diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8169076..1d36007 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,8 +29,15 @@ systemctl --user enable --now ydotool     # needed for auto-paste
 dikte                        # the settings window opens on first run
 ```
 
-`install.sh` adds the `dikte` command, a menu entry, an autostart entry and the
-KDE shortcut.
+On Ubuntu/GNOME X11, recording uses PulseAudio and clipboard/paste use the X11
+tools instead:
+
+```sh
+sudo apt install pulseaudio-utils xclip xdotool ffmpeg
+```
+
+`install.sh` adds the `dikte` command, a menu entry and an autostart entry. The
+settings window installs a GNOME or KDE global shortcut.
 
 Two keys go in the settings window: **OpenAI** and **OpenRouter**. Speech to text
 runs on either one (`gpt-4o-transcribe` by default), cleanup always on
diff --git a/README.tr.md b/README.tr.md
index de751b0..b6d3917 100644
--- a/README.tr.md
+++ b/README.tr.md
@@ -29,8 +29,15 @@ systemctl --user enable --now ydotool     # otomatik yapıştırma için
 dikte                        # ilk açılışta ayarlar penceresi gelir
 ```
 
-`install.sh` `dikte` komutunu, menü girdisini, oturum açılışında otomatik
-başlatmayı ve KDE kısayolunu kurar.
+Ubuntu/GNOME X11 için kayıt PulseAudio üzerinden, pano ve yapıştırma ise X11
+araçlarıyla çalışır:
+
+```sh
+sudo apt install pulseaudio-utils xclip xdotool ffmpeg
+```
+
+`install.sh` `dikte` komutunu, menü girdisini ve oturum açılışında otomatik
+başlatmayı kurar. Ayarlar penceresi GNOME veya KDE global kısayolunu kurar.
 
 Ayarlar penceresinde iki anahtar istenir: **OpenAI** ve **OpenRouter**. Sesi
 yazıya çevirme ikisinden birinde çalışır (varsayılan `gpt-4o-transcribe`),
diff --git a/audio.py b/audio.py
index a9f47ed..0ef5038 100644
--- a/audio.py
+++ b/audio.py
@@ -27,11 +27,12 @@ CHANNELS = 1
 SAMPLE_WIDTH = 2  # s16
 CHUNK_FRAMES = 1024
 CHUNK_BYTES = CHUNK_FRAMES * SAMPLE_WIDTH * CHANNELS
+CHUNK_LATENCY_MS = round(CHUNK_FRAMES / RATE * 1000)
 MIN_FRAMES = int(RATE * 0.25)
 
 
 class Recorder(QObject):
-    """Runs pw-record as a child process and reads raw PCM from its stdout."""
+    """Runs the available sound-server recorder and reads raw PCM from stdout."""
 
     level = pyqtSignal(float)              # 0.0 - 1.0, for the waveform
     stopped = pyqtSignal(str, float, object)  # wav path, duration (s), per-chunk RMS
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ class Recorder(QObject):
         self._buffer = bytearray()
         self._rms = []
         self._cancelled = False
+        self._stopping = False
         self._lock = threading.Lock()
 
     @property
@@ -53,21 +55,13 @@ class Recorder(QObject):
     def start(self, target="", max_seconds=300):
         if self.active:
             return
-        if not shutil.which("pw-record"):
-            self.failed.emit(t("pw-record not found. Is pipewire-audio installed?"))
+        cmd = recording_command(target)
+        if not cmd:
+            self.failed.emit(t(
+                "No audio recorder found. Install pulseaudio-utils or pipewire-audio."
+            ))
             return
 
-        cmd = [
-            "pw-record",
-            "--raw",
-            f"--rate={RATE}",
-            f"--channels={CHANNELS}",
-            "--format=s16",
-        ]
-        if target:
-            cmd.append(f"--target={target}")
-        cmd.append("-")
-
         try:
             self._proc = subprocess.Popen(
                 cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, bufsize=0
@@ -79,12 +73,14 @@ class Recorder(QObject):
         self._buffer = bytearray()
         self._rms = []
         self._cancelled = False
+        self._stopping = False
         self._max_bytes = int(max_seconds * RATE * SAMPLE_WIDTH * CHANNELS)
         self._thread = threading.Thread(target=self._pump, daemon=True)
         self._thread.start()
 
     def _pump(self):
-        stdout = self._proc.stdout
+        proc = self._proc
+        stdout = proc.stdout
         try:
             while True:
                 chunk = stdout.read(CHUNK_BYTES)
@@ -101,8 +97,25 @@ class Recorder(QObject):
                     break
         except (OSError, ValueError):
             pass
+        # Nobody asked it to end and it captured nothing: the recorder is not
+        # installed properly, or the device was refused. Said out loud here,
+        # because stop() would otherwise report it as a recording that was too
+        # short, which sends the user looking in the wrong place.
+        with self._lock:
+            captured = bool(self._buffer)
+        if self._stopping or self._cancelled or captured:
+            return
+        try:
+            detail = proc.stderr.read().decode("utf-8", "replace").strip()
+        except (AttributeError, OSError):
+            detail = ""
+        self.failed.emit(t(
+            "Audio recorder stopped before receiving sound: {error}",
+            error=detail or f"exit code {proc.returncode}",
+        ))
 
     def _terminate(self):
+        self._stopping = True
         proc = self._proc
         if proc and proc.poll() is None:
             try:
@@ -161,6 +174,39 @@ def write_wav(pcm, rate=RATE, channels=CHANNELS, width=SAMPLE_WIDTH):
     return path
 
 
+def recording_command(target=""):
+    """Return a raw-s16 capture command for the sound server on this desktop.
+
+    parec works with both PulseAudio and PipeWire's PulseAudio compatibility
+    service, and its source names are the same ones shown by list_sources().
+    Keep pw-record as the fallback for minimal native-PipeWire installations.
+    """
+    if shutil.which("parec"):
+        cmd = [
+            "parec", "--record", "--raw", f"--rate={RATE}",
+            f"--channels={CHANNELS}", "--format=s16le",
+            # Left alone, parec holds about two seconds before handing anything
+            # over, and then hands over all of it at once: the level meter sits
+            # still and jumps, and the tail of a recording can be lost on the
+            # way out. A chunk of the meter is the unit the rest of this file
+            # is measured in, so ask for that.
+            f"--latency-msec={CHUNK_LATENCY_MS}",
+        ]
+        if target:
+            cmd.append(f"--device={target}")
+        return cmd
+    if shutil.which("pw-record"):
+        cmd = [
+            "pw-record", "--raw", f"--rate={RATE}",
+            f"--channels={CHANNELS}", "--format=s16",
+        ]
+        if target:
+            cmd.append(f"--target={target}")
+        cmd.append("-")
+        return cmd
+    return []
+
+
 class MeetingRecorder(QObject):
     """Microphone and speaker output into one stereo file: left is you, right is
     everyone else.
diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index b584458..facb667 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -702,7 +702,7 @@ def cmd_shortcut(opts):
     if opts.shortcut == "status":
         rows = {}
         for name, (desktop_id, _label, key) in SHORTCUTS.items():
-            rows[name] = {"registered": hotkey.kde_shortcut_status(desktop_id),
+            rows[name] = {"registered": hotkey.shortcut_status(desktop_id),
                           "configured": conf[key]}
         lines = [f"{name:8} {row['registered'] or '(not installed)':16} "
                  f"setting: {row['configured'] or '(none)'}"
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ def cmd_shortcut(opts):
 
     desktop_id, label, key = SHORTCUTS[opts.which]
     if opts.shortcut == "remove":
-        hotkey.remove_kde_shortcut(desktop_id)
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut(desktop_id)
         return out(opts, {"ok": True, "removed": opts.which},
                    f"Removed the {opts.which} shortcut.")
 
