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'''KRunner''' (launched with Alt-F2 or Alt-SPACE) is the launcher built into the Plasma desktop. While its basic function is to launch programs from a sort of mini-command-line, its functionality can be extended by "runners" to assist the user to accomplish a lot of tasks. | |||
<!--T:131--> | |||
{{Note|1=You may need to install additional '''KRunner''' addons package depending on your distribution to use some of the functionalities listed here. Note that a large number of active addons may slow down the start of KRunner, adjust this by clicking the "settings" icon to the left of the text entry field.}} | |||
<!--T:47--> | |||
[[Image:KRunner.png||center]] | |||
=== | ==Features== <!--T:48--> | ||
<!--T:49--> | |||
This woefully incomplete list attempts to present some basic examples of '''KRunner''' use. Discover more by clicking on the '?' icon in '''KRunner'''. | |||
===Start and stop applications=== <!--T:50--> | |||
<!--T:140--> | |||
(builtin plugin: Applications) | |||
<!--T:51--> | |||
You can launch programs by simply typing the name of the application you want to launch - or even simpler: press the down-arrow key for list of ''most recently used'' programs you typed in beforehand. | |||
You can use the ' | <!--T:132--> | ||
You may type a single character and KRunner will start finding matches. Matches will be found to applications from your easily customizable applications menu (for that, right-click in menu). | |||
<!--T:52--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
| <code> gwe </code> || ''(starts [[Special:myLanguage/Gwenview|Gwenview]])'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:137--> | |||
[[Image:KRunner_app.png||center]] | |||
<!--T:53--> | |||
You can use '''KRunner''' to kill applications, too (builtin plugin: Terminate Applications) Type in the keyword <code>kill</code> followed by a process name and '''KRunner''' will provide options to close the application (SIGTERM) or forcibly quit it (SIGKILL). '''KRunner''' will match partial process names to running processes. | |||
<!--T:54--> | |||
Note that the keyword <code>kill</code> can be changed in the "Terminate Applications" runner to avoid confusion with the shell command kill which accepts process IDs. | |||
===Direct installation=== <!--T:135--> | |||
<!--T:141--> | |||
(builtin plugin: Software Center) | |||
<!--T:136--> | |||
In case that you look for an application that has not been installed yet, KRunner will suggest a set of applications that match your search. In specific, since KRunner has been integrated with Plasma Software Center, [[Special:myLanguage/Discover | Discover]], will present you a list of applications, enabling you to proceed to direct installation. | |||
===Issue (shell) commands=== <!--T:55--> | |||
<!--T:142--> | |||
(builtin plugin: Command Line) | |||
<!--T:56--> | |||
In addition to applications listed in the applications menu, '''KRunner''' can also be used to run shell commands, including launching binaries. Note that when entering shell commands, '''KRunner''' will not accept partial commands or offer command auto completion. | |||
<!--T:57--> | |||
Running a command like this brings up a wrench icon which offers additional options. You can choose to spawn a terminal and run the command there (this can be useful if your command produces text output that you want to read), or choose to run the program as a different user (by providing the username and password of that user). | |||
<!--T:58--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> ls ~/Documents </code> || ''lists contents of ~/Documents (preferably in a terminal)'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> cp ~/Documents/myFile ~/myFile </code> || ''copies myFile from ~/Documents to ~/'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> mplayer myMovie.mkv </code> || ''plays myMovie.mkv in mplayer'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:59--> | |||
Incidentally, if the command line is your thing, you may appreciate the built in integration to man pages. Simply type a command name preceded by a <code>#</code> or <code>man:/</code> to open the man page formatted for easy readability in your browser. | |||
<!--T:60--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> #ls </code> || ''opens the manual for ls in a browser'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> man:/grep </code> || ''opens the manual for grep in a browser'' | |||
|} | |||
===Browse websites=== <!--T:61--> | |||
<!--T:143--> | |||
(builtin plugins: Bookmarks, Locations, Web Search Keywords) | |||
<!--T:62--> | |||
You can simply start typing the URL of a website to open it in your default browser. You may even type in the name of a browser bookmark and '''KRunner''' will open it for you. If you have visited the website in the past, '''KRunner''' can fetch you results from your browser's history, too. | |||
<!--T:63--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> myBookmark </code> || ''opens the bookmark in a browser'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> kde.org </code> || ''opens the [http://www.kde.org KDE homepage] in a browser'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> http://userbase.kde.org/ </code> || ''opens [http://userbase.kde.org/ Userbase] in a browser'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:64--> | |||
