CtrlAltF6

CtrlAltF6 is a keyboard shortcut commonly used in Unix-like operating systems, including Linux distributions and macOS. The combination consists of pressing the Control (Ctrl), Alt (or Option on macOS), and the number 6 key simultaneously. This shortcut is primarily associated with terminal management in virtual console environments.

In Linux systems, the Ctrl+Alt+F1 through Ctrl+Alt+F6 keys (and sometimes F7–F12) are used to switch between different virtual terminals or text consoles. These virtual consoles operate independently of the graphical user interface (GUI) and are often used for system administration, troubleshooting, or accessing services that require a command-line interface. By default, Ctrl+Alt+F1–F5 typically correspond to the first five virtual consoles, while Ctrl+Alt+F6 is often reserved for the sixth virtual console, though this can vary depending on the distribution or configuration.

On macOS, the Ctrl+Alt+F6 shortcut is not natively assigned to any function in the standard terminal setup. However, it may be used in specific applications or terminal emulators for custom commands or shortcuts, depending on user configuration. Some third-party terminal applications or terminal multiplexers (like tmux or screen) may also utilize this combination for specific actions, such as splitting panes or switching sessions.

The Ctrl+Alt+F6 shortcut is not widely documented in modern GUI-centric operating systems, as many users rely on graphical terminal emulators (e.g., GNOME Terminal, Konsole, or iTerm2) rather than virtual consoles. However, understanding this shortcut can be useful for system administrators or users who need to access or manage the underlying terminal environment directly.