trents_blog/docs/posts/linux-move-cursor-with-keyboard.md

---
title: "Linux Move Cursor With Keyboard"
date: 2020-06-21T22:01:35-07:00
draft: false
tags: ["X11","xdotool","cursor","keyboard","keyboard shortcuts"]
authors: ["trent"]
post: 12
---
date: 2020-06-21T22:01:35-07:00
## **Introduction**
Linux just makes everything so easy. On a laptop it can be tricky to place your
mouse cursor on exactly the correct pixel, using the touchpad.
This became apparent to myself while using GIMP to create some png button files
for a little tkinter project, but there must be other use-cases as well.

## **xdo commands for moving the cursor**

* move the cursor one pixel left:
```console
xdotool mousemove_relative -- -1 0
```
* move the cursor one pixel right:
```console
xdotool mousemove_relative -- 1 0
```
* move the cursor one pixel up:
```console
xdotool mousemove_relative -- 0 -1
```
* move the cursor one pixel down:
```console
xdotool mousemove_relative -- 0 1
```

## **map keyboard shortcuts**
Now, in your keyboard settings, map the above commands to new custom shortcuts.
For instance, I find the

++ctrl+super+arrow-up++

++ctrl+super+arrow-down++

++ctrl+super+arrow-left++

++ctrl+super+arrow-right++

combinations to be convenient in the Mate Desktop. Enjoy!