'''KRunner''' already knows your Web Shortcuts, found in Plasma System Settings, so you can directly start using them. | |||
<!--T:65--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> gg:KDE </code> || ''searches Google for KDE'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> wp:krunner </code> || ''searches Wikipedia for krunner'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:66--> | |||
'''KRunner''' also provides options to download files from the web using [[Special:myLanguage/KGet|KGet]] by providing their URL. | |||
<!--T:67--> | |||
Additional runners exist for fast searching on Wikipedia, Wikitravel and KDE Techbase. | |||
===Open files, folders and devices=== <!--T:68--> | |||
<!--T:144--> | |||
(builtin plugin: Locations) | |||
<!--T:69--> | |||
'''KRunner''' can also open files and directories on your local machine for you. If you want to browse remote machines, you can do that, too. Notice how '''KRunner''' uses kioslaves for ssh (fish:) and samba (smb:). | |||
<!--T:70--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> file:/home/ </code> || ''opens file:///home/ (the Home directory) in [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> file:myMovie.mkv </code> || ''opens /home/myMovie.mkv'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> fish:[email protected] </code> || ''opens fish:/[email protected]/ via fish (file over ssh) protocol'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> smb:myWindowsBox </code> || ''opens smb:/myWindowsBox via Samba'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:71--> | |||
If you don't know the path to a file, simply type the name of the file. If the file is a recently opened document, '''KRunner''' will list it for you. If you have enabled "File Search" provided by [https://community.kde.org/Baloo Baloo] daemon, you can also search your computer for the file by its indexed contents. '''KRunner''' will also open folders you've bookmarked in [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]] (in your Places sidebar) if you type their name in. What's more, if you want to access devices on your system (both mounted and unmounted), you can do that, too. '''KRunner''' will even provide device-specific options. | |||
<!--T:72--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> Home </code> || ''opens the Home directory in [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> myFlashDrive </code> || ''shows options to mount or open the contents of myFlashDrive'' | |||
|} | |||
===Multitask with sessions, windows, desktops and activities=== <!--T:73--> | |||
<!--T:74--> | |||
Several KDE applications allow you to save and load sessions. '''KRunner''' allows you to launch these sessions. You can either type in the name of the application or directly type in the name of the session. Runners exist for opening sessions saved in [[Special:myLanguage/Kate|Kate]], [[Special:myLanguage/Konqueror|Konqueror]], [[Special:myLanguage/Konsole|Konsole]], etc. | |||
<!--T:75--> | |||
'''KRunner''' is a multitasker's dream. If you have too many windows open, just type in the title of the window and switch directly to it. You can similarly type in the name of a virtual desktop and switch directly to it. If you roll with activities, switch activities by typing their name in. '''KRunner''' will find a match as soon as you type three characters in. | |||
<!--T:76--> | |||
'''KRunner''' will even switch desktop sessions for you. Type in the keyword <code>switch</code> or <code>new session</code> to start a separate X session. You can switch back and forth between sessions by using the <code>switch</code> keyword. | |||
<!--T:77--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> Desktop 1 </code> || ''switches the virtual desktop to Desktop 1'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> myWorkActivity </code> || ''switches the activity to myWorkActivity'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> switch </code> || ''shows options to switch to an existing session or start a new one'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> new session </code> || ''starts a new session'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:78--> | |||
Several plasma widgets can be launched as windowed applications. You can simply type the name of a widget and '''KRunner''' will launch a window for you. | |||
===Talk to people=== <!--T:79--> | |||
<!--T:80--> | |||
Type in the name of a contact in your [[Special:myLanguage/KAddressBook|KAddressBook]] to get a list of options to contact them. Typing in an email address into '''KRunner''' will open a [[Special:myLanguage/KMail|KMail]] composer window. You can also search through contacts in your [[Special:myLanguage/Kopete|Kopete]] contact list. | |||
<!--T:81--> | |||
The addressbook and kopete runners don't seem to be working in SC 4.8. | |||
<!--T:82--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> [email protected] </code> || ''compose a mail to the KDE mailing list'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> myContact </code> || ''show options to contact myContact'' | |||
|} | |||
===Listen to some music=== <!--T:83--> | |||
<!--T:84--> | |||
