Fbkeyboard
![]() fbkeyboard interface | |
Name | fbkeyboard |
---|---|
Graphics stack | Framebuffer only |
Toolkit | none |
In postmarketOS | |
Package | postmarketos-ui-fbkeyboard |
Status | Available |
A simple interface that provides touch-capable keyboard on top of standard linux terminal, that runs in the framebuffer. Useful when you need minimal image for device testing, that can be interacted with using touchscreen in case of other methods (like SSH over USB) don't work, or when regular graphical interfaces don't work.
Input is emulated using uinput module - a new virtual keyboard-like input device is created when fbkeyboard is started, which is used to emit keys when specific screen areas are touched. Lower third of the screen is reserved to draw the keyboard layout, and at the same time tty vertical size is limited to 2/3 of its original.
Unique features
This interface has some unique features that make it superior compared to other "framebuffer keyboard" interfaces: touch shortcuts for arrow navigation, Home/End, Enter, PageUp/PageDown keys.

Screen space above keyboard is split into 9 zones, inside 3x3 rects. If you touch screen center, Enter key will be sent; center up - Up key, and so on (see picture on the left). Thanks to these shortcuts you don't have to switch to "special" layout with extra keys, and you can use keyboard very quickly and effectively - like, quickly move cursor, repeat last command, even on mobile phone. Tab key which is often used, is also very easily accessible.
This feature set makes fbkeyboard the most convenient UI among this type.
Links
- Source code: https://github.com/bakonyiferenc/fbkeyboard/