Ulauncher doesn't get focus when started manually if already running

[leinardi]

Steps to reproduce:
Make sure that Ulauncher is already running (icon indicator present) and start Ulauncher manually, either executing ulauncher form a virtual terminal or creating a DE shortcut that executes ulauncher.

Ulauncher version: 4.0.6.r1
Linux distro: Ubuntu 17.10
Desktop environment: Gnome Shell (xorg)

Logs:

first start: https://gist.github.com/leinardi/4b8d55a625dcc257f5e3a2191c26333e
restart: https://gist.github.com/leinardi/e1987cf8c05c3a495f1895f6594c4bf3

I am trying to use the Super+Space shortcut to start Ulauncher. Since that shortcut doesn't seems to work when set directly in Ulauncher, I am creating a Gnome Shell shortcut to start Ulauncher manually when pressing Super+Space.
The problem is that, if Ulauncher was already started (the indicator icon is already inside the appindicator bar) the app starts but it has no focus, this means that I cannot type in it if I first don't select it with the mouse.

Please provide a way to (re)open Ulauncher directly form command line giving directly the focus to the main window so that DE shortcuts can be easily created.

[leinardi]

I just find out that the workaround for Wayland hotkey works also for me, but I just want to clarify that I am NOT using Wayland (since I game I cannot use it).

I also had to add the sleep delay to get it to work, the stock ulauncher-toggle was not enough.

[gornostal]

Hi

Since that shortcut doesn't seems to work when set directly in Ulauncher

What do you mean it doesn't work? That's a bug then. Let's fix it

[gornostal]

Yes, workaround for Wayland will work in your case.
But ulauncher should hotkey should work without any issues in Ubuntu 17.10

[leinardi]

Hey thanks for the answer, unfortunately you had already another issue open for this Super+Space and last time you found out that is not possible to use it since is reserved by the DE: https://github.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/issues/190#issuecomment-357590491

But if you are willing to try again, I am happy to help as much as I can, just tell me what should I do.

[gornostal]

Oh, Super+Space. I misread, thought you mean Ctrl+Space.
Well then Wayland approach should work for you.

[leinardi]

Yep, but I just noticed something really weird: the Super+Space hotkey configured directly in Ulauncher works if I press it twice! Any idea why?

The interesting thing is that the first time I press it, is not handled and the Space key event is sent to the app with the focus (eg. Chrome), but if I press it again, it is correctly opened.

[gornostal]

No idea, really.

[arr0n]

I have had this issue before (needing to preform the shortcut twice) when using super+space with other launchers (maybe this one too but can't remember), can i ask if in your ubuntu keyboard shortcuts if 'Switch to next input source' is still set to super+space?

[arr0n]

also the fix for focus grabbing worked for me too, editing ulauncher-toggle and putting a sleep in ( sleep 0.01 && wmctrl -a "Ulauncher window title" ) and relaunching ulauncher

[leinardi]

Hi @arr0n, no I changed "Switch to next input source" to a different shortcut.

[molguin92]

Hi! Sorry for necroing this thread, but I found a workaround to this issue.

The problem lies with the /org/gnome/mutter/overlay-key dconf key, which determines the key bound to launch the overview in Gnome Shell and is set to Super_L by default. This is in addition to the default binding of Super+S set in the Keyboard Shortcut settings.
Changing this key to something else (I set it to the right Super key, Super_R) allows the use of the left Super key for launching ULauncher. I've done this for some time now without any adverse effects, and I can still access Gnome Shell's overview through the use of Super + S.

[gabrieldrs]

Hey, sorry again for bringing this up, but this is one of the first results on google about this issue and @molguin92 solution is not applicable to Ubuntu 19.04.

In order to change the shortcut now you have to install gnome-tweak-tool. Inside it, go to Keyboard & Mouse and there's an option to change the Overview Shortcut to the Right Super.

This indeed fixes the Super + space shortcut problem with ulauncher in gnome.