If are using GNOME 3 in Ubuntu or GNOME Shell desktop for the first time then you will have a hard time finding your way around the desktop.  The Gnome shell is tweaked for better keyboard and navigation support. Knowing a few useful shorcuts will help you to have a much better experience with Gnome 3.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some useful shortcuts to give you a complete Gnome Shell experience.

Gnome Shell Shortcuts

• System Key (Windows Key) - Allows you to switch between the overview and the desktop
• Alt+F1 - (same as the above) Switches between overview and desktop
• Alt+F2 – Opens the Command Dialog
• Alt+Tab - Switches between the applications
• Alt+Shift+Tab - Switches between the applications in reverse direction
• Esc - Closes the command dialog, menus/calendar, overview, search in the overview, Looking Glass
• Alt+[key above Tab] - Switches between the windows of the same application
• Ctrl+Alt+Tab - Allows access to accessibility switcher
• Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R - Allow to start screencast recording, hitting the same stops recording
• Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down arrow - Allows you to switch between the workspace
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up/Down arrow - Move the current window to a different workspace

Tip: You can always view and change the keyboard shortcuts to your convenience  under the User Menu -> System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts

Command Dialog Shortcuts

You have to enter the these codes in the Command Dialog (Alt+F2) without the quotes to trigger the function.

• ‘r’ or ‘restart’ - To restart GNOME Shell
• ‘rt’ - To reload the GNOME Shell theme
• ‘debugexit’ – To quit GNOME Shell

Window Shortcuts

Window shortcut keys allow you to use the keyboard to perform tasks on the currently focused window.

• Alt+Tab – Switches between currently open windows
• Alt+F7 – Moves the current window (can be moved with mouse or keyboard)
• Alt+F8 – Resizes current window (again,can be moved with mouse or keyboard)
• Alt+F9 – Minimises current window
• Alt+F10 - Maximises current window
• Alt+Space – Brings up window menu with various options as minimize, maximize, move…etc
• Alt+F5 – Returns window to ‘normal’ or previous size
• Alt+F4 – Closes window

Common Application Shortcuts

These shortcuts do not apply in all applications, but usually perform the functions listed below.

• Ctrl + C – Copy the selected text/object
• Ctrl + X - Cut the selected text/object
• Ctrl + V – Paste/insert the selected text/object
• Ctrl + A –  Select all text
• Ctrl + B – Make the selected text bold
• Ctrl + I – Make the selected text italic
• Ctrl + U - Underline the selected text
• Ctrl + N - Open a new document or window
• Ctrl + S - Save the current document
• Ctrl + O - Open another document
• Ctrl + P - Print the current document
• Ctrl + Z - Undo the last change you made
• Ctrl + Shift + Z - Redo a change that you just undid
• Ctrl + Q – Quit the current application

Useful Shortcuts

• Prnt Scrn (Print Screen) – Take a screenshot of the whole screen
• Alt + Prt Sc – Take a screenshot of the current window
• Alt+Ctrl+Del – Restart he system
• Alt+Ctrl+L - Lock the screen

Mouse Tricks

• Window maximizing - You can maximize a window by dragging it to the top edge of the screen. You can also double-click the window title to maximize. To unmaximize, pull it down again.
• Moving your mouse pointer to the top left corner of the screen – will activate the overview
• Middle clicking on the application icon – will launch it on a new workspace.
• Right clicking on the application icon – for a running application will display a menu with window titles for selecting one of the windows.
• Ctrl+Clicking on the application icon for a running application will open a new window of that application in the current workspace.

Please free suggest any left out shortcuts through our TIP US page or leave a comment below.