Add the ability to scroll between Virtual Desktops when overview keyboard shortcut is pressed

abdallah-hammad-dev · September 13, 2026, 3:40pm

Hello,

I switch between VD’s on my laptop using the gestures, but when docked i really would like to be able to scroll between VD’s without fully opening the overview first, would be cool if the current shortcut mapped to the overview (by default it is Meta + W i believe, i mapped to Meta personally) when pressed without it being released + scroll wheel would change to the next/precedent VD.
Exactly like when the mouse is on the pager, scrolling between VD’s works

amilias · September 13, 2026, 4:45pm

I’m always for more options to set hotkeys, but I feel a specific feature like this would be pretty low on the priority list.

Until then, let me suggest InputActions: InputActions · GitHub
which registers as a Desktop Effect and allows many complex hotkeys or gestures to be set.
Here’s an example config for your use case:

mouse:
  gestures:
    - type: wheel
      direction: up_down
      conditions: $keyboard_modifiers == meta
      actions:
        - on: update
          interval: '+'
          command: qdbus org.kde.KWin /KWin previousDesktop
        - on: update
          interval: '-'
          command: qdbus org.kde.KWin /KWin nextDesktop

skyfishgoo · September 13, 2026, 4:59pm

there are so many ways already to change workspaces, it hardly seems necessary for a new one.

i have my mouse scroll wheel set to change VD when scrolling on the desktop under Configure Desktop, Mouse Actions… its fast, easy and intuitive

but there is also the pager widget with it’s own shortcut

in addition to overview there are other kwin desktop effects under window management you can use, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and peculiarities.

abdallah-hammad-dev · September 14, 2026, 9:42am

I understand, but it is more of a behavior change rather than a new hot key, open overview already have it toggle, scrolling between VD’s use the scroll whell, i am just proposing that when they are pressed + scroll the VD change like if you opened the overview

skyfishgoo · September 14, 2026, 4:27pm

what i suggest is a coupling connection between the Configure Desktop > Mouse Actions setting for vertical scroll actions and the Overview effect so that while in overview the mouse scrolling works the same as if you were on the desktop.

That should be easiest to implement since there is already a setting for it and there could even be a toggle to decouple it in the configuration of the Overview effect for those that didn’t want it there.