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ def cmd_shortcut(opts):
         return fail(opts, f"{combo} is also used by: {', '.join(clashes[:6])}. "
                           "Pass --force to install it anyway.", 1, conflicts=clashes)
 
-    ok, message = hotkey.install_kde_shortcut(
+    ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
         combo, ipc.command_for(opts.which), name=label, desktop_id=desktop_id,
     )
     if not ok:
diff --git a/hotkey.py b/hotkey.py
index 77f1163..b6b3ed1 100644
--- a/hotkey.py
+++ b/hotkey.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
-"""Global shortcut: KDE custom-shortcut installation plus a built-in evdev listener."""
+"""GNOME/KDE global-shortcut installation plus a built-in evdev listener."""
 
+import ast
 import glob
 import os
 import pathlib
 import re
 import select
+import shutil
 import struct
 import subprocess
 import threading
@@ -19,6 +21,8 @@ ASK_DESKTOP_ID = "dikte-ask.desktop"
 APPLICATIONS_DIR = pathlib.Path.home() / ".local/share/applications"
 DESKTOP_FILE = APPLICATIONS_DIR / DESKTOP_ID
 SHORTCUTS_FILE = pathlib.Path.home() / ".config/kglobalshortcutsrc"
+GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA = "org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys"
+GNOME_BINDING_SCHEMA = "org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybinding"
 
 # --- evdev key codes (linux/input-event-codes.h) --------------------------
 
@@ -172,7 +176,154 @@ class EvdevHotkey(QObject):
         return True
 
 
-# --- KDE custom shortcut --------------------------------------------------
+# --- the desktop's own shortcut -------------------------------------------
+
+def _gnome():
+    desktop = os.environ.get("XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP", "").lower()
+    return "gnome" in desktop and shutil.which("gsettings") is not None
+
+
+def _gnome_path(desktop_id):
+    name = re.sub(r"[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]+", "-", desktop_id.removesuffix(".desktop"))
+    return f"/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/{name}/"
+
+
+def gnome_accelerator(shortcut):
+    """Translate Qt-style Ctrl+Alt+A into GNOME's <Primary><Alt>a syntax."""
+    parts = [part.strip() for part in str(shortcut).split("+") if part.strip()]
+    modifiers = []
+    key = ""
+    names = {
+        "ctrl": "<Primary>", "control": "<Primary>",
+        "alt": "<Alt>", "shift": "<Shift>",
+        "super": "<Super>", "meta": "<Super>",
+    }
+    for part in parts:
+        modifier = names.get(part.lower())
+        if modifier:
+            if modifier not in modifiers:
+                modifiers.append(modifier)
+        else:
+            key = part.lower() if len(part) == 1 else part
+    return "".join(modifiers) + key if key else ""
+
+
+def display_accelerator(accelerator):
+    """Translate a GNOME accelerator back to the form shown in Dikte."""
+    text = str(accelerator)
+    parts = []
+    for token, label in (("<Primary>", "Ctrl"), ("<Control>", "Ctrl"),
+                         ("<Alt>", "Alt"), ("<Shift>", "Shift"),
+                         ("<Super>", "Super")):
+        if token.lower() in text.lower():
+            parts.append(label)
+            text = re.sub(re.escape(token), "", text, flags=re.IGNORECASE)
+    key = text.strip()
+    if len(key) == 1:
+        key = key.upper()
+    if key:
+        parts.append(key)
+    return "+".join(parts)
+
+
+def _gsettings(*args, check=True):
+    return subprocess.run(
+        ["gsettings", *args], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10, check=check,
+    )
+
+
+def _gsettings_array(value):
+    """Parse a gsettings string-array, including the empty `@as []` form."""
+    text = str(value).strip()
+    if text.startswith("@as "):
+        text = text[4:].strip()
+    parsed = ast.literal_eval(text) if text else []
+    if not isinstance(parsed, (list, tuple)):
+        raise ValueError(f"not a string array: {value}")
+    return list(parsed)
+
+
+def install_gnome_shortcut(shortcut, exec_command,
+                           name="Dikte: start/stop recording",
+                           desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    path = _gnome_path(desktop_id)
+    try:
+        current = _gsettings(
+            "get", GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA, "custom-keybindings"
+        ).stdout.strip()
+        paths = _gsettings_array(current)
+        if path not in paths:
+            paths.append(path)
+            _gsettings("set", GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA, "custom-keybindings", repr(paths))
+        schema = f"{GNOME_BINDING_SCHEMA}:{path}"
+        _gsettings("set", schema, "name", repr(name))
+        _gsettings("set", schema, "command", repr(exec_command))
+        accelerator = gnome_accelerator(shortcut)
+        if not accelerator:
+            raise ValueError(t("Could not parse the shortcut: {shortcut}",
+                               shortcut=shortcut))
+        _gsettings("set", schema, "binding", repr(accelerator))
+    except (ValueError, SyntaxError, subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError) as exc:
+        return False, t("Could not register the GNOME shortcut: {error}", error=exc)
+    return True, t("Shortcut saved: {shortcut}", shortcut=shortcut)
+
+
+def remove_gnome_shortcut(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    path = _gnome_path(desktop_id)
+    try:
+        current = _gsettings(
+            "get", GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA, "custom-keybindings"
+        ).stdout.strip()
+        paths = _gsettings_array(current)
+        if path in paths:
+            paths.remove(path)
+            _gsettings("set", GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA, "custom-keybindings", repr(paths))
+    except (ValueError, SyntaxError, subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
+        pass
+
+
+def gnome_shortcut_status(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    path = _gnome_path(desktop_id)
+    try:
+        current = _gsettings(
+            "get", GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA, "custom-keybindings"
+        ).stdout.strip()
+        paths = _gsettings_array(current)
+        if path not in paths:
+            return None
+        value = _gsettings(
+            "get", f"{GNOME_BINDING_SCHEMA}:{path}", "binding"
+        ).stdout.strip()
+        accelerator = ast.literal_eval(value)
+        return display_accelerator(accelerator) if accelerator else None
+    except (ValueError, SyntaxError, subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
+        return None
+
+
+def install_shortcut(shortcut, exec_command, name="Dikte: start/stop recording",
+                     desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    if _gnome():
+        return install_gnome_shortcut(shortcut, exec_command, name, desktop_id)
+    return install_kde_shortcut(shortcut, exec_command, name, desktop_id)
+
+
+def remove_shortcut(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    if _gnome():
+        remove_gnome_shortcut(desktop_id)
+    else:
+        remove_kde_shortcut(desktop_id)
+
+
+def shortcut_status(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
+    return (gnome_shortcut_status(desktop_id) if _gnome()
+            else kde_shortcut_status(desktop_id))
+
+
+def desktop_name():
+    return "GNOME" if _gnome() else "KDE"
+
+
+# --- KDE ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 def install_kde_shortcut(shortcut, exec_command, name="Dikte: start/stop recording",
                          desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
diff --git a/i18n.py b/i18n.py
index f2b1a70..dd70837 100644
--- a/i18n.py
+++ b/i18n.py
@@ -101,19 +101,22 @@ TR = {
     "Unexpected error: {error}": "Beklenmeyen hata: {error}",
 
