Three years ago I switched from Windows to Arch Linux. The one Windows feature I actually missed was PowerToys Quick Accent β 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 β three keystrokes per character. Slow.
- Dead keys β require a keyboard layout change.
- Clipboard-based tools β overwrite the clipboard. Dead on arrival if you copy code.
So I built schnelle-umlaute β 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 β setup in the README.
Feedback welcome.
