Cygwin/X User's Guide
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# Input internationalization

## Compose key ('Multi_key')

The compose key is a dead key which introduces a multi-key sequence to generate a character.

You can configure the compose key by using setxkbmap e.g. `setxkbmap -option compose:rctrl` or starting the X server with the `-xkboptions` option, e.g. `X -xkboptions compose:ralt`. The possibilities for the compose key, e.g. ralt, lwin, rwin, menu, lctrl, rctrl, caps, etc. are listed in the xkeyboard-config(7) man page.

Alternatively, the option `lv3:ralt_switch_multikey` configures Right Alt as 3rd-level shift, Shift + Right Alt [1] as Compose. Note that this option is on by default in the gb layout.

The standard compose key sequences available are determined by the locale. Refer to the compose key sequence charts for the available compose key sequences for each locale. Note that most locales using a Microsoft codepage character set (e.g. with a LANG environment variable of the form `LL_CC`.CP`nnn`) are not currently recognized by Xlib.

See the Compose(5) man page for more details on how the locale is mapped to a compose key sequence file and how to configure custom compose key sequences.

## Input Method Editors (IMEs)

If an IME is configured, it should be started as part of a remote session (See the Section called Remote sessions via XDMCP).

To use an IME with remote clients started from a command line (See the Section called Displaying remote clients), the IME must be started explicitly, e.g.

### Starting the ibus IME

After configuring ibus with ibus-setup, start the ibus daemon

        $ ibus-daemon -drx

and set XMODIFIERS so XIM clients will use ibus

        $ export XMODIFIERS="@im=ibus"

### Starting other IMEs

Similarly for fcitx, gcim, iiimf, scim, uim, etc.

### Notes

[1] | pressing the keys in that order. Right Alt + Shift is 4th-level shift.

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