Setting a key shortcut to run an application in GNOME

Adam Samalik, Anthony McGlone Version F37 Last review: 2022-12-12 update procedure

If you frequently use a certain application, you can set a keyboard shortcut to quickly launch that application on GNOME.

This example shows how to set a key shortcut to launch the terminal.

To set a key shortcut to run an application:

  1. Open the Settings menu and select Keyboard from the list.

  2. Scroll down to the Keyboard Shortcuts section and click View and Customize Shortcuts.

  3. Click on the Custom Shortcuts menu item. Then click Add Shortcut.

  4. Enter the following details in the Add Custom Shortcut window:

    • Add a Name for your shortcut, for example, Terminal.

    • Enter the command that launches the application. For example, gnome-terminal.

  5. Click Set Shortcut to open the Enter the new shortcut dialog.

  6. Type a keyboard shortcut, for example Ctrl-Alt-T.

  7. Click Add.

Your shortcut appears under Custom Shortcuts and is ready to use. If you need to edit or remove a shortcut, follow the steps below.

To edit a shortcut:

  1. Open the Custom Shortcuts menu.

  2. Click on the shortcut that you wish to edit.

  3. Modify Name, Command as needed.

  4. To change Shortcut, click on the x icon beside the keys.

  5. Click Set Shortcut and enter the new shortcut keys.

To remove a shortcut:

  1. Open the Custom Shortcuts menu.

  2. Click on the shortcut that you wish to remove.

  3. Click the Remove button.

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