[SOLVED] Some keybindings in i3wm doing the wrong thing

Question

I've been using i3wm for about a year now, and up until today it's worked perfectly.
After an update, some of my keybindings are just plain doing the wrong thing. The rest seem to be working perfectly.
mod-i is for "go to the window to the right", it now opens emacs
mod-k used to close a window. It now has no apparent effect
There's no issue with the keys inside of windows. For instance, I've used the 'i' many times in this post, and it works as expected.
Here is my ~/.i3/config:
# This file has been auto-generated by i3-config-wizard(1).
# It will not be overwritten, so edit it as you like.
# Should you change your keyboard layout somewhen, delete
# this file and re-run i3-config-wizard(1).
# i3 config file (v4)
# Please see http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html for a complete reference!
set $mod Mod4
# Font for window titles. Will also be used by the bar unless a different font
# is used in the bar {} block below. ISO 10646 = Unicode
# font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-C-70-iso10646-1
# The font above is very space-efficient, that is, it looks good, sharp and
# clear in small sizes. However, if you need a lot of unicode glyphs or
# right-to-left text rendering, you should instead use pango for rendering and
# chose a FreeType font, such as:
# font pango:DejaVu Sans Mono 10
font pango: Inconsolata-dz for Powerline 8
# Use Mouse+$mod to drag floating windows to their wanted position
floating_modifier $mod
# start a terminal
bindsym $mod+Return exec termite
# kill focused window
bindsym $mod+k kill
# start dmenu (a program launcher)
bindsym $mod+w exec dmenu_run
# There also is the (new) i3-dmenu-desktop which only displays applications
# shipping a .desktop file. It is a wrapper around dmenu, so you need that
# installed.
# bindsym $mod+w exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop
# change focus
bindsym $mod+h focus left
bindsym $mod+n focus down
bindsym $mod+e focus up
bindsym $mod+i focus right
# alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Left focus left
bindsym $mod+Down focus down
bindsym $mod+Up focus up
bindsym $mod+Right focus right
# move focused window
bindsym $mod+Shift+h move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+n move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+e move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+i move right
# alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Shift+Left move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+Down move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+Up move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+Right move right
# split in horizontal orientation
bindsym $mod+o split h
# split in vertical orientation
bindsym $mod+semicolon split v
# change container layout (stacked, tabbed, toggle split)
bindsym $mod+r layout stacking
bindsym $mod+s layout tabbed
bindsym $mod+space layout toggle split
# toggle tiling / floating
bindsym $mod+Shift+space floating toggle
# change focus between tiling / floating windows
# bindsym $mod+space focus mode_toggle
# focus the parent container
bindsym $mod+a focus parent
# focus the child container
# bindsym $mod+d focus child
# switch to workspace
bindsym $mod+1 workspace 1
bindsym $mod+2 workspace 2
bindsym $mod+3 workspace 3
bindsym $mod+4 workspace 4
bindsym $mod+5 workspace 5
bindsym $mod+6 workspace 6
bindsym $mod+7 workspace 7
bindsym $mod+8 workspace 8
bindsym $mod+9 workspace 9
bindsym $mod+0 workspace 10
# move focused container to workspace
bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace 1
bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace 2
bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace 3
bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace 4
bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace 5
bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace 6
bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace 7
bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace 8
bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace 9
bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace 10
# Scratchpad stuff
bindsym $mod+bracketleft scratchpad show
bindsym $mod+bracketright move scratchpad
# reload the configuration file
bindsym $mod+Shift+r reload
# restart i3 inplace (preserves your layout/session, can be used to upgrade i3)
bindsym $mod+Shift+p restart
# exit i3 (logs you out of your X session)
bindsym $mod+Shift+f exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'You pressed the exit shortcut. Do you really want to exit i3? This will end your X session.' -b 'Yes, exit i3' 'i3-msg exit'"