     # --- audio / paste errors -----------------------------------------
-    "pw-record not found. Is pipewire-audio installed?":
-        "pw-record bulunamadı. pipewire-audio kurulu mu?",
     "Could not start recording: {error}": "Kayıt başlatılamadı: {error}",
-    "wl-copy not found. Install wl-clipboard.":
-        "wl-copy bulunamadı. wl-clipboard paketini kur.",
+    "No audio recorder found. Install pulseaudio-utils or pipewire-audio.":
+        "Ses kayıt aracı bulunamadı. pulseaudio-utils ya da pipewire-audio kur.",
+    "Audio recorder stopped before receiving sound: {error}":
+        "Ses kayıt aracı veri alamadan kapandı: {error}",
     "Could not copy to clipboard: {error}": "Panoya kopyalanamadı: {error}",
-    "wl-copy exited with code {code}.": "wl-copy {code} koduyla çıktı.",
-    "ydotool not found, cannot paste automatically.":
-        "ydotool bulunamadı, otomatik yapıştırma yapılamıyor.",
+    "{tool} not found. Install {packages}.":
+        "{tool} bulunamadı. {packages} paketlerini kur.",
+    "{tool} exited with code {code}.": "{tool} {code} koduyla çıktı.",
+    "{tool} not found, cannot paste automatically.":
+        "{tool} bulunamadı, otomatik yapıştırma yapılamıyor.",
     "Unknown key: {key}": "Bilinmeyen tuş: {key}",
-    "Could not run ydotool: {error}": "ydotool çalıştırılamadı: {error}",
-    "ydotool failed: {error}\nIs ydotoold running? (systemctl --user status ydotool)":
-        "ydotool hatası: {error}\nydotoold çalışıyor mu? (systemctl --user status ydotool)",
+    "Could not run {tool}: {error}": "{tool} çalıştırılamadı: {error}",
+    "{tool} failed: {error}": "{tool} hatası: {error}",
+    "Is ydotoold running? (systemctl --user status ydotool)":
+        "ydotoold çalışıyor mu? (systemctl --user status ydotool)",
 
     # --- api errors ----------------------------------------------------
     "{service} API key is empty. Add it in Settings.":
@@ -268,9 +271,19 @@ TR = {
 
     # --- settings: shortcut ------------------------------------------------
     "Install as a KDE shortcut": "KDE kısayolu olarak kur",
+    "Install as a global shortcut": "Global kısayol olarak kur",
     "Remove": "Kaldır",
     "Registered in KDE: {shortcut}": "KDE'de kayıtlı: {shortcut}",
     "No KDE shortcut installed.": "KDE kısayolu kurulu değil.",
+    "Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}": "{desktop}'da kayıtlı: {shortcut}",
+    "No global shortcut installed.": "Global kısayol kurulu değil.",
+    "No global shortcut installed. The tray menu starts a meeting too.":
+        "Global kısayol kurulu değil. Toplantı tepsi menüsünden de başlatılabilir.",
+    "No global shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too.":
+        "Global kısayol kurulu değil. Tepsi menüsünden de soru sorulabilir.",
+    "Shortcut saved: {shortcut}": "Kısayol kaydedildi: {shortcut}",
+    "Could not register the GNOME shortcut: {error}":
+        "GNOME kısayolu kaydedilemedi: {error}",
     "Use the built-in listener (/dev/input), for when the KDE shortcut is not active yet":
         "Yerleşik dinleyici kullan (/dev/input), KDE kısayolu henüz etkin değilken",
     "Works immediately, no session restart. The only difference: the key "
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 8aef023..2cbaaee 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -19,21 +19,33 @@ echo "────────────────"
 
 # 1. Dependencies ----------------------------------------------------------
 missing=()
-for cmd in pw-record wl-copy wl-paste ydotool ffmpeg; do
+audio_cmds=(ffmpeg)
+if command -v parec >/dev/null || command -v pw-record >/dev/null; then
+  :
+else
+  missing+=("pulseaudio-utils-or-pipewire-audio")
+fi
+if [[ "${XDG_SESSION_TYPE:-}" == "x11" ]]; then
+  desktop_cmds=(xclip xdotool)
+else
+  desktop_cmds=(wl-copy wl-paste ydotool)
+fi
+for cmd in "${audio_cmds[@]}" "${desktop_cmds[@]}"; do
   command -v "$cmd" >/dev/null || missing+=("$cmd")
 done
 python3 -c 'import PyQt6.QtWidgets' 2>/dev/null || missing+=("python-pyqt6")
 
 if ((${#missing[@]})); then
   warn "Missing: ${missing[*]}"
-  say  "Arch/CachyOS:  sudo pacman -S --needed pipewire-audio wl-clipboard ydotool ffmpeg python-pyqt6"
+  say  "Ubuntu X11:    sudo apt install pulseaudio-utils xclip xdotool ffmpeg"
+  say  "Arch Wayland:  sudo pacman -S --needed pipewire-audio wl-clipboard ydotool ffmpeg python-pyqt6"
   echo
 else
   ok "All dependencies present"
 fi
 
 # 2. ydotoold --------------------------------------------------------------
-if command -v ydotool >/dev/null; then
+if [[ "${XDG_SESSION_TYPE:-}" != "x11" ]] && command -v ydotool >/dev/null; then
   if systemctl --user is-active --quiet ydotool 2>/dev/null \
      || systemctl --user is-active --quiet ydotoold 2>/dev/null; then
     ok "ydotoold is running (auto-paste ready)"
@@ -87,7 +99,10 @@ Type=Application
 X-KDE-GlobalAccel-CommandShortcut=true
 EOF
 