You can control any modern audio player such as [[Special:myLanguage/Amarok|Amarok]] using '''KRunner'''. You can use several keywords (all configurable) to <code>play</code>, <code>pause</code> or skip songs. Typing in the name of an artist, album or song that is in [[Special:myLanguage/Amarok|Amarok]]'s library will let you either play immediately, play next (<code>queue</code>) or play at the end (<code>append</code>) of the current playlist. You can use keywords to <code>increase</code> or <code>decrease</code> the volume of the player, or even to <code>mute</code> or <code>quit</code> it. | |||
<!--T:85--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> play ''song search'' </code> || ''plays a song immediately'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> pause </code> || ''pauses [[Special:myLanguage/Amarok|Amarok]] or your designated music player'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> next </code> || ''plays next song in playlist'' | |||
|} | |||
===Be on time=== <!--T:86--> | |||
<!--T:87--> | |||
You can get the current date or time by typing in the keywords <code>date</code> or <code>time</code>. Selecting the result will copy it to your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere. The format of the date and time respects your system settings. | |||
<!--T:88--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> date </code> || Today's date is ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> time </code> || The current time is ... | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:138--> | |||
[[Image:KRunner_time.png||center]] | |||
<!--T:89--> | |||
You can even get the date and time at another location by specifying the time zone or the city listed in the TZ database. | |||
<!--T:90--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> time UTC </code> || The current time in UTC is ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> time oslo </code> || The current time in Europe/Oslo is ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> time kolkata </code> || The current time in Asia/Kolkata is ... | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:91--> | |||
There is a runner for interfacing with [[Special:myLanguage/KOrganizer|Korganizer]] and fetching events, but it doesn't seem to be working in SC 4.8. | |||
===Calculator=== <!--T:92--> | |||
<!--T:93--> | |||
'''KRunner''' features a very versatile calculator that can be called by starting or ending a calculation with an <code>=</code> sign. In addition to basic arithmetic, you can call scientific functions like <code>sqrt()</code>, <code>sin()</code>, <code>log()</code>, etc. A list of the supported functions is [http://qalculate.github.io/manual/qalculate-definitions-functions.html here]. Note that trigonometric functions like <code>sin()</code>, <code>cos()</code>, etc expect the angle in radians. '''KRunner''' understands <code>pi</code> in expressions. | |||
<!--T:94--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 32*12 = </code> || 384 | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = sqrt(4) + 32*sin(30*pi/180) </code> || 18 | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:139--> | |||
[[Image:KRunner_calc.png||center]] | |||
<!--T:133--> | |||
'''KRunner''' also supports combinatorics functions, like <code>perm()</code> or <code>comb()</code>. | |||
<!--T:134--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = perm(10,5) </code> || 30240 | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = comb(10,5) </code> || 252 | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:95--> | |||
'''KRunner''' can also handle symbolic mathematics and perform integration and differentiation on expressions | |||
<!--T:96--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = integrate( -x/y^2, y ) </code> || -x/y | |||
|- | |||
|<code> diff( log(x) ) = </code> || 1/x | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:97--> | |||
You can also use '''KRunner''' to solve polynomial functions to find its roots. | |||
<!--T:98--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = solve( x^2 + 4*x - 21 = 0 ) </code>|| [3, -7] | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:99--> | |||
'''KRunner''' intelligently handles units as part of the calculations. Try the following examples to see how. | |||
<!--T:100--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> = 2.5 kg * 10 m/s^2 </code> || 25 N | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 220 V / 10 A = </code> || 22 ohms | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:101--> | |||
Since '''KRunner''' understands most units, you can use it to convert them very quickly. Note that unit conversions don't require an <code>=</code> sign. | |||
<!--T:102--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 30 F </code> || -1.11111 degrees C (°C), 273.039 K, ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 27.8 km </code> || 1.09449e+06 inches (in), 17.2742 miles (mi), ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 5 gallons in liters </code> || 18.9271 liters (l) | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:103--> | |||
'''KRunner''' knows currencies, too. Conversions between currencies is done by fetching the exchange rate from the [http://www.ecb.int/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/index.en.html European Central Bank] website. | |||
<!--T:104--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 1 dollar </code> || 0.657002 pounds sterling (GBP), 0.742501 euros (EUR), ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 125 euros </code> || 110.606 pounds sterling (GBP), 15,785 yen (JPY), ... | |||
|- | |||
|<code> 30 JPY in RUB </code> || 9.40731 rubles (RUB) | |||
|} | |||
===Go places=== <!--T:105--> | |||
<!--T:106--> | |||
If you have bookmarked locations in the '''Marble''' (in OpenStreetMap), '''KRunner''' can open the map directly. | |||
===Spell checking and special characters=== <!--T:107--> | |||
<!--T:108--> | |||
'''KRunner''' can tell you whether your spelling is correct and/or suggest corrections. The default keyword to start the spellchecker is <code>spell</code> and can be configured. | |||
<!--T:109--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> spell linux </code> || Suggested words: Linux, lynx, ... | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:110--> | |||
'''KRunner''' can also allow you to pick special characters if you can specify the hexadecimal unicode for the character, preceded by a <code>#</code> sign. | |||
<!--T:111--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> #03b2 </code> || β | |||
|- | |||
|<code> #00b1 </code> || ± | |||
|} | |||
===Manage your computer=== <!--T:112--> | |||
<!--T:113--> | |||
You can directly open system settings control modules from '''KRunner'''. Often, if you want to change something, just type associated terms and '''KRunner''' will find the control module with the settings you want. | |||
<!--T:114--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> keyboard </code> || ''opens the Keyboard settings control module'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> fonts </code> || ''opens the fonts settings control module'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> password </code> || ''opens the Password & User account control module'' | |||
|} | |||
<!--T:115--> | |||
'''KRunner''' can also be used to adjust the screen brightness by using the keywords "screen brightness". You can specify a percentage or just turn the brightness halfway or fully down. Additionally, keywords exist to suspend, logout, shutdown or restart your machine. | |||
<!--T:116--> | |||
Examples: | |||
{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey" | |||
| Input || Output | |||
|- | |||
|<code> screen brightness 100 </code> || ''increases screen brightness to 100%'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> sleep </code> || ''suspends computer to RAM'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> lock </code> || ''locks the screen'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> restart </code> || ''restarts computer'' | |||
|- | |||
|<code> shutdown </code> || ''shutdowns computer'' | |||
|} | |||
==Usage== <!--T:117--> | |||
===Open KRunner=== <!--T:118--> | |||
<!--T:119--> | |||
The easiest way to open '''KRunner''' is to trigger its global shortcut (<keycap>Alt+Space</keycap> or <keycap>Alt+F2</keycap>, by default). In some activities (e.g. Desktop), you can simply click on the desktop and start typing. In others (e.g. Search and Launch), '''KRunner''' may be built into the activity itself. | |||
<!--T:120--> | |||
You can also right-click on your plasma workspace and select <menuchoice>Run Command...</menuchoice> or just simply launch it from the commandline by typing <code>krunner</code>. | |||
===Use KRunner=== <!--T:121--> | |||
<!--T:122--> | |||
Use <keycap>Tab</keycap>/<keycap>Ctrl+j</keycap> or <keycap>Shift+Tab</keycap>/<keycap>Ctrl+k</keycap> to navigate up and down results. Use <keycap>arrow keys</keycap> to move between options (if any) in a result. Use <keycap>Enter</keycap> (or left click) to select a result. | |||
===Discover KRunner=== <!--T:123--> | |||
<!--T:124--> | |||
Click on the wrench icon to bring up configuration options where you can enable/disable/configure runners that will process your searches. Additional options are available to change the position on the screen where krunner appears. You can even change the style to a task-oriented interface, if you like. | |||
<!--T:126--> | |||
Clicking on the '?' icon opens a scrollable list that explains the syntax of all the available runners. This is a good way to discover new functionality! | |||
</translate><span id="Tips, Tricks and FAQs"></span><translate> | |||
==Tips, Tricks and FAQs== <!--T:127--> | |||
<!--T:128--> | |||
You can use '''KRunner''' in a special "single runner" mode. While in this mode, KRunner will only have one active runner to process your searches. This feature isn't supported by all runners, but quite a few already do. Open the global keyboard shortcuts control module directly from '''KRunner''' and choose the "Run Command Interface" to see what's available. Set a global shortcut for the mode you want and launch '''KRunner''' in that mode. You can have as many modes as you can find shortcuts for. {{Smiley}} | |||
<!--T:129--> | |||
This [https://sciencekde.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/advanced-calculator-runner/ blog] covers some of the advanced usage of the calculator runner. | |||
<!--T:130--> | |||
[[Category:Tutorials]] | |||
[[Category:System]] | |||
</translate> |
Latest revision as of 17:30, 30 August 2021
KRunner (launched with Alt-F2 or Alt-SPACE) is the launcher built into the Plasma desktop. While its basic function is to launch programs from a sort of mini-command-line, its functionality can be extended by "runners" to assist the user to accomplish a lot of tasks.
Features
This woefully incomplete list attempts to present some basic examples of KRunner use. Discover more by clicking on the '?' icon in KRunner.
Start and stop applications
(builtin plugin: Applications)
You can launch programs by simply typing the name of the application you want to launch - or even simpler: press the down-arrow key for list of most recently used programs you typed in beforehand.
You may type a single character and KRunner will start finding matches. Matches will be found to applications from your easily customizable applications menu (for that, right-click in menu).
Examples:
Input | Output |
gwe |
(starts Gwenview) |
You can use KRunner to kill applications, too (builtin plugin: Terminate Applications) Type in the keyword kill
followed by a process name and KRunner will provide options to close the application (SIGTERM) or forcibly quit it (SIGKILL). KRunner will match partial process names to running processes.
Note that the keyword kill
can be changed in the "Terminate Applications" runner to avoid confusion with the shell command kill which accepts process IDs.
Direct installation
(builtin plugin: Software Center)
In case that you look for an application that has not been installed yet, KRunner will suggest a set of applications that match your search. In specific, since KRunner has been integrated with Plasma Software Center, Discover, will present you a list of applications, enabling you to proceed to direct installation.
Issue (shell) commands
(builtin plugin: Command Line)
In addition to applications listed in the applications menu, KRunner can also be used to run shell commands, including launching binaries. Note that when entering shell commands, KRunner will not accept partial commands or offer command auto completion.
Running a command like this brings up a wrench icon which offers additional options. You can choose to spawn a terminal and run the command there (this can be useful if your command produces text output that you want to read), or choose to run the program as a different user (by providing the username and password of that user).
Examples:
Input | Output |
ls ~/Documents |
lists contents of ~/Documents (preferably in a terminal) |
cp ~/Documents/myFile ~/myFile |
copies myFile from ~/Documents to ~/ |
mplayer myMovie.mkv |
plays myMovie.mkv in mplayer |
Incidentally, if the command line is your thing, you may appreciate the built in integration to man pages. Simply type a command name preceded by a #
or man:/
to open the man page formatted for easy readability in your browser.
Examples:
Input | Output |
#ls |
opens the manual for ls in a browser |
man:/grep |
opens the manual for grep in a browser |
Browse websites
(builtin plugins: Bookmarks, Locations, Web Search Keywords)
You can simply start typing the URL of a website to open it in your default browser. You may even type in the name of a browser bookmark and KRunner will open it for you. If you have visited the website in the past, KRunner can fetch you results from your browser's history, too.
Examples:
Input | Output |
myBookmark |
opens the bookmark in a browser |
kde.org |
opens the KDE homepage in a browser |
http://userbase.kde.org/ |
opens Userbase in a browser |
KRunner already knows your Web Shortcuts, found in Plasma System Settings, so you can directly start using them.
Examples:
Input | Output |
gg:KDE |
searches Google for KDE |
wp:krunner |
searches Wikipedia for krunner |
KRunner also provides options to download files from the web using KGet by providing their URL.
