---
title: Niri Keybinds & FAQ
description: CachyOS Niri keybinds & FAQ
---

import { Kbd } from 'starlight-kbd/components'

:::note
Niri is a scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor that offers a unique approach to window management with its column-based layout system.
:::

Our main goal with our setup is to have a working Niri configuration that provides a smooth and intuitive desktop experience while keeping the configuration simple and accessible.

Take a look into our [Niri FAQ.](/configuration/desktop_environments/niri#faq)

**Dotfiles maintained by [Ly-sec](https://github.com/Ly-sec)**
For Noctalia related issues please take a look at the [Noctalia docs](https://docs.noctalia.dev/).

## Keybinds

Most of the key combinations require the use of the mod key which in our case is the Windows key (referenced as SUPER), you can change it in the config file.

### Application Control

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Open terminal | <Kbd linux="Super+Return" /> |
| Open program launcher | <Kbd linux="Super+Ctrl+Return" /> |
| Open browser (Firefox) | <Kbd linux="Super+B" /> |
| Open file manager | <Kbd linux="Super+E" /> |
| Close focused window | <Kbd linux="Super+Q" /> |
| Lock screen | <Kbd linux="Super+Alt+L" /> |

### Workspace Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Go to workspace (1-9) | <Kbd linux="Super+1" /> through <Kbd linux="Super+9" /> |
| Previous workspace | <Kbd linux="Super+Tab" /> |
| Move between workspaces with scroll wheel | <Kbd linux="Super+Scroll" /> |

### Window Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Focus window/column up | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowUp" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+K" /> |
| Focus window/column down | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowDown" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+J" /> |
| Focus column left | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowLeft" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+H" /> |
| Focus column right | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowRight" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+L" /> |
| Focus first column | <Kbd linux="Super+Home" /> |
| Focus last column | <Kbd linux="Super+End" /> |

### Monitor Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Focus monitor left | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowLeft" /> |
| Focus monitor right | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowRight" /> |
| Focus monitor up | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowUp" /> |
| Focus monitor down | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowDown" /> |

### Window Management

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Move window to workspace (1-9) | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+1" /> through <Kbd linux="Super+Control+9" /> |
| Move window/column up | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+ArrowUp" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+Control+K" /> |
| Move window/column down | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+ArrowDown" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+Control+J" /> |
| Move column left | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+ArrowLeft" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+Control+H" /> |
| Move column right | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+ArrowRight" /> or <Kbd linux="Super+Control+L" /> |
| Move column to first position | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+Home" /> |
| Move column to last position | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+End" /> |
| Move column to monitor left | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Control+ArrowLeft" /> |
| Move column to monitor right | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Control+ArrowRight" /> |
| Move column to monitor up | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Control+ArrowUp" /> |
| Move column to monitor down | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Control+ArrowDown" /> |

### Layout Controls

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Expand column to available width | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+F" /> |
| Center column | <Kbd linux="Super+C" /> |
| Center visible columns | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+C" /> |
| Decrease column width | <Kbd linux="Super+Minus" /> |
| Increase column width | <Kbd linux="Super+Equal" /> |
| Decrease window height | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Minus" /> |
| Increase window height | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Equal" /> |

### Window Modes

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Toggle window floating | <Kbd linux="Super+T" /> |
| Toggle window fullscreen | <Kbd linux="Super+F" /> |
| Toggle column tabbed display | <Kbd linux="Super+W" /> |
| Toggle overview mode | <Kbd linux="Super+O" /> |

### Screenshots

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Screenshot selection | <Kbd linux="Control+Shift+1" /> |
| Screenshot screen | <Kbd linux="Control+Shift+2" /> |
| Screenshot window | <Kbd linux="Control+Shift+3" /> |

### System Controls

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Show hotkey overlay | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Escape" /> |
| Emergency escape (restore control) | <Kbd linux="Super+Escape" /> |
| Power off monitors | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+P" /> |
| Quit Niri | <Kbd linux="Control+Alt+Delete" /> |

### Media Controls

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Volume up | <Kbd linux="VolUp" /> |
| Volume down | <Kbd linux="VolDown" /> |
| Mute audio | <Kbd linux="VolMute" /> |
| Mute microphone | <Kbd linux="MicMute" /> |
| Media next track | <Kbd linux="MediaNext" /> |
| Media previous track | <Kbd linux="MediaPrev" /> |
| Media play/pause | <Kbd linux="MediaPlayPause" /> |

### Advanced Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Horizontal scroll with mouse | <Kbd linux="Super+Scroll Left/Right" /> |
| Move column with horizontal scroll | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+Scroll Left/Right" /> |
| Alternative column navigation | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Scroll Up/Down" /> |
| Move column with alternative scroll | <Kbd linux="Super+Control+Shift+Scroll Up/Down" /> |

## FAQ

### What makes Niri different from other window managers?

Niri uses a unique scrollable-tiling approach where windows are arranged in columns that can be scrolled horizontally. This provides an infinite desktop metaphor that's particularly useful for ultrawide monitors and workflows requiring many open applications.

### How do I change the keyboard layout?

Edit the input section in your config file:

```txt title='Example'
input {
    keyboard {
        xkb {
            layout "us" // Change from "de" to your preferred layout
        }
    }
}
```

### Can I customize the gaps and window appearance?

Yes, you can modify the layout section:

```txt title='Example'
layout {
    gaps 8 // Change gap size

    focus-ring {
        width 2
        active-color "#your-color"
        inactive-color "#your-color"
    }
}
```

### How do I add more startup applications?

Add them to the startup section:

```txt title='Example'
spawn-at-startup "your-application"
```

### What is the emergency escape key for?

The `Super+Escape` binding is designed to restore control when a fullscreen application blocks your keybinds. It disables any active keyboard shortcut inhibitor.

### How do I configure multiple monitors?

Uncomment and modify the output section for your specific displays. Run `niri msg outputs` to get the correct names:

```txt title='Example'
output "DP-1" {
    mode "1920x1080@60.000"
    scale 1
}
```
