AreaClick - screen edge/corner command launcher

Getting Started Mabox Tools
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Originally published at: AreaClick - screen edge/corner command launcher

Areaclick allows you to run commands by clicking on the edge or corner of the screen.

There are 8 areas available: 4 corners and 4 edges of the screen. You can configure your own commands for all 8 areas.

Additionally, you can invoke the configured commands using keyboard shortcuts by pressing W-a(Super + Alt) + 1..9 (the number on the numpad).

Commands assigned by default

Click Area Keybind Action Notes
TopLeft W-A-7 toggle ShowDesktop also W-d
Top W-A-8 Windows & Desktops menu also W-Leftclick on desktop
TopRight W-A-9 Music menu W-m
Left W-A-4 Left Sidepanel also C-W-Left
Right W-A-6 Right Sidepanel also C-W-Right
BottomLeft W-A-1 Window Switch also W-Tab
Bottom W-A-2 Desktop Switch also W-~(tilda)
BottomRight W-A-3 Logout Menu also W-x

Customization

To configure AreaClick behavior, invoke Windows & Desktops menu C-W-d -> AreaClick…
Also available via W-LeftClick on desktop.
Here you can set:

  • the size of the clickable area
  • the margin of the Openbox Window Manager

You can also change the commands/programs that are launched by editing the configuration file (Edit areaclick.conf).

For example… to show/hide the terminal when clicking the top edge of the screen, edit the line: cmd_top=


cmd_top="mabox-terminal"

Now, clicking the top edge will alternately show or hide the terminal. (Same action as already assigned to: F12 or mouse wheel on the terminal icon in the panel.)

Mabox is often installed on aging laptops/PCs intended for non-technical users. Such unusual features can be intimidating for these users, so…

How to disable AreaClick actions?

To disable AreaClick, simply set the click area size to 0. You can also set the Openbox window manager margins to zero – by default they are set to 2 px to prevent windows from covering the edges of the screen.

Note!
Even when you disable mouse actions, you can still use keyboard shortcuts… to run configured commands. W-A-1..9

This post is the first in an upcoming series about Mabox’s unique features and tools.

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I have everything updated, but still have the Superclick feature…
It’s true that I customize my kbd shortcuts, and other things, but I suppose this new tool is an script by its own, is that right?

Mabox_20260502-13-26-39
Mabox_20260502-13-26-391920Ă—1080 374 KB

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Superclick and AreaClick are two completely different features. You can learn SuperClick using the helpers available in the left side panel. You can read more about AreaClick on the blog →AreaClick - screen edge/corner command launcher

If you want to use the new features on an older installation, you’ll need to set it up yourself, taking advantage of the fact that I provide updated versions of the files, such as rc.xml. The mb-reset script may also be helpful.

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Yes, I’m aware of mb-reset and how to configure rc.xml. And, yes. It’s an old installation ;D

What I was trying to ask (unfortunately, not in a wise mode) is the name of the script to run AreaClick, and try it with my own keybinding ;D

It is not in /usr/bin under any mb- or mabox- filename…

Finally I figured it out: simple as /usr/bin/areaclick

I’m sorry. I cannot figure out where do you have the updated versions of the files, such as rc.xml. Just curious, not because of I need it.

And let me congratulate you and the rest of the team! The Keyboard Shortcuts listing is precisely useful because it does not show the stock keybindings, but the actual shortcuts that I have! Thanks a lot!

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/usr/share/mabox/common/rc.xml
and:

mb-reset -c obrcxml

Is super handy way to compare this file with your currently used rc.xml. You can also very easily make individual changes - the ones that suit you.

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