# resize window (you can also use the mouse for that)
mode "resize" {
# These bindings trigger as soon as you enter the resize mode
# Pressing left will shrink the window’s width.
# Pressing right will grow the window’s width.
# Pressing up will shrink the window’s height.
# Pressing down will grow the window’s height.
bindsym h resize shrink width 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym n resize grow height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym e resize shrink height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym i resize grow width 10 px or 10 ppt
# same bindings, but for the arrow keys
bindsym Left resize shrink width 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Down resize grow height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Up resize shrink height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Right resize grow width 10 px or 10 ppt
# back to normal: Enter or Escape
bindsym Return mode "default"
bindsym Escape mode "default"
# Monitor configurations
# V H
# exec (xrandr --output DVI-D-1 --auto --rotate left && xrandr --output DVI-D-2 --auto --rotate right --right-of DVI-D-1)
# H V
# exec (xrandr --output DVI-D-1 --auto --rotate normal && xrandr --output DVI-D-2 --auto --rotate left --right-of DVI-D-1)
# V V
# exec (xrandr --output DVI-D-1 --auto --rotate left && xrandr --output DVI-D-2 --auto --rotate left --right-of DVI-D-1)
# H H
exec (xrandr --output DVI-D-1 --auto && xrandr --output DVI-D-2 --auto --right-of DVI-D-1)
exec setxkbmap us -variant colemak -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp,grp:rctrl_toggle,compose:ralt,ctrl:nocaps
# Start i3bar to display a workspace bar (plus the system information i3status
# finds out, if available)
bar {
output DVI-D-1
position top
# status_command cat
status_command $HOME/bin/barinfo
tray_output DVI-D-2
mode dock
# These are the colors for the window borders, so I'm going to apply them here
# BorderFrame Border Title NextWindowGoesHere
# client.focused #268bd2 #268bd2 #fdf6e3 #93a1a1
# client.focused_inactive #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
# client.unfocused #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
# client.urgent #dc322f #dc322f #fdf6e3 #cb4b16
colors {
background #222222
focused_workspace #222222 #222222 #eeeeee
active_workspace #222222 #222222 #cccccc
inactive_workspace #222222 #222222 #aaaaaa
urgent_workspace #ee0000 #ee0000 #ffffff
# Solarized
# background #073642
# focused_workspace #073642 #073642 #eee8d5
# active_workspace #073642 #073642 #2aa198
# inactive_workspace #073642 #073642 #268bd2
# urgent_workspace #dc322f #dc322f #fdf6e3
bar {
output DVI-D-2
position top
status_command cat
# status_command $HOME/bin/barinfo
tray_output DVI-D-2
mode dock
colors {
background #222222
focused_workspace #222222 #222222 #eeeeee
active_workspace #222222 #222222 #cccccc
inactive_workspace #222222 #222222 #aaaaaa
urgent_workspace #ee0000 #ee0000 #ffffff
# Application keybindings
bindsym $mod+c exec firefox
bindsym $mod+shift+c exec chromium --incognito
bindsym $mod+grave exec dwb
bindsym $mod+f exec thunar
bindsym $mod+m exec emacs
bindsym $mod+t exec termite
bindsym $mod+shift+t exec urxvt
bindsym $mod+p exec pavucontrol
bindsym $mod+l exec emacs "~/prj/lysa/en/book"
# Resize windows
bindsym Control+$mod+h resize shrink width 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+n resize grow height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+e resize shrink height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+i resize grow width 10 px or 10 ppt
# same bindings, but for the arrow keys
bindsym Control+$mod+Left resize shrink width 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+Down resize grow height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+Up resize shrink height 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Control+$mod+Right resize grow width 10 px or 10 ppt
bindsym Print exec scrot -e 'mv $f ~/pics/screenshots/'
bindsym F13 exec scrot -e 'mv $f ~/pics/screenshots/'
bindsym XF86AudioMute exec pamixer --toggle-mute
bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec pamixer --decrease 5
bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec pamixer --increase 5
bindsym $mod+F10 exec pamixer --toggle-mute
bindsym $mod+F11 exec pamixer --decrease 5
bindsym $mod+F12 exec pamixer --increase 5
bindsym $mod+F7 exec mpc prev
bindsym $mod+F8 exec mpc toggle
bindsym $mod+F9 exec mpc next
bindsym $mod+Shift+u move container to workspace prev
bindsym $mod+Shift+y move container to workspace next
bindsym $mod+u workspace prev
bindsym $mod+y workspace next
# Panel things
exec deluge
# exec dropbox
exec google-musicmanager
exec $HOME/bin/gmail-notifyd
exec nm-applet
exec parcellite
exec mpd
# exec ncmpcpp pause
exec urxvtd
# Non-panel things
exec compton
exec dunst
exec emacs --daemon
exec thunar --daemon
exec redshift -l 40.7500:111.8833
exec nitrogen --restore
exec urxvtd
# Solarized
# client.focused #268bd2 #268bd2 #fdf6e3 #93a1a1
# client.focused #f336a2 #f336a2 #fdf6e3 #93a1a1
# client.focused_inactive #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
# client.unfocused #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
# client.urgent #dc322f #dc322f #fdf6e3 #cb4b16
# BorderFrame Border Title NextWindowGoesHere
client.focused #00eeee #00eeee #eeeeee #aaaaaa
client.focused_inactive #222222 #222222 #dddddd #aaaaaa
client.unfocused #222222 #222222 #dddddd #aaaaaa
client.urgent #ee0000 #ee0000 #ffffff #aaaaaa
focus_follows_mouse no
for_window [class="^.*"] border pixel 6
new_window 1pixel
^ That's the ~/.i3/config for my desktop machine
The same thing is happening on my other computer, so I don't think it's an issue specifically with my machine.
