Switch keyboard layout programmaticaly

Question

I use three different layouts and looking code to change layout programmaticaly from .bashrc function.

`.bashrc` is definitely not the right file for this. It's run when you start a shell, not when you log in. See [Alternative to .bashrc](http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/3052/alternative-to-bashrc/3085#3085) — Gilles 'SO- stop being evil', Oct 31 '12 at 21:37

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:36

For example, to get the US layout (that is, by the way, excellent for programming; see this question).

In X, try setxkbmap -layout us

In the Linux console, add XKBLAYOUT="us" to /etc/default/keyboard; then run setupcon as superuser. Or, use dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration (also as superuser). You could also use a different map in the console than in X by using KMAP; look in /etc/console-setup/.

This may require some fiddling; possibly, you'd like to write aliases and/or functions in your .bashrc for fast access. If you plan on switching back and forth, I've found that a compose key is a better solution. Unless, of course, you're writing in a totally different alphabet.

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 21 '15 at 18:38

1

It is indeed strange that X11 doesn't provide a standard tool to switch to a given layout (when you define several with setxkbmap).

But I just found a tool that can do it: xkblayout-state

With it you can get/set the current layout, either by name or by position in your layout stack.

edited Nov 21 '15 at 18:38

don_crissti

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answered Apr 05 '13 at 23:36

Pablo Saratxaga

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 06 '23 at 18:28

It may look hacky but it works like a charm:

setxkbmap -layout ru && setxkbmap -layout ru,us
setxkbmap -layout us && setxkbmap -layout us,ru

To force switch:

setxkbmap -layout ru && setxkbmap -layout us && setxkbmap -layout us,ru

You can program your loop if you need.

Switch keyboard layout programmaticaly

3 Answers3