Your Unity keyboard shortcuts documentation is here! Bookmark this page for future reference or download the wallpaper containing all unity keyboard shortcuts, download link in later half of this page.

A “Super” user will make most out of his keyboard with less/no use of mouse as it slows one down. Here we have documented some keyboard shortcuts for Unity which can help you get your task done more efficiently and quickly. Unity shortcuts, well most of them, start with tapping SUPER key. Since 12.04, tapping Enter shows up following screen:

Launcher Shortcuts

The launcher can be started with Super key.

Super can be used along with numbers to invoke or focus an application. Numbers run from top to bottom on dash such as top most icon corresponds to number 1 . For example, to open or to set your focus on second icon from top : Super + 1

Using Shift will open the second instant of an application if one is already open.

To open the trash: Super + T

To put focus on Launcher, use Alt + F1 . Henceforth Enter will open the application, arrow keys can be used to move focus like they always do.

Terminal window launches open with Ctrl + Alt + T

Dash Shortcuts

Open the dash by tapping Super key. It opens when the key is released and when it is pressed so it might feel a bit slow.

Move to the next lens: Tab (11.10+ only)

Move to the previous lens: Shift + Tab

Dash’s special mode for running commands: Alt + F2

When the dash starts, the focus is on search box. When search results are in, arrow keys can be used to do usual and Enter launches the choice. It also has its own version of “I’m feeling lucky”. When the search is still going on, tapping Enter twice will invoke the first search result.

To open application lens: Super + A

To open Files and Folders: Super + F

For music lens: Super + M (11.10+ only)

Panel Shortcuts

Open the first menu on panel: F10 . Arrow keys for moving through menus.

You can get to session menu by hitting F10 followed by left arrow key.

Get out of menus with Esc key.

Window Management Shortcuts

Spread mode: Super + W (It zooms out all windows on all workspaces)

Minimize all windows: Super + D . Restore by hitting it again.

Switch between applications: Alt + Tab

Switching between an application’s windows: Alt + ` . It switches only between windows related to that application.

Window placement Shortcuts

Maximize window: Ctrl + Alt + 0

Position window in bottom-left: Ctrl + Alt + 1

Position window in bottom-half: Ctrl + Alt + 2

Position window in bottom-right: Ctrl + Alt + 3

Position window in left side of screen: Ctrl + Alt + 4

Position window in middle of screen: Ctrl + Alt + 5

Position window in right side of screen: Ctrl + Alt + 6

Position window in left top: Ctrl + Alt 7

Position window in top half: Ctrl + Alt + 8

Position window in right top: Ctrl + Alt + 9

Workspace Management Shortcuts

(Expo mode) Zoom out on all windows which makes management easier: Super + s

Expo mode in current workspace only: Shift + Alt + ↑

Change workspace: Ctrl + Alt + ↑/↓/←/→

Position window on new workspace: Ctrl + Alt + Shift +↑/↓/←/→

Lock current screen: Ctrl + Alt + L

Screenshot Shortcuts

Screenshot of current screen: PrtScn

Screenshot of current window: Alt + PrtScn

Wallpaper

These unity keyboard shortcuts can be found in following wallpaper:

Above wallpaper is in English, we also have its Spanish translation: