KDE Plasma / keyboard field guide

Move through Plasma
without touching the mouse.

The everyday shortcuts worth building into muscle memory. Press Meta (the Super/Windows key) for most Plasma-wide actions.

QUICK STARTLearn one: Meta to open the launcher, type the app or action, then press Enter. It is the fastest route to almost anything.

Start & search

Open apps, commands, and system search.

Open Application LauncherMeta
Open KRunnerAlt+SpaceRun apps, commands, calculations, and search.
Open OverviewMeta+WSee windows and virtual desktops together.
Open Clipboard HistoryMeta+VPick a previous copied item.

Windows

Place, switch, and control the active window.

Switch windowsAlt+TabKeep holding Alt; tap Tab to cycle.
Close current windowAlt+F4
Maximize / restoreMeta+PgUp
Minimize windowMeta+PgDown
Tile leftMeta+Left
Tile rightMeta+Right
Move window with keysAlt+F3, then MArrow keys move; Enter confirms.
Resize window with keysAlt+F3, then SArrow keys resize; Enter confirms.

Desktops & screens

Use space as another keyboard layer.

Next / previous virtual desktopMeta+Ctrl+Right / Left
Send focused window to next / previous desktopMeta+Ctrl+Shift+Right / Left / Up / DownVerified on NebulaBlack. The direct “Window to Desktop 1–4” actions are currently unassigned.
Move focus between screensMeta+Alt+Left / RightMay vary with your window-manager shortcut setup.
Lock the screenMeta+L

Capture & recover

Useful when something goes sideways.

Capture a rectangular regionMeta+Shift+Print
Capture full screenPrint
Capture active windowAlt+Print
Open System MonitorCtrl+EscFind, inspect, or end a stuck process.

Make it yours

Plasma lets you remap almost all of these: System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts. Search “Shortcuts,” select an action, then assign a combination that does not conflict with your apps.