Emulate mouse using keyboard

As I wrote in a previous post, I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse to use the computer from about 3 meters away. However, the mouse is not working.

While the combination of the window manager Awesome and the predominant use of command-line programs almost allow me to not need a cursor, some programs and web pages are not very friendly to someone without a mouse.

Until I buy another mouse, my temporary solution was to configure the numeric keypad to control the pointer movement, simulate the scroll wheel, and the buttons.

1. Download xdotool

   julio@julio-acer ~> sudo pacman -S xdotool
   

2. Add the following lines to ~/.xbindkeysrc

   # Move to northwest (top-left)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative -- -10 -10"
   KP_Home
   
   # Move to north (up)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative 0 -10"
   KP_Up
   
   # Move to northeast (top-right)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative 10 -10"
   KP_Prior
   
   # Move to west (left)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative -- -10 0"
   KP_Left
   
   # Move to east (right)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative 10 0"
   KP_Right
   
   # Move to southwest (bottom-left)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative -- -10 10"
   KP_End
   
   # Move to south (down)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative 0 10"
   KP_Down
   
   # Move to southeast (bottom-right)
   "xdotool mousemove_relative 10 10"
   KP_Next
   
   # Left click
   "xdotool click 1"
   KP_Insert
   
   # Middle click
   "xdotool click 2"
   KP_Delete
   
   # Right click
   "xdotool click 3"
   KP_Enter
   
   # Scroll up
   "xdotool click 4"
   KP_Subtract
   
   # Scroll down
   "xdotool click 5"
   KP_Add
   

Modify the keys according to the output of xev and you’re all set! I managed to simulate the basic functions of the mouse using the keyboard.