-if command -v kwriteconfig6 >/dev/null; then
+if [[ "${XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP:-}" == *GNOME* || "${XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP:-}" == *gnome* ]]; then
+  ok "GNOME detected"
+  say "Open Dikte Settings > Shortcut to install the global shortcut."
+elif command -v kwriteconfig6 >/dev/null; then
   kwriteconfig6 --notify --file kglobalshortcutsrc \
     --group services --group dikte-toggle.desktop \
     --key _launch "$SHORTCUT"
@@ -96,10 +111,10 @@ if command -v kwriteconfig6 >/dev/null; then
   say  "next login. Until then open Settings → Shortcut and turn on the"
   say  "built-in listener to use it right away."
 else
-  warn "kwriteconfig6 not found. Add the shortcut via System Settings > Shortcuts"
+  warn "No supported shortcut manager found. Add the shortcut in desktop settings."
 fi
 
 echo
 ok "Done. Start it with:  dikte"
-say "The settings window opens on first run; add your OpenAI and OpenRouter keys."
+say "The settings window opens on first run; add an OpenAI, Groq or OpenRouter key."
 echo
diff --git a/paste.py b/paste.py
index 2065d56..29b3a5b 100644
--- a/paste.py
+++ b/paste.py
@@ -1,37 +1,119 @@
-"""Clipboard (wl-clipboard) and key injection (ydotool)."""
+"""Clipboard and key injection, through whichever pair of programs is here.
 
+A Wayland session has wl-clipboard and ydotool, an X11 one has xclip and
+xdotool, and a session is one or the other. Which it is gets decided in one
+place, and each desktop is a small group of functions below it: another desktop,
+or another operating system, adds a group and a line to the chooser rather than
+a branch inside every function here.
+"""
+
+import collections
+import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import time
 
 from i18n import t
 
-# Linux input event codes (linux/input-event-codes.h)
+# Linux input event codes (linux/input-event-codes.h), which is what ydotool
+# takes. They are also the list of keys a paste shortcut may be built from, so
+# xdotool is held to the same table rather than being handed the text as typed.
 KEYCODES = {
     "ctrl": 29, "control": 29, "shift": 42, "alt": 56, "super": 125, "meta": 125,
     "v": 47, "insert": 110, "enter": 28, "return": 28,
 }
 
+# xdotool speaks X keysyms, which spell some of those differently.
+KEYSYMS = {"control": "ctrl", "meta": "super", "insert": "Insert",
+           "enter": "Return", "return": "Return"}
+
 
 class PasteError(Exception):
     pass
 
 
+def _keys(shortcut):
+    """'Ctrl+V' -> ['ctrl', 'v'], every one of them a key we know."""
+    parts = [key.strip().lower() for key in str(shortcut).split("+") if key.strip()]
+    for key in parts:
+        if key not in KEYCODES:
+            raise PasteError(t("Unknown key: {key}", key=key))
+    return parts
+
+
+def _ydotool_command(shortcut):
+    """ydotool wants a press event per key, then a release in reverse."""
+    codes = [KEYCODES[key] for key in _keys(shortcut)]
+    return ["ydotool", "key", *[f"{code}:1" for code in codes],
+            *[f"{code}:0" for code in reversed(codes)]]
+
+
+def _xdotool_command(shortcut):
+    """xdotool takes the whole combination as one argument."""
+    keys = [KEYSYMS.get(key, key) for key in _keys(shortcut)]
+    return ["xdotool", "key", "--clearmodifiers", "+".join(keys)]
+
+
+Desktop = collections.namedtuple(
+    "Desktop",
+    # The two programs, the packages to install them from, how to build the key
+    # press, and what else to say when the key press fails.
+    "clipboard keyboard packages read_command copy_command key_command key_hint",
+)
+
+WAYLAND = Desktop(
+    clipboard="wl-copy",
+    keyboard="ydotool",
+    packages="wl-clipboard and ydotool",
+    read_command=["wl-paste", "--no-newline"],
+    copy_command=["wl-copy"],
+    key_command=_ydotool_command,
+    key_hint="Is ydotoold running? (systemctl --user status ydotool)",
+)
+
+X11 = Desktop(
+    clipboard="xclip",
+    keyboard="xdotool",
+    packages="xclip and xdotool",
+    read_command=["xclip", "-selection", "clipboard", "-out"],
+    copy_command=["xclip", "-selection", "clipboard", "-in"],
+    key_command=_xdotool_command,
+    key_hint="",
+)
+
+
+def desktop():
+    """The pair of programs this session's clipboard and keyboard go through.
+
+    Read every time rather than settled at import: a session started before the
+    display server was up would otherwise be stuck with the wrong answer, and a
+    test would have nowhere to say which one it means.
+    """
+    if os.environ.get("XDG_SESSION_TYPE") == "x11":
+        return X11
+    if os.environ.get("DISPLAY") and not os.environ.get("WAYLAND_DISPLAY"):
+        return X11
+    return WAYLAND
+
+
+# --- the clipboard ---------------------------------------------------------
+
 def read_clipboard():
-    if not shutil.which("wl-paste"):
+    here = desktop()
+    if not shutil.which(here.read_command[0]):
         return None
     try:
-        res = subprocess.run(["wl-paste", "--no-newline"], capture_output=True, timeout=5)
+        res = subprocess.run(here.read_command, capture_output=True, timeout=5)
     except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
         return None
     return res.stdout if res.returncode == 0 else None
 
 
-def _run_wl_copy(payload):
-    """wl-copy forks to keep owning the selection; leaving its pipes open makes
-    subprocess.run wait for EOF forever, hence DEVNULL."""
+def _run_copy(payload):
+    """The clipboard owner forks to keep holding the selection; leaving its
+    pipes open makes subprocess.run wait for EOF forever, hence DEVNULL."""
     return subprocess.run(
-        ["wl-copy"],
+        desktop().copy_command,
         input=payload,
         stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
         stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
@@ -40,51 +122,50 @@ def _run_wl_copy(payload):
 
 
 def copy(text):
-    if not shutil.which("wl-copy"):
-        raise PasteError(t("wl-copy not found. Install wl-clipboard."))
+    here = desktop()
+    if not shutil.which(here.clipboard):
+        raise PasteError(t("{tool} not found. Install {packages}.",
+                           tool=here.clipboard, packages=here.packages))
     try:
-        res = _run_wl_copy(text.encode("utf-8"))
+        res = _run_copy(text.encode("utf-8"))
     except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError) as exc:
         raise PasteError(t("Could not copy to clipboard: {error}", error=exc)) from exc
     if res.returncode != 0:
-        raise PasteError(t("wl-copy exited with code {code}.", code=res.returncode))
+        raise PasteError(t("{tool} exited with code {code}.",
+                           tool=here.clipboard, code=res.returncode))
 
 
 def copy_bytes(data):
-    if data is None or not shutil.which("wl-copy"):
+    if data is None or not shutil.which(desktop().clipboard):
         return
     try:
-        _run_wl_copy(data)
+        _run_copy(data)
     except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
         pass
 
