AutoKey
AutoKey is a free desktop automation utility for Linux using the X11/Xorg desktop.
What AutoKey is
AutoKey is a free desktop automation utility for Linux using the X11/Xorg desktop. Hotkeys and typed abbreviations can trigger scripts, insert phrases, or display a pop-up menu. Phrases can expand into commonly used text and include key combinations or special characters. Scripts are small Python programs with AutoKey-specific API functions; they can start programs, send commands to a running window, resize windows, and reposition the cursor. The keyboard API can send multiple keys together or in sequence, and the documentation recommends using the clipboard to enter generated text when possible. AutoKey has GTK and Qt interfaces for different desktop environments, and its phrases and scripts can be used across applications. Installation options include Debian packages, Arch or Gentoo packages, pip, and a cloned repository. It runs on Python 3 and uses the GNU GPL version 3 license. AutoKey will not function correctly under Wayland instead of Xorg. Abbreviations are limited to the last 150 typed keys, and applications built with pure X11 toolkits generally ignore its synthetic events. The documentation also notes keyboard-layout problems with Russian, Mandarin, and Japanese.
Good
- Hotkeys and abbreviations can trigger scripts or phrases.
- Offers GTK and Qt interfaces.
- Scripts can control windows and start programs.
- Free software under GNU GPL version 3.
Watch out
- Does not function correctly under Wayland.
- Abbreviations are limited to 150 typed keys.
- Pure X11 toolkit applications generally ignore synthetic events.
- Documentation notes some keyboard-layout problems.
Who it suits
AutoKey suits Linux users on X11/Xorg who want text expansion, hotkeys, or Python-based desktop automation. It can support writing, documentation, programming, and form filling.
Verdict
AutoKey combines text expansion and desktop scripting for Linux users on X11. Its Wayland incompatibility and application-event limitations make desktop compatibility central to the choice.
Plans and prices
From AutoKey's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| AutoKey | Free | GPL v3 · Linux and X11 desktop utility |
The facts
Each one read from AutoKey's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App coverage
- The documentation says phrases, scripts, and abbreviations can be used across applications.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Application limitation
- Applications written with the pure X11 toolkit generally ignore AutoKey's synthetic events.checked 2 Oct 2026
- App-specific snippets
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Supported platforms
- Linux (X11/Xorg desktop)checked 24 Sep 2026
What it does
- Clipboard method
- The documentation recommends placing emitted text in the clipboard and pasting it with keyboard.send_keys() when possible.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Compatibility caution
- The installation guide warns that upgrades may change script or phrase configuration in ways that are not backwards-compatible.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Desktop interfaces
- AutoKey offers a GTK version for GTK-based desktop environments and a Qt version for Qt-based desktop environments.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The maker documents installation through package managers or pip, with packages described for Debian derivatives, Arch, and Gentoo.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Dynamic fields
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- GUI frontends
- AutoKey provides GTK and Qt frontends for different desktop environments.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Input limit
- AutoKey stores up to the last 150 typed keys, limiting abbreviations to 150 characters.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Installation methods
- AutoKey can be installed from Debian packages, Arch User Repository packages, Gentoo GURU, pip, or a cloned repository.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Keyboard API
- The keyboard.send_keys() API accepts multiple keys and can press combinations simultaneously or sequentially.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Keyboard layouts
- The documentation says the core communicates with X through keyboard events and notes known problems with Russian, Mandarin, and Japanese languages.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License
- AutoKey uses the GNU GPL version 3 license.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Phrase key combinations
- Phrases can contain key combinations and AutoKey macros for special keys and characters.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- AutoKey is a desktop automation utility for Linux and X11.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Python scripting
- AutoKey scripts accept most Python code and include custom API functions.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- The current AutoKey implementation runs on Python 3.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- AutoKey scripts are small Python programs that can start programs, send commands to a running window, resize windows, and reposition the cursor.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs support requests to its community channels and asks users not to request support on the issue tracker.checked 2 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The installation documentation lists Python 3.7, dbus-python, pyinotify, python-xlib, and wmctrl among the dependencies.checked 2 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
The company
- Team snippet sharing
- Nochecked 24 Sep 2026
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