I should use weird characters on my passwords. Especially weird characters that look like normal characters. Then I can learn off the compose key sequences and instead of a password manager I can write down all of the passwords on paper and laminate them and stick them to my monitor.
These work in both X and Wayland, even though they are an X feature. X/Wayland will consult the standard file, but will also consult a file ~/.XCompose. A number of people have created files with extended compose sequences, of which https://github.com/kragen/xcompose is possibly the best-known. If you install or change ~/.XCompose, you must restart your session (log out and back in again) for it to be recognized.
I used to bind the Compose key to Caps Lock, but I've recently decided that Right Alt is a better choice.
Another commenter mentioned WinCompose, which I have used very successfully with Windows 11. On a Mac, you might try https://github.com/Granitosaurus/macos-compose, which is quite usable, provided you install Karabiner Elements for the remapping.
VT220 terminals used to have an explicit "compose character" key - afaik it was handled in the terminal firmware, so not necessarily an OS thing at all if we're being picky.
I should use weird characters on my passwords. Especially weird characters that look like normal characters. Then I can learn off the compose key sequences and instead of a password manager I can write down all of the passwords on paper and laminate them and stick them to my monitor.
I will not actually do this
These work in both X and Wayland, even though they are an X feature. X/Wayland will consult the standard file, but will also consult a file ~/.XCompose. A number of people have created files with extended compose sequences, of which https://github.com/kragen/xcompose is possibly the best-known. If you install or change ~/.XCompose, you must restart your session (log out and back in again) for it to be recognized.
I used to bind the Compose key to Caps Lock, but I've recently decided that Right Alt is a better choice.
Another commenter mentioned WinCompose, which I have used very successfully with Windows 11. On a Mac, you might try https://github.com/Granitosaurus/macos-compose, which is quite usable, provided you install Karabiner Elements for the remapping.
A couple more fun ones:
Compose: LLAP = "emoji doing the vulcan salute"
Compose: FU = "middle finger emoji"
Compose: <3 = ♥
You can also type music notes using Compose: # + QeEsf or #: ♩♪♫♬♮♯
Source: https://www.x.org/releases/current/doc/libX11/i18n/compose/e...
edit: minor formatting and describing emojis since they don't seem to be allowed
For Windows users, I recommend WinCompose: https://github.com/samhocevar/wincompose
I use the Insert key, which would otherwise have no function.
I wish I could have a compose key on android
https://github.com/roadkell/xcompose#android
Tell me whether this works for you.
This has nothing to do with Linux. You can't type any of these at the Linux console.
VT220 terminals used to have an explicit "compose character" key - afaik it was handled in the terminal firmware, so not necessarily an OS thing at all if we're being picky.
Upvoted for positive pedantry though :)
Yes, it's a feature of X. The full list is in `/usr/share/X11/locale/*/Compose`, and people who are interested in this should peruse and install <https://github.com/rrthomas/pointless-xcompose> or perhaps <https://github.com/kragen/xcompose>.
> ₫ "d-" DONG SIGN
Heh heh. He said "dong". Heh heh.