My laptop's ~/.i3/config:
# This file has been auto-generated by i3-config-wizard(1).
# It will not be overwritten, so edit it as you like.
# Should you change your keyboard layout somewhen, delete
# this file and re-run i3-config-wizard(1).
# i3 config file (v4)
# Please see http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html for a complete reference!
set $mod Mod4
# Font for window titles. Will also be used by the bar unless a different font
# is used in the bar {} block below. ISO 10646 = Unicode
# font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-C-70-iso10646-1
# The font above is very space-efficient, that is, it looks good, sharp and
# clear in small sizes. However, if you need a lot of unicode glyphs or
# right-to-left text rendering, you should instead use pango for rendering and
# chose a FreeType font, such as:
font pango: Inconsolata-dz for Powerline 9
# Use Mouse+$mod to drag floating windows to their wanted position
floating_modifier $mod
# start a terminal
bindsym $mod+Return exec termite
bindsym $mod+Shift+Return exec termite
# kill focused window
bindsym $mod+k kill
# start dmenu (a program launcher)
bindsym $mod+w exec dmenu_run
# There also is the (new) i3-dmenu-desktop# This file has been auto-generated by i3-config-wizard(1).
# It will not be overwritten, so edit it as you like.
# Should you change your keyboard layout somewhen, delete
# this file and re-run i3-config-wizard(1).
# There also is the (new) i3-dmenu-desktop which only displays applications
# shipping a .desktop file. It is a wrapper around dmenu, so you need that
# installed.
# bindsym $mod+d exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop
# change focus
bindsym $mod+h focus left
bindsym $mod+n focus down
bindsym $mod+e focus up
bindsym $mod+i focus right
# alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Left focus left
bindsym $mod+Down focus down
bindsym $mod+Up focus up
bindsym $mod+Right focus right
# move focused window
bindsym $mod+Shift+h move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+n move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+e move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+i move right
# alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Shift+Left move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+Down move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+Up move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+Right move right
# split in horizontal orientation
bindsym $mod+o split h
# split in vertical orientation
bindsym $mod+semicolon split v
# change container layout (stacked, tabbed, toggle split)
bindsym $mod+s layout stacking
bindsym $mod+t layout tabbed
bindsym $mod+space layout toggle split
# toggle tiling / floating
bindsym $mod+Shift+space floating toggle
# focus the parent container
bindsym $mod+a focus parent
# switch to workspace
bindsym $mod+1 workspace 1
bindsym $mod+2 workspace 2
bindsym $mod+3 workspace 3
bindsym $mod+4 workspace 4
bindsym $mod+5 workspace 5
bindsym $mod+6 workspace 6
bindsym $mod+7 workspace 7
bindsym $mod+8 workspace 8
bindsym $mod+9 workspace 9
bindsym $mod+0 workspace 10
# move focused container to workspace
bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace 1
bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace 2
bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace 3
bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace 4
bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace 5
bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace 6
bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace 7
bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace 8
bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace 9
bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace 10
bindsym $mod+u workspace prev
bindsym $mod+y workspace next
# Scratchpad stuff
bindsym $mod+bracketleft scratchpad show
bindsym $mod+bracketright move scratchpad
# reload the configuration file
bindsym $mod+Shift+r reload
# restart i3 inplace (preserves your layout/session, can be used to upgrade i3)
bindsym $mod+Shift+p restart