 
-def ydotool_ready():
-    return shutil.which("ydotool") is not None
+# --- the key press ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+def paste_ready():
+    return shutil.which(desktop().keyboard) is not None
 
 
 def press(shortcut="ctrl+v", delay=0.12):
-    """Press a key combination through ydotool, e.g. 'ctrl+v'."""
-    if not ydotool_ready():
-        raise PasteError(t("ydotool not found, cannot paste automatically."))
+    """Press a key combination, e.g. 'ctrl+v'."""
+    here = desktop()
+    if not paste_ready():
+        raise PasteError(t("{tool} not found, cannot paste automatically.",
+                           tool=here.keyboard))
 
-    codes = []
-    for key in (k.strip().lower() for k in shortcut.split("+") if k.strip()):
-        code = KEYCODES.get(key)
-        if code is None:
-            raise PasteError(t("Unknown key: {key}", key=key))
-        codes.append(code)
-
-    seq = [f"{c}:1" for c in codes] + [f"{c}:0" for c in reversed(codes)]
+    command = here.key_command(shortcut)
     time.sleep(delay)  # let the selection settle and focus come back
     try:
-        res = subprocess.run(["ydotool", "key", *seq], capture_output=True,
-                             text=True, timeout=10)
+        res = subprocess.run(command, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10)
     except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError) as exc:
-        raise PasteError(t("Could not run ydotool: {error}", error=exc)) from exc
+        raise PasteError(t("Could not run {tool}: {error}",
+                           tool=here.keyboard, error=exc)) from exc
     if res.returncode != 0:
-        raise PasteError(t(
-            "ydotool failed: {error}\nIs ydotoold running? "
-            "(systemctl --user status ydotool)",
-            error=res.stderr.strip() or "unknown error",
-        ))
+        message = t("{tool} failed: {error}", tool=here.keyboard,
+                    error=res.stderr.strip() or "unknown error")
+        raise PasteError(f"{message}\n{t(here.key_hint)}" if here.key_hint
+                         else message)
diff --git a/settings_ui.py b/settings_ui.py
index 9638ae8..1690a6b 100644
--- a/settings_ui.py
+++ b/settings_ui.py
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
             )
             if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
                 return
-        ok, message = hotkey.install_kde_shortcut(combo, self.launch_command)
+        ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(combo, self.launch_command)
         QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"), message)
         if ok:
             self.conf["shortcut"] = combo
@@ -1297,14 +1297,15 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self._refresh_shortcut_status()
 
     def _remove_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_kde_shortcut()
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut()
         self._refresh_shortcut_status()
 
     def _refresh_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.kde_shortcut_status()
+        current = hotkey.shortcut_status()
         self.shortcut_status.setText(
-            t("Registered in KDE: {shortcut}", shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No KDE shortcut installed.")
+            t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
+              desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
+            else t("No global shortcut installed.")
         )
 
     def _install_meeting_shortcut(self):
@@ -1322,7 +1323,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
             )
             if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
                 return
-        ok, message = hotkey.install_kde_shortcut(
+        ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
             combo, self.meeting_command, name="Dikte: start/end a meeting recording",
             desktop_id=hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID,
         )
@@ -1333,14 +1334,15 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self._refresh_meeting_shortcut_status()
 
     def _remove_meeting_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_kde_shortcut(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
         self._refresh_meeting_shortcut_status()
 
     def _refresh_meeting_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.kde_shortcut_status(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
+        current = hotkey.shortcut_status(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
         self.meeting_shortcut_status.setText(
-            t("Registered in KDE: {shortcut}", shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No KDE shortcut installed. The tray menu starts a meeting too.")
+            t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
+              desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
+            else t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu starts a meeting too.")
         )
 
     # ---- Claude ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1360,7 +1362,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
             )
             if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
                 return
-        ok, message = hotkey.install_kde_shortcut(
+        ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
             combo, self.ask_command, name="Dikte: ask Claude Code",
             desktop_id=hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID,
         )
@@ -1371,14 +1373,15 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self._refresh_ask_shortcut_status()
 
     def _remove_ask_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_kde_shortcut(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
         self._refresh_ask_shortcut_status()
 
     def _refresh_ask_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.kde_shortcut_status(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
+        current = hotkey.shortcut_status(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
         self.assistant_shortcut_status.setText(
-            t("Registered in KDE: {shortcut}", shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No KDE shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too.")
+            t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
+              desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
+            else t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too.")
         )
 
     def _assistant_provider_changed(self):
diff --git a/tests/test_audio.py b/tests/test_audio.py
index 9a8dbaa..7595d1b 100644
--- a/tests/test_audio.py
+++ b/tests/test_audio.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ speakers, and neither list may go missing when pactl is absent.
 
 import array
 import contextlib
+import io
 import json
 import os
 import subprocess
@@ -194,10 +195,10 @@ class FakeProcess:
     """A pw-record that hands over a fixed buffer and then ends."""
 
     def __init__(self, data):
-        import io
         self.stdout = io.BytesIO(data)
         self.stderr = io.BytesIO(b"")
         self.signals = []
+        self.returncode = 0
         self._alive = True
 
     def poll(self):
@@ -215,6 +216,60 @@ class FakeProcess:
         self._alive = False
 
 
+@linux_only
+class RecordingCommand(DikteTest):
+    """Which program captures the microphone, and how it is asked to."""
+
+    def test_parec_is_preferred(self):
+        """It speaks to PulseAudio and to PipeWire's compatibility service, so
+        it is the one that works on both desktops."""
+        with only_these_tools("parec", "pw-record"):
+            self.assertEqual(audio.recording_command()[0], "parec")
+
+    def test_pw_record_is_the_fallback(self):
+        with only_these_tools("pw-record"):
+            self.assertEqual(audio.recording_command()[0], "pw-record")
+
+    def test_neither_is_installed(self):
+        with only_these_tools():
+            self.assertEqual(audio.recording_command(), [])
+
+    def test_both_capture_the_format_the_rest_of_the_code_expects(self):
+        for tool in ("parec", "pw-record"):
+            with self.subTest(tool=tool), only_these_tools(tool):
+                cmd = audio.recording_command()
+                joined = " ".join(cmd)
+                self.assertIn(str(audio.RATE), joined)
+                self.assertIn(str(audio.CHANNELS), joined)
+                self.assertIn("s16", joined)
+
+    def test_parec_is_asked_for_the_level_meter_s_own_chunk(self):
+        """Left alone it buffers about two seconds, which the waveform shows as
+        a still bar that jumps once a second, and which can cost the tail of a
+        recording when the process is asked to stop."""
+        with only_these_tools("parec"):
+            self.assertIn(f"--latency-msec={audio.CHUNK_LATENCY_MS}",
+                          audio.recording_command())
+
+    def test_the_latency_asked_for_is_the_chunk_the_meter_reads(self):
+        self.assertEqual(audio.CHUNK_LATENCY_MS,
+                         round(audio.CHUNK_FRAMES / audio.RATE * 1000))
+
+    def test_a_chosen_microphone_reaches_either_one(self):
+        with only_these_tools("parec"):
+            self.assertIn("--device=alsa_input.usb", audio.recording_command(
+                "alsa_input.usb"))
+        with only_these_tools("pw-record"):
+            self.assertIn("--target=alsa_input.usb", audio.recording_command(
+                "alsa_input.usb"))
+
+    def test_no_microphone_named_means_no_device_flag(self):
+        for tool, flag in (("parec", "--device="), ("pw-record", "--target=")):
+            with self.subTest(tool=tool), only_these_tools(tool):
+                self.assertFalse([arg for arg in audio.recording_command()
+                                  if arg.startswith(flag)])
+
+
 @linux_only
 class RecorderChain(DikteTest):
     """Start to WAV, with pw-record faked out."""
@@ -233,15 +288,6 @@ class RecorderChain(DikteTest):
             recorder.stop()
         return recorder, results, failures, popen
 
