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Maik-0000FF
Maik-0000FF

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I built a PowerToys Quick Accent alternative for Linux

Three years ago I switched from Windows to Arch Linux. The one Windows feature I actually missed was PowerToys Quick Accent — hold a letter, tap space, get the accent.

The Linux alternatives didn't fit. I touch type, so anything that breaks rhythm hurts:

  • Compose key — three keystrokes per character. Slow.
  • Dead keys — require a keyboard layout change.
  • Clipboard-based tools — overwrite the clipboard. Dead on arrival if you copy code.

So I built schnelle-umlaute — a Fcitx5 input method addon. Hold + space, get the accent. Any Unicode character is mappable. Native X11 and Wayland, no clipboard interference.

Available on the AUR, source install for other distros — setup in the README.

Feedback welcome.

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