layouts are active. The name is resolved against the layouts configured with xkb_rules_layout (device:*:kb_layout is not used here), in the order they are listed, and falls back to the reference us layout when none of them can produce the key name. This means bind=SUPER,h resolves to your own h key on layout variants such as Dvorak, and to the us position when only non-latin layouts are configured. Use code:N to bind a keycode directly, or binds to match the character the active layout produces.

Flags

• l: Works even when screen is locked.
• s: Uses keysym instead of keycode to bind.
• r: Triggers on key release instead of press.
• p: Pass key event to client.
• c: allow keybind conflict(need set in all conflict key).

Info: c has no effect on the reload_config and load_config_file dispatches, which always stop the current key event.

Examples:

bind=SUPER,Q,killclient
bindl=SUPER,L,spawn,swaylock

# Using keycode instead of key name
bind=ALT,code:24,killclient

# Combining keycodes for modifiers and keys
bind=code:64,code:24,killclient
bind=code:64+code:133,code:24,killclient

# Bind with no modifier
bind=NONE,XF86MonBrightnessUp,spawn,brightnessctl set +5%

# Bind a modifier key itself as the trigger key
bind=alt,shift_l,switch_keyboard_layout

# Allow keybind conflict
bindc=SUPER,a,resizewin,+10,0
bindc=SUPER,a,centerwin

Key Modes (Submaps)

You can divide key bindings into named modes. Rules:

1. Set key_mode=<name> before a group of bind lines — those binds only apply in that mode.
2. If no key_mode is set before a bind, it belongs to the default mode.
3. The special common key_mode applies its binds across all modes.

Info: Key modes also apply to the other input bindings — mousebind, axisbind, gesturebind and switchbind — which share the exact same key_mode rules as bind.

Use setkeymode to switch modes, and mmsg get keymode to query the current mode.

# Binds in 'common' apply in every mode
key_mode=common
bind=SUPER,r,reload_config

# Default mode bindings
key_mode=default
bind=ALT,Return,spawn,foot
bind=SUPER,F,setkeymode,resize

# 'resize' mode bindings
key_mode=resize
bind=NONE,Left,resizewin,-10,0
bind=NONE,Right,resizewin,+10,0
bind=NONE,Escape,setkeymode,default

Single Modifier Key Binding

When binding a modifier key itself, use NONE for press and the modifier name for release:

# Trigger on press of Super key
bind=none,Super_L,spawn,rofi -show run

# Trigger on release of Super key
bindr=Super,Super_L,spawn,rofi -show run

Dispatchers List

Window Management

Focus & Movement

Group

Tags & Monitors

Tag Mask Format

A tag mask specifies one or more tags for commands that operate on tags.
It is formed by tag numbers 1–9, optionally combined with |.

• 3 – single tag 3
• 1|3|5 – tags 1, 3, and 5

Layouts

System

Media Controls

Warning: Some keyboards don't send standard media keys. Run wev and press your key to check the exact key name.

Brightness

Requires: brightnessctl

bind=NONE,XF86MonBrightnessUp,spawn,brightnessctl s +2%
bind=SHIFT,XF86MonBrightnessUp,spawn,brightnessctl s 100%
bind=NONE,XF86MonBrightnessDown,spawn,brightnessctl s 2%-
bind=SHIFT,XF86MonBrightnessDown,spawn,brightnessctl s 1%

Volume

Requires: wpctl (WirePlumber)

bind=NONE,XF86AudioRaiseVolume,spawn,wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ 5%+
bind=NONE,XF86AudioLowerVolume,spawn,wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ 5%-
bind=NONE,XF86AudioMute,spawn,wpctl set-mute @DEFAULT_SINK@ toggle
bind=SHIFT,XF86AudioMute,spawn,wpctl set-mute @DEFAULT_SOURCE@ toggle

Playback

Requires: playerctl

bind=NONE,XF86AudioNext,spawn,playerctl next
bind=NONE,XF86AudioPrev,spawn,playerctl previous
bind=NONE,XF86AudioPlay,spawn,playerctl play-pause

Floating Window Movement