kbdrate

kbdrate [-d delay] [-r rate] [-s delay_off] [-l] [-t rate_off]

-d delay
    Specifies the initial delay (in milliseconds) before a key starts repeating. Values typically range from 250 to 1000.

-r rate
    Sets the repeat rate (in characters per second) when a key is held down. Common values are between 2 and 30.

-s delay_off
    Set delay_off. The effect of this value is unknown.

-l
    Sets slow rate.

-t rate_off
    Sets rate_off. The effect of this value is unknown.

The kbdrate command allows users to adjust the keyboard repeat rate and delay. The repeat rate controls how quickly a key repeats when held down, while the delay determines how long a key must be pressed before it starts repeating. These settings can significantly affect typing speed and comfort. Proper use of kbdrate can improve the typing experience for users with different preferences and physical capabilities. The command modifies the keyboard's settings directly within the kernel. Be cautious when using extreme values, as they may lead to unintended behavior or input issues.
Different Linux distributions have different methods of setting these defaults, but kbdrate provides a method to alter these settings at runtime.

The changes made by kbdrate are often temporary and might not persist after a reboot. The keyboard repeat settings can be system specific and the user needs permissions to change the settings. Different terminal emulators can also override the repeat settings.

To set a delay of 500ms and a repeat rate of 20 characters per second:
kbdrate -d 500 -r 20

kbdrate has been part of Linux distributions for a long time and has evolved with the kernel's input handling. Initially, it was a simpler utility to control a basic keyboard's settings. Over time, input methods have become more advanced, with GUI-based configuration tools offering more granular control. Even with modern alternatives, kbdrate remains a useful command-line tool for quickly adjusting keyboard behavior.

xset(1), setxkbmap(1)