---
name: "setmetamode"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "kbd"
version: "2.10.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/setmetamode"
---

# setmetamode(1)

define the keyboard meta key handling

## NAME

setmetamode - define the keyboard meta key handling

## SYNOPSIS

**setmetamode** \[ *options* \] \[ *argument* \]

## DESCRIPTION

Without argument, **setmetamode** prints the current Meta key mode. With argument, it sets the Meta key mode as indicated. The setting before and after the change are reported.

The Meta key mode is specific for each VT (and the VT corresponding to stdin is used). One might use **setmetamode** in /etc/rc to define the initial state of the Meta key mode, e.g. by

INITTY=/dev/tty\[1-8\]\
 for tty in $INITTY; do\
 setmetamode escprefix \< $tty\
 done

## ARGUMENTS

- **esc**, **prefix**, **escprefix**

  The Meta key sends an Escape prefix.

- **meta**, **bit**, **metabit**

  The Meta key sets the high order bit of the character.

## OPTIONS

- **-C**, **--console**=*DEV*

  the console device to be used.

- **-V**, **--version**

  print version number.

- **-h**, **--help**

  print this usage message.

## AUTHORS

Andries Brouwer \<aeb@cwi.nl\>

## SEE ALSO

[**loadkeys**(1)](/loadkeys/1.md), [**kbdinfo**(1)](/kbdinfo/1.md)