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How can I create a script that automatically switches windows? I'm trying to do the same thing Alt+Tab does.

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2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

Sounds like you're looking for wmctrl - see here for more examples.

Edit: Your window manager/desktop environment has to be standards compliant (EWMH). And here are more examples.

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Nice! I'll read a bit more about that. Thx. –  GarouDan Oct 18 '11 at 13:48
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In cases where sr_'s solution does not work, you can also try xautomation. One of the tools included in that package is xte (see manpage) - it simulates keystrokes, mouse movement and more. Here's how you can use it to simulate Alt+Tab:

xte "keydown Alt_L" "key Tab" "keyup Alt_L"
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Thx a lot @rozcietrzewiacz. wmctrl worked fine. But looks like xautomation can't manipulate windows...can it? manpage In your link xautomation I didn't find no documenation... =/ –  GarouDan Oct 18 '11 at 14:44
It can manipulate virtually anything that you can, when you see the screen - just use one of the shipped programs. See my updated answer about Alt+Tab. –  rozcietrzewiacz Oct 18 '11 at 16:40
Thx so much @rozcietrzewiacz, really very powerfull this. I was needing a way to keep Shift pressed and this works perfectly! Thx. –  GarouDan Oct 18 '11 at 20:00
is possible simulate F5 key by xte? Didn't find anything in xte or google yet. This is another question that I did. –  GarouDan Oct 31 '11 at 11:54
@GarouDan Didn't you try? xte "key F5" works perfectly for me. –  rozcietrzewiacz Oct 31 '11 at 12:04
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