Hotkey Listener is a python service script that listens for key combinations and executes commands and scripts.

• Start and stop a docker container with a key combination
• Shutdown your computer with a key combination
• Open a terminal with a key combination
• Open a web browser with a key combination
• Mute your microphone with a key combination
• Toggle bluetooth with a key combination
• Switch audo sources with a key combination

If you can script it, then you can run it with a keyboard shortcut.

cd ~/hotkey_listener
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install pynput

This ensures the python virtual environment is activated when running the listener:

Rename run.sample.sh to run.sh

Open run.sh in a text editor and modify the paths for your environment.

Make it executable:

chmod +x run.sh

Rename hotkey.sample.json to hotkey.json

Open hotkey.json in a text editor and add commands as needed. As you can see, you can execute bash scripts or open programs using a hotkey/key combination.

scripts/ directory has some sample bash scripts that you can modfiy or use your own bash scripts.

You can define hotkeys and commands in a JSON file:

[
  {
    "keys": ["alt", "cmd", "4"],
    "command": "bash /home/user/my_script.sh"
  },
  {
    "keys": ["alt", "cmd", "t"],
    "command": "gnome-terminal"
  }
]

Then modify the Python script to read this file dynamically if you'd like. I can help with that too.

./run.sh

You can create a .desktop file to run your hotkey listener at login:

# ~/.config/autostart/hotkey_listener.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=/home/user/scripts/hotkey_listener/run.sh
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name=Hotkey Listener
Comment=Custom keyboard shortcut listener