# exit i3 (logs you out of your X session)
bindsym $mod+Shift+f exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'You pressed the exit shortcut. Do you really want to exit i3? This will end your X session.' -b 'Yes, exit i3' 'i3-msg exit'"
bindsym $mod+Shift+k exec killall -u pete
exec setxkbmap us,ru -variant colemak, -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp,grp:rctrl_toggle,compose:ralt,ctrl:nocaps
# Start i3bar to display a workspace bar (plus the system information i3status
# finds out, if available)
bar {
position top
status_command $HOME/bin/barinfo
colors {
# background #222222
# focused_workspace #222222 #222222 #eeeeee
# active_workspace #222222 #222222 #cccccc
# inactive_workspace #222222 #222222 #aaaaaa
# urgent_workspace #ee0000 #ee0000 #ffffff
# Solarized
background #073642
focused_workspace #073642 #073642 #eee8d5
active_workspace #073642 #073642 #2aa198
inactive_workspace #073642 #073642 #268bd2
urgent_workspace #dc322f #dc322f #fdf6e3
# Application keybindings
bindsym $mod+c exec firefox
bindsym $mod+grave exec xombrero
bindsym $mod+f exec thunar
bindsym $mod+m exec emacs
bindsym $mod+p exec pavucontrol
bindsym $mod+r exec thunderbird
bindsym $mod+l exec emacs "~/prj/lysa/en/book"
bindsym Control+$mod+l exec $HOME/bin/startlysa
# Resize windows
bindsym Control+$mod+h resize shrink width 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+n resize grow height 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+e resize shrink height 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+i resize grow width 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+Left resize shrink width 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+Down resize grow height 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+Up resize shrink height 05 px
bindsym Control+$mod+Right resize grow width 05 px
bindsym Print exec scrot -e 'mv $f ~/pics/screenshots/'
bindsym XF86AudioMute exec amixer set Master toggle
bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec amixer set Master 8%-
bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec amixer set Master 8%+
bindsym $mod+F7 exec mpc prev
bindsym $mod+F8 exec mpc toggle
bindsym $mod+F9 exec mpc next
bindsym $mod+F10 exec pamixer --toggle-mute
bindsym $mod+F11 exec pamixer --decrease 5
bindsym $mod+F12 exec pamixer --increase 5
# Autostarted applications
# exec deluge
exec cbatticon
# exec dropbox
exec kalu
exec nm-applet
exec parcellite
exec mpd
exec ncmpcpp pause
exec urxvtd
# exec xscreensaver
# Non-panel things
# exec compton
exec dunst
# exec $HOME/bin/gmail-notifyd
exec emacs --daemon
exec thunar --daemon
exec nitrogen --restore
exec redshift -l 40.75:111.8833
exec synclient TouchpadOff=1
# Solarized
# client.focused #268bd2 #268bd2 #fdf6e3 #93a1a1
client.focused #f336a2 #f336a2 #fdf6e3 #93a1a1
client.focused_inactive #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
client.unfocused #002b36 #002b36 #d0d0d0 #93a1a1
client.urgent #dc322f #dc322f #fdf6e3 #cb4b16
# BorderFrame Border Title NextWindowGoesHere
# client.focused #00eeee #00eeee #eeeeee #aaaaaa
# client.focused_inactive #222222 #222222 #dddddd #aaaaaa
# client.unfocused #222222 #222222 #dddddd #aaaaaa
# client.urgent #ee0000 #ee0000 #ffffff #aaaaaa
focus_follows_mouse no
for_window [class="^.*"] border pixel 5
new_window 1pixel
Here is what I tried:
Restarting X11
Rebooting
Reinstalling i3
None of them had any apparent effect.
Edit:
Upon further investigation, this is a bug in i3: https://github.com/i3/i3/issues/1302#is … t-77648601
Hopefully the fix is coming soon.
Last edited by pharpend (2015-03-09 16:54:04)

Answer 1

Same issue here, on 2 different laptops. Things were working fine, and suddenly my mod+123456789 keys to switch workspace won't work anymore (and maybe others that I haven't noticed yet).
Since I have a Fr-pc keyboard, actually those are:
mod+ampersand
mod+eacute
mod+quotedbl
etc...
By chance, mod+cedilla is working and open and switch to Workspace 5 (instead of Worskpace 9 but let's not be picky..) ! thanks god, life was awful with one workspace.
I hope they'll fix this soon.