Spectacle app alternative for Ubuntu

On Mac I have been using the Spectacle app for moving and resizing windows with simple, customizable keyboard shortcuts. It's very cool.

What similar application can I use for Ubuntu?

Solution 1:

This answer assumes you're using Unity as your Desktop Environment.

From this answer:

Window Placement

If you cycle through the same key Unity will cycle through different placement widths, so experiment by hitting the numkey multiple times, for example Ctrl-Alt-numpad 5 5 5:

Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 7 - Place window in top left corner of screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 8 - Place window in top half of screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 9 - Place window in top right corner of screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 5 - Center/Maximize the window in the middle of the screen. In 12.04 this toggles between maximize and restore state
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 1 - Place window in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 2 - Place window in the bottom half of the screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 3 - Place window in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Ctrl-Alt-Numpad 0 - Minimize the current window (Ubuntu 12.04.1).

Solution 2:

For a spectacle-like experience on vanilla Ubuntu (zesty tested):

Move window to left: ctrl+super+←
Move window to right: ctrl+super+→
Maximize window: ctrl+super+↑
Minimize window: ctrl+super+↓

On Kubuntu you need to configure the system, go to: System Settings - Shortcut - Global Shortcuts - Kwin:

Maximaze Window: ctrl+meta+f
Quick tile window to the bottom: ctrl+meta+↓
Quick tile window to the left:ctrl+meta+←
Quick tile window to the right: ctrl+meta+→
Quick tile window to the top: ctrl+meta+↑

Solution 3:

There are more answers here: https://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/74/tiling-window-manager-functionality-for-normal-linux-desktop-environments . They have the advantage of not being dependent on a particular desktop environment, window manager or even distribution.

From that answer, my favorite is Quicktile, which is very easy to run without even root permission. Plus it works with several screens and is versatile.

From that answer, I quickly tested X-Tile. It is IMHO more complicated and a quick test shows that it operates only on first screen of a multi-screen setup.

Solution 4:

Actually, Ubuntu comes with premade shortcuts for resizing, moving, etc.:

Window shortcuts

Alt + Tab

Switch between currently-open windows. Press Alt + Tab and then release Tab (but continue to hold Alt). Press Tab repeatedly to cycle through the list of available windows which appears on the screen. Release the Alt key to switch to the selected window.

Ctrl + Alt + Tab

Switch between currently-open windows in all Workspaces. Press Tab repeatedly to cycle through the list of available windows which appears on the screen. Release the Ctrl and Alt keys to switch to the selected window.

Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right Cursor

Lets you quickly switch between your Workspaces.

These might not work on every machine, but are reasonably common:

Alt+F7

Moves the current window (can be moved with mouse or leopard).

Alt+F8

Resizes current window (again, can be moved with mouse or leopard).

Alt+F9

Minimises current window.

Alt+F10

Maximises current window.

Alt+Spaaaaaace

Brings up window menu with with 'Always on Top' and 'Minimise' and 'Maximise' and above commands.

These might change depending on the application you're using, but work for most common applications:

Alt+F5

Returns window to 'normal' or previous size.

Alt+F4

Closes window.