Additional runners exist for fast searching on Wikipedia, Wikitravel and KDE Techbase.
Open files, folders and devices
(builtin plugin: Locations)
KRunner can also open files and directories on your local machine for you. If you want to browse remote machines, you can do that, too. Notice how KRunner uses kioslaves for ssh (fish:) and samba (smb:).
Examples:
Input | Output |
file:/home/ |
opens file:///home/ (the Home directory) in Dolphin |
file:myMovie.mkv |
opens /home/myMovie.mkv |
fish:[email protected] |
opens fish:/[email protected]/ via fish (file over ssh) protocol |
smb:myWindowsBox |
opens smb:/myWindowsBox via Samba |
If you don't know the path to a file, simply type the name of the file. If the file is a recently opened document, KRunner will list it for you. If you have enabled "File Search" provided by Baloo daemon, you can also search your computer for the file by its indexed contents. KRunner will also open folders you've bookmarked in Dolphin (in your Places sidebar) if you type their name in. What's more, if you want to access devices on your system (both mounted and unmounted), you can do that, too. KRunner will even provide device-specific options.
Examples:
Input | Output |
Home |
opens the Home directory in Dolphin |
myFlashDrive |
shows options to mount or open the contents of myFlashDrive |
Multitask with sessions, windows, desktops and activities
Several KDE applications allow you to save and load sessions. KRunner allows you to launch these sessions. You can either type in the name of the application or directly type in the name of the session. Runners exist for opening sessions saved in Kate, Konqueror, Konsole, etc.
KRunner is a multitasker's dream. If you have too many windows open, just type in the title of the window and switch directly to it. You can similarly type in the name of a virtual desktop and switch directly to it. If you roll with activities, switch activities by typing their name in. KRunner will find a match as soon as you type three characters in.
KRunner will even switch desktop sessions for you. Type in the keyword switch
or new session
to start a separate X session. You can switch back and forth between sessions by using the switch
keyword.
Examples:
Input | Output |
Desktop 1 |
switches the virtual desktop to Desktop 1 |
myWorkActivity |
switches the activity to myWorkActivity |
switch |
shows options to switch to an existing session or start a new one |
new session |
starts a new session |
Several plasma widgets can be launched as windowed applications. You can simply type the name of a widget and KRunner will launch a window for you.
Talk to people
Type in the name of a contact in your KAddressBook to get a list of options to contact them. Typing in an email address into KRunner will open a KMail composer window. You can also search through contacts in your Kopete contact list.
The addressbook and kopete runners don't seem to be working in SC 4.8.
Examples:
Input | Output |
[email protected] |
compose a mail to the KDE mailing list |
myContact |
show options to contact myContact |
Listen to some music
You can control any modern audio player such as Amarok using KRunner. You can use several keywords (all configurable) to play
, pause
or skip songs. Typing in the name of an artist, album or song that is in Amarok's library will let you either play immediately, play next (queue
) or play at the end (append
) of the current playlist. You can use keywords to increase
or decrease
the volume of the player, or even to mute
or quit
it.
Examples:
Input | Output |
play song search |
plays a song immediately |
pause |
pauses Amarok or your designated music player |
next |
plays next song in playlist |
Be on time
You can get the current date or time by typing in the keywords date
or time
. Selecting the result will copy it to your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere. The format of the date and time respects your system settings.
Examples:
Input | Output |
date |
Today's date is ... |
time |
The current time is ... |
You can even get the date and time at another location by specifying the time zone or the city listed in the TZ database.
Examples:
Input | Output |
time UTC |
The current time in UTC is ... |
time oslo |
The current time in Europe/Oslo is ... |
time kolkata |
The current time in Asia/Kolkata is ... |
There is a runner for interfacing with Korganizer and fetching events, but it doesn't seem to be working in SC 4.8.
Calculator
KRunner features a very versatile calculator that can be called by starting or ending a calculation with an =
sign. In addition to basic arithmetic, you can call scientific functions like sqrt()
, sin()
, log()
, etc. A list of the supported functions is here. Note that trigonometric functions like sin()
, cos()
, etc expect the angle in radians. KRunner understands pi
in expressions.