-    def test_pw_record_is_not_installed(self):
-        recorder = audio.Recorder()
-        failures = []
-        recorder.failed.connect(failures.append)
-        with only_these_tools():
-            recorder.start()
-        self.assertEqual(len(failures), 1)
-        self.assertIn("pipewire", failures[0])
-
     def test_the_capture_format_is_what_the_rest_of_the_code_expects(self):
         _, _, _, popen = self.record(silence(1.0))
         cmd = popen.call_args.args[0]
@@ -295,6 +341,58 @@ class RecorderChain(DikteTest):
         self.addCleanup(os.unlink, path)
         self.assertLessEqual(duration, 1.1)
 
+    def test_a_recorder_that_is_not_installed_at_all(self):
+        recorder = audio.Recorder()
+        failures = []
+        recorder.failed.connect(failures.append)
+        with only_these_tools():
+            recorder.start()
+        self.assertEqual(len(failures), 1)
+        self.assertIn("pulseaudio-utils", failures[0])
+
+    def pump(self, data=b"", stderr=b"", stopping=False, cancelled=False):
+        """Run the pump in this thread, where a queued signal would need an
+        event loop nobody is running here."""
+        recorder = audio.Recorder()
+        failures = []
+        recorder.failed.connect(failures.append)
+        proc = FakeProcess(data)
+        proc.stderr = io.BytesIO(stderr)
+        proc._alive = False
+        recorder._proc = proc
+        recorder._max_bytes = 10 ** 9
+        recorder._stopping = stopping
+        recorder._cancelled = cancelled
+        recorder._pump()
+        return failures
+
+    def test_a_recorder_that_died_on_its_own_says_so(self):
+        """parec refused the device, or the sound server went away."""
+        failures = self.pump(stderr=b"connection refused\n")
+        self.assertEqual(len(failures), 1)
+        self.assertIn("connection refused", failures[0])
+
+    def test_a_death_with_nothing_on_stderr_still_names_the_exit_code(self):
+        failures = self.pump()
+        self.assertIn("exit code", failures[0])
+
+    def test_a_recording_we_ended_ourselves_is_not_a_death(self):
+        """Otherwise a stray keypress produces two errors, and the first one
+        sends the user looking for a broken sound server."""
+        self.assertEqual(self.pump(stopping=True), [])
+
+    def test_a_cancelled_recording_is_not_a_death(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.pump(cancelled=True), [])
+
+    def test_a_recorder_that_captured_something_first_is_not_a_death(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.pump(data=silence(0.5)), [])
+
+    def test_a_short_recording_reports_only_that(self):
+        _, results, failures, _ = self.record(silence(0.1))
+        self.assertEqual(results, [])
+        self.assertEqual(len(failures), 1)
+        self.assertIn("0.3", failures[0])
+
     def test_a_recorder_that_could_not_start(self):
         recorder = audio.Recorder()
         failures = []
diff --git a/tests/test_hotkey.py b/tests/test_hotkey.py
index b3e0d70..4297724 100644
--- a/tests/test_hotkey.py
+++ b/tests/test_hotkey.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
-"""Parsing a shortcut, and the KDE entry it is installed as."""
+"""Parsing a shortcut, and the entry the desktop is asked to register it as."""
 
+import contextlib
+import os
 import subprocess
 import unittest
 from unittest import mock
@@ -121,6 +123,193 @@ class Bindings(DikteTest):
         self.assertEqual(len(listener._bindings[57]), 2)
 
