The Modern Linux Desktop Ecosystem
Linux Input Stack Engineering
Input on Linux flows from kernel evdev events through libinput and into the compositor. Each layer can change behavior, which is why touchpad tuning sometimes appears to do nothing. Effective configuration means knowing which layer owns the setting and testing with real hardware.
Points clés
- Identify whether a setting belongs to the kernel, libinput, or the compositor before changing it.
- Use libinput list-devices and debug-events to see what the hardware actually reports.
- Tune tap, scroll, and acceleration per device rather than through global defaults.
- Create custom key layouts with xkb and load them explicitly.
- Test gestures under Wayland, where compositor support varies.
- Avoid userspace daemons that replay events when a native setting exists.
- Keep a text-based recovery path in case an input configuration locks you out.
- Document hardware-specific quirks so replacements can be configured quickly.
Questions fréquentes
Why does my touchpad setting reset?
The compositor or a session daemon may override libinput at login.
Can I remap keys at the kernel level?
Yes with evdev and udev rules, though it is harder to maintain than an xkb layout.
Do gestures work everywhere?
Support depends on the compositor and the touchpad's reported capabilities.
How do I debug a dead keyboard?
Use a serial console or SSH and inspect libinput and kernel logs before rebooting.
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