Spotlight Alternative in Linux KDE

If you’ve recently switched from macOS to Linux, one of the first things you might miss is Spotlight Search, that quick keyboard launcher to open apps, find files, and do conversions in a flash. But did you know that KDE Plasma, one of the most advanced desktop environments on Linux, has a built-in tool that’s just as powerful (and even more customizable)?

What Is KRunner (Plasma Search)?

KRunner is a versatile and extensible command launcher that comes with KDE Plasma. It looks minimal at first glance, but under the hood, it’s packed with power.

With KRunner, you can:

• Launch applications instantly
• Search for files and folders
• Perform quick calculations
• Convert units and currencies
• Control media players
• Run shell commands
• Connect via SSH
• Look up dictionary definitions
• Search browser bookmarks or history
• And so much more

How to Launch KRunner (Like Spotlight)?

To open KRunner, simply press:

Alt + Space

This shortcut opens a small input bar at the top of your screen — just like Spotlight.

Alternatively, you can also press :

Alt + F2

or type “KRunner” in your application launcher if the shortcut has been changed.

Why KRunner Might Be Better Than Spotlight?

While Spotlight on macOS is clean and useful, it’s limited compared to what KRunner offers. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Spotlight (macOS)	KRunner (KDE Plasma)
Launch apps	✅	✅
File search	✅	✅
Custom plugins	❌	✅
Command-line execution	❌	✅
Unit & currency conversion	✅	✅
Music player integration	❌	✅
Web shortcuts & SSH	❌	✅

KRunner supports plugins for nearly everything — and you can enable/disable them at will.

Customizing KRunner

One of the strengths of KRunner is how easy it is to tailor it to your workflow.

To manage KRunner plugins:

1. Go to System Settings
2. Navigate to Workspace Behavior > KRunner
3. Enable or disable the features you want — such as calculator, dictionary, file search, browser history, or even weather

There are also community plugins available that let you extend it even further.

Power User Tips for KRunner

Here are some lesser-known tricks to get the most out of KRunner:

• Start with = to do quick math:
  Example: =sqrt(144) will return 12
• Type a URL directly to open it:
  Example: https://github.com
• Use it as a command-line runner:
  Type ping google.com or shutdown now
• Control media playback:
  Commands like pause, next, volume up can control your media player
• Use keywords like define, convert, or search if you have plugins enabled

Author:
John Anders is a full-stack developer and Linux enthusiast from Portland, Oregon. He writes about productivity, open source tools, and the KDE ecosystem. When he’s not coding, you’ll find him trail running or building custom Linux setups for fun.