xkbcomp

Compile keymap for current display

$ xkbcomp [keymap.xkb] $DISPLAY

$ xkbcomp $DISPLAY [output.xkb]

$ xkbcomp -xkm [keymap.xkb] -o [keymap.xkm]

$ xkbcomp -C [keymap.xkb] -o [keymap.h]

$ xkbcomp -I[/usr/share/X11/xkb] [keymap.xkb] $DISPLAY

$ xkbcomp -v 10 [keymap.xkb] $DISPLAY

xkbcomp [options] source [destination]

xkbcomp compiles XKB (X Keyboard Extension) keyboard descriptions into binary format or uploads them directly to an X server. It's the core tool for customizing keyboard layouts beyond what setxkbmap provides.
The tool can extract the current keymap from a running X server, modify it, and upload changes. Output formats include XKB source (.xkb), compiled binary (.xkm), and C headers for embedding in applications.
XKB provides advanced keyboard features including multiple layouts, dead keys, compose sequences, modifier handling, and accessibility options that simpler tools like xmodmap cannot achieve.

-xkb

Output XKB source format.

Output compiled binary format.

Output C header file.

Add directory to include search path.

Specify output file name.

Set verbosity level (0-10).

Set warning level.

Compute defaults for missing components.

Complex syntax requires understanding XKB architecture. Without $DISPLAY, only creates files without loading. Errors can leave keyboard in unusable state; keep backup layout accessible.

xkbcomp is part of the X Keyboard Extension (XKB), introduced in X11R6 to replace the limited keyboard handling of earlier X versions. XKB provides a comprehensive framework for keyboard configuration that supports internationalization and accessibility features.

setxkbmap(1), xkbevd(1), xmodmap(1), xev(1)