 
+@linux_only
+class Chooser(DikteTest):
+    """Which desktop is asked to register the shortcut."""
+
+    @contextlib.contextmanager
+    def under(self, desktop, has_gsettings=True):
+        """A session that says it is this desktop, with or without gsettings."""
+        with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP": desktop}), \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey.shutil, "which",
+                                  return_value="/usr/bin/gsettings"
+                                  if has_gsettings else None):
+            yield
+
+    def test_gnome_when_the_session_says_so_and_gsettings_is_there(self):
+        with self.under("GNOME"):
+            self.assertEqual(hotkey.desktop_name(), "GNOME")
+
+    def test_kde_otherwise(self):
+        with self.under("KDE"):
+            self.assertEqual(hotkey.desktop_name(), "KDE")
+
+    def test_a_gnome_session_with_no_gsettings_falls_back(self):
+        """Nothing to write the binding with, so KDE's file is the only try."""
+        with self.under("GNOME", has_gsettings=False):
+            self.assertEqual(hotkey.desktop_name(), "KDE")
+
+    def test_the_desktop_is_matched_loosely(self):
+        for desktop in ("GNOME", "ubuntu:GNOME", "gnome"):
+            with self.subTest(desktop=desktop), self.under(desktop):
+                self.assertEqual(hotkey.desktop_name(), "GNOME")
+
+    def test_installing_goes_to_whichever_it_is(self):
+        with self.under("GNOME"), \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey, "install_gnome_shortcut",
+                                  return_value=(True, "ok")) as gnome:
+            hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Space", "dikte toggle")
+        gnome.assert_called_once()
+
+        with self.under("KDE"), \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey, "install_kde_shortcut",
+                                  return_value=(True, "ok")) as kde:
+            hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Space", "dikte toggle")
+        kde.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_removing_and_reading_back_go_to_the_same_one(self):
+        with self.under("GNOME"), \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey, "remove_gnome_shortcut") as remove, \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey, "gnome_shortcut_status",
+                                  return_value="Ctrl+Space") as status:
+            hotkey.remove_shortcut()
+            self.assertEqual(hotkey.shortcut_status(), "Ctrl+Space")
+        remove.assert_called_once()
+        status.assert_called_once()
+
+
+@linux_only
+class GnomeAccelerator(DikteTest):
+    """Qt spells a combination one way, GNOME another."""
+
+    def test_the_default_shortcut(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Ctrl+Space"), "<Primary>Space")
+
+    def test_several_modifiers_keep_their_order(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Ctrl+Alt+A"), "<Primary><Alt>a")
+
+    def test_the_synonyms(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Meta+A"),
+                         hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Super+A"))
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Control+A"),
+                         hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Ctrl+A"))
+
+    def test_a_modifier_repeated_is_written_once(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Ctrl+Control+A"), "<Primary>a")
+
+    def test_modifiers_with_no_key_are_not_a_shortcut(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator("Ctrl+Alt"), "")
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.gnome_accelerator(""), "")
+
+    def test_what_goes_out_comes_back_the_way_dikte_writes_it(self):
+        for shortcut in ("Ctrl+Space", "Ctrl+Alt+A", "Shift+F9", "Super+M"):
+            with self.subTest(shortcut=shortcut):
+                accelerator = hotkey.gnome_accelerator(shortcut)
+                self.assertEqual(hotkey.display_accelerator(accelerator), shortcut)
+
+    def test_the_control_spelling_gnome_also_uses(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.display_accelerator("<Control>a"), "Ctrl+A")
+
+    def test_an_empty_binding(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.display_accelerator(""), "")
+
+
+@linux_only
+class GsettingsArray(DikteTest):
+    def test_a_list_of_paths(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            hotkey._gsettings_array("['/org/gnome/one/', '/org/gnome/two/']"),
+            ["/org/gnome/one/", "/org/gnome/two/"])
+
+    def test_the_empty_form_gsettings_prints(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey._gsettings_array("@as []"), [])
+
+    def test_nothing_at_all(self):
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey._gsettings_array(""), [])
+
+    def test_something_that_is_not_an_array(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            hotkey._gsettings_array("'just a string'")
+
+
+@linux_only
+class GnomeShortcut(DikteTest):
+    """The gsettings calls, without a session bus to make them against."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        self.enterContext(mock.patch.dict(os.environ,
+                                          {"XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP": "GNOME"}))
+        self.enterContext(mock.patch.object(hotkey.shutil, "which",
+                                            return_value="/usr/bin/gsettings"))
+
+    def gsettings(self, listed="@as []", binding="'<Primary>Space'"):
+        def run(cmd, **kwargs):
+            if cmd[1] == "get" and cmd[3] == "custom-keybindings":
+                return FakeCompleted(stdout=listed)
+            return FakeCompleted(stdout=binding)
+        return mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=run)
+
+    def written(self, run, key):
+        """The value the last `gsettings set ... <key>` was given."""
+        for call in reversed(run.mock_calls):
+            cmd = call.args[0] if call.args else []
+            if len(cmd) > 4 and cmd[1] == "set" and cmd[3] == key:
+                return cmd[4]
+        return None
+
+    def test_installing_registers_the_path_the_name_and_the_binding(self):
+        with self.gsettings() as run:
+            ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Space", "dikte toggle")
+        self.assertTrue(ok)
+        self.assertIn("Ctrl+Space", message)
+        self.assertIn(hotkey.DESKTOP_ID.removesuffix(".desktop"),
+                      self.written(run, "custom-keybindings"))
+        self.assertEqual(self.written(run, "command"), repr("dikte toggle"))
+        self.assertEqual(self.written(run, "binding"), repr("<Primary>Space"))
+
+    def test_installing_twice_does_not_list_the_path_twice(self):
+        path = hotkey._gnome_path(hotkey.DESKTOP_ID)
+        with self.gsettings(listed=repr([path])) as run:
+            hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Space", "dikte toggle")
+        self.assertIsNone(self.written(run, "custom-keybindings"))
+
+    def test_each_verb_gets_its_own_path(self):
+        self.assertNotEqual(hotkey._gnome_path(hotkey.DESKTOP_ID),
+                            hotkey._gnome_path(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID))
+
+    def test_a_shortcut_gnome_cannot_express(self):
+        with self.gsettings():
+            ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Alt", "dikte toggle")
+        self.assertFalse(ok)
+        self.assertIn("Ctrl+Alt", message)
+
+    def test_no_session_bus_to_talk_to(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=OSError("no bus")):
+            ok, _ = hotkey.install_shortcut("Ctrl+Space", "dikte toggle")
+        self.assertFalse(ok)
+
+    def test_reading_back_a_shortcut_that_is_registered(self):
+        path = hotkey._gnome_path(hotkey.DESKTOP_ID)
+        with self.gsettings(listed=repr([path])):
+            self.assertEqual(hotkey.shortcut_status(), "Ctrl+Space")
+
+    def test_reading_back_one_that_is_not(self):
+        with self.gsettings(listed="@as []"):
+            self.assertIsNone(hotkey.shortcut_status())
+
+    def test_removing_takes_the_path_off_the_list(self):
+        path = hotkey._gnome_path(hotkey.DESKTOP_ID)
+        with self.gsettings(listed=repr([path, "/org/gnome/other/"])) as run:
+            hotkey.remove_shortcut()
+        self.assertEqual(self.written(run, "custom-keybindings"),
+                         repr(["/org/gnome/other/"]))
+
+    def test_removing_one_that_was_never_installed(self):
+        with self.gsettings(listed="@as []"):
+            hotkey.remove_shortcut()   # must not raise
+
+
 @linux_only
 class KdeShortcut(DikteTest):
     def setUp(self):
diff --git a/tests/test_paste.py b/tests/test_paste.py
index 96c258d..1d6806b 100644
--- a/tests/test_paste.py
+++ b/tests/test_paste.py
@@ -1,12 +1,18 @@
 """The clipboard and the key press, which is where a dictation actually lands.
 
 Everything here shells out, so the tools are faked. What the tests hold onto is
-the command line: a paste that presses the wrong codes, or in the wrong order,
+the command line: a paste that presses the wrong keys, or in the wrong order,
 types nothing and looks like a hang.
+
+Both desktops owe the same promises, so those are written once and run against
+each of them. A third one added to paste.py inherits the same list rather than
+needing its own copy of it.
 """
 
+import os
 import subprocess
 import unittest
+from typing import ClassVar
 from unittest import mock
 
 import paste
@@ -14,47 +20,86 @@ from tests.support import DikteTest, FakeCompleted, linux_only, only_these_tools
 