Examples:
Input | Output |
32*12 = |
384 |
= sqrt(4) + 32*sin(30*pi/180) |
18 |
KRunner also supports combinatorics functions, like perm()
or comb()
.
Examples:
Input | Output |
= perm(10,5) |
30240 |
= comb(10,5) |
252 |
KRunner can also handle symbolic mathematics and perform integration and differentiation on expressions
Examples:
Input | Output |
= integrate( -x/y^2, y ) |
-x/y |
diff( log(x) ) = |
1/x |
You can also use KRunner to solve polynomial functions to find its roots.
Examples:
Input | Output |
= solve( x^2 + 4*x - 21 = 0 ) |
[3, -7] |
KRunner intelligently handles units as part of the calculations. Try the following examples to see how.
Examples:
Input | Output |
= 2.5 kg * 10 m/s^2 |
25 N |
220 V / 10 A = |
22 ohms |
Since KRunner understands most units, you can use it to convert them very quickly. Note that unit conversions don't require an =
sign.
Examples:
Input | Output |
30 F |
-1.11111 degrees C (°C), 273.039 K, ... |
27.8 km |
1.09449e+06 inches (in), 17.2742 miles (mi), ... |
5 gallons in liters |
18.9271 liters (l) |
KRunner knows currencies, too. Conversions between currencies is done by fetching the exchange rate from the European Central Bank website.
Examples:
Input | Output |
1 dollar |
0.657002 pounds sterling (GBP), 0.742501 euros (EUR), ... |
125 euros |
110.606 pounds sterling (GBP), 15,785 yen (JPY), ... |
30 JPY in RUB |
9.40731 rubles (RUB) |
Go places
If you have bookmarked locations in the Marble (in OpenStreetMap), KRunner can open the map directly.
Spell checking and special characters
KRunner can tell you whether your spelling is correct and/or suggest corrections. The default keyword to start the spellchecker is spell
and can be configured.
Examples:
Input | Output |
spell linux |
Suggested words: Linux, lynx, ... |
KRunner can also allow you to pick special characters if you can specify the hexadecimal unicode for the character, preceded by a #
sign.
Examples:
Input | Output |
#03b2 |
β |
#00b1 |
± |
Manage your computer
You can directly open system settings control modules from KRunner. Often, if you want to change something, just type associated terms and KRunner will find the control module with the settings you want.
Examples:
Input | Output |
keyboard |
opens the Keyboard settings control module |
fonts |
opens the fonts settings control module |
password |
opens the Password & User account control module |
KRunner can also be used to adjust the screen brightness by using the keywords "screen brightness". You can specify a percentage or just turn the brightness halfway or fully down. Additionally, keywords exist to suspend, logout, shutdown or restart your machine.
Examples:
Input | Output |
screen brightness 100 |
increases screen brightness to 100% |
sleep |
suspends computer to RAM |
lock |
locks the screen |
restart |
restarts computer |
shutdown |
shutdowns computer |
Usage
Open KRunner
The easiest way to open KRunner is to trigger its global shortcut (Alt+Space or Alt+F2, by default). In some activities (e.g. Desktop), you can simply click on the desktop and start typing. In others (e.g. Search and Launch), KRunner may be built into the activity itself.
You can also right-click on your plasma workspace and select krunner
.
Use KRunner
Use Tab/Ctrl+j or Shift+Tab/Ctrl+k to navigate up and down results. Use arrow keys to move between options (if any) in a result. Use Enter (or left click) to select a result.
Discover KRunner
Click on the wrench icon to bring up configuration options where you can enable/disable/configure runners that will process your searches. Additional options are available to change the position on the screen where krunner appears. You can even change the style to a task-oriented interface, if you like.
Clicking on the '?' icon opens a scrollable list that explains the syntax of all the available runners. This is a good way to discover new functionality!
Tips, Tricks and FAQs
You can use KRunner in a special "single runner" mode. While in this mode, KRunner will only have one active runner to process your searches. This feature isn't supported by all runners, but quite a few already do. Open the global keyboard shortcuts control module directly from KRunner and choose the "Run Command Interface" to see what's available. Set a global shortcut for the mode you want and launch KRunner in that mode. You can have as many modes as you can find shortcuts for.
This blog covers some of the advanced usage of the calculator runner.