 
 @linux_only
-class ReadClipboard(DikteTest):
-    def test_no_wl_paste_installed(self):
+class Chooser(DikteTest):
+    """Which pair of programs this session's clipboard goes through."""
+
+    def under(self, **env):
+        with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+            return paste.desktop()
+
+    def test_a_wayland_session(self):
+        self.assertIs(self.under(XDG_SESSION_TYPE="wayland",
+                                 WAYLAND_DISPLAY="wayland-0"), paste.WAYLAND)
+
+    def test_an_x11_session(self):
+        self.assertIs(self.under(XDG_SESSION_TYPE="x11", DISPLAY=":0"), paste.X11)
+
+    def test_a_display_with_no_wayland_beside_it(self):
+        self.assertIs(self.under(DISPLAY=":0"), paste.X11)
+
+    def test_an_x11_display_under_wayland_is_still_wayland(self):
+        """XWayland sets DISPLAY too; the session type is the one to believe."""
+        self.assertIs(self.under(XDG_SESSION_TYPE="wayland",
+                                 DISPLAY=":0", WAYLAND_DISPLAY="wayland-0"),
+                      paste.WAYLAND)
+
+    def test_nothing_set_at_all(self):
+        self.assertIs(self.under(), paste.WAYLAND)
+
+
+class DesktopContract:
+    """What both desktops owe. Each of them subclasses this once, below."""
+
+    env: ClassVar[dict] = {}
+    here = None
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        self.enterContext(mock.patch.dict(os.environ, self.env, clear=True))
+
+    # ---- reading the clipboard -------------------------------------------
+
+    def test_no_reader_installed(self):
         with only_these_tools():
             self.assertIsNone(paste.read_clipboard())
 
     def test_what_is_on_the_clipboard_comes_back_as_bytes(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-paste"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.read_command[0]), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted(stdout=b"hello")) as run:
             self.assertEqual(paste.read_clipboard(), b"hello")
-        self.assertEqual(run.call_args.args[0], ["wl-paste", "--no-newline"])
+        self.assertEqual(run.call_args.args[0], self.here.read_command)
 
     def test_an_empty_clipboard_is_not_an_error(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-paste"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.read_command[0]), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted(returncode=1)):
             self.assertIsNone(paste.read_clipboard())
 
-    def test_a_tool_that_will_not_run(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-paste"), \
+    def test_a_reader_that_will_not_run(self):
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.read_command[0]), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=OSError("nope")):
             self.assertIsNone(paste.read_clipboard())
 
+    # ---- copying ----------------------------------------------------------
 
-@linux_only
-class Copy(DikteTest):
-    def test_no_wl_copy_installed(self):
+    def test_no_clipboard_tool_installed_says_what_to_install(self):
         with only_these_tools(), self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
             paste.copy("hello")
-        self.assertIn("wl-clipboard", str(caught.exception))
+        self.assertIn(self.here.clipboard, str(caught.exception))
+        self.assertIn(self.here.packages.split(" and ")[0], str(caught.exception))
 
     def test_the_text_goes_in_as_utf8(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted()) as run:
             paste.copy("günaydın")
+        self.assertEqual(run.call_args.args[0], self.here.copy_command)
         self.assertEqual(run.call_args.kwargs["input"], "günaydın".encode())
 
     def test_the_pipes_are_closed_so_the_call_can_return(self):
-        """wl-copy forks and holds the selection; a pipe nobody drains hangs."""
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+        """The clipboard owner forks; a pipe nobody drains hangs the caller."""
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted()) as run:
             paste.copy("hello")
@@ -62,95 +107,130 @@ class Copy(DikteTest):
         self.assertEqual(run.call_args.kwargs["stderr"], subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
     def test_a_non_zero_exit_is_reported(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted(returncode=1)), \
                 self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError):
             paste.copy("hello")
 
-    def test_a_tool_that_will_not_run(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+    def test_a_clipboard_tool_that_will_not_run(self):
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=OSError("nope")), \
                 self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError):
             paste.copy("hello")
 
-
-@linux_only
-class CopyBytes(DikteTest):
-    def test_nothing_to_restore(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+    def test_there_is_nothing_to_restore(self):
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run") as run:
             paste.copy_bytes(None)
         run.assert_not_called()
 
     def test_restoring_never_raises(self):
         """It runs after the paste went in; failing here must not undo that."""
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=OSError("nope")):
             paste.copy_bytes(b"whatever was there before")
 
     def test_the_bytes_go_back_untouched(self):
-        with only_these_tools("wl-copy"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.clipboard), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=FakeCompleted()) as run:
             paste.copy_bytes(b"\x89PNG\r\n")
         self.assertEqual(run.call_args.kwargs["input"], b"\x89PNG\r\n")
 
+    # ---- pressing the key -------------------------------------------------
 
-@linux_only
-class Press(DikteTest):
-    def setUp(self):
-        super().setUp()
-        # The settle delay is real time nobody needs to spend in a test.
-        self.patch_attr(paste.time, "sleep", lambda seconds: None)
-
-    def run_press(self, shortcut, result=None):
-        with only_these_tools("ydotool"), \
+    def press(self, shortcut, result=None):
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.keyboard), \
+                mock.patch.object(paste.time, "sleep", lambda seconds: None), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run",
                                   return_value=result or FakeCompleted()) as run:
             paste.press(shortcut)
         return run.call_args.args[0]
 
-    def test_no_ydotool_installed(self):
+    def test_no_keyboard_tool_installed(self):
         with only_these_tools():
-            self.assertFalse(paste.ydotool_ready())
-            with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError):
+            self.assertFalse(paste.paste_ready())
+            with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
                 paste.press()
-
-    def test_ctrl_v_presses_down_then_lets_go_in_reverse(self):
-        self.assertEqual(self.run_press("ctrl+v"),
-                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "47:1", "47:0", "29:0"])
-
-    def test_three_keys(self):
-        self.assertEqual(self.run_press("ctrl+shift+v"),
-                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "42:1", "47:1",
-                          "47:0", "42:0", "29:0"])
+        self.assertIn(self.here.keyboard, str(caught.exception))
 
     def test_case_and_spacing_do_not_matter(self):
-        self.assertEqual(self.run_press(" Ctrl + V "), self.run_press("ctrl+v"))
+        self.assertEqual(self.press(" Ctrl + V "), self.press("ctrl+v"))
 
-    def test_the_synonyms_land_on_the_same_codes(self):
-        self.assertEqual(self.run_press("control+insert"),
-                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "110:1", "110:0", "29:0"])
-        self.assertEqual(self.run_press("super+enter"), self.run_press("meta+return"))
-
-    def test_a_key_nobody_mapped(self):
-        with only_these_tools("ydotool"), mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run"), \
+    def test_a_key_nobody_mapped_is_refused_before_the_tool_runs(self):
+        """Whichever desktop it is, the shortcut is held to one table."""
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.keyboard), \
+                mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run") as run, \
                 self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
             paste.press("ctrl+f13")
         self.assertIn("f13", str(caught.exception))
-
-    def test_ydotoold_not_running_says_so(self):
-        with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
-            self.run_press("ctrl+v", FakeCompleted(returncode=1, stderr="no socket"))
-        self.assertIn("ydotoold", str(caught.exception))
+        run.assert_not_called()
 
     def test_a_tool_that_will_not_run(self):
-        with only_these_tools("ydotool"), \
+        with only_these_tools(self.here.keyboard), \
+                mock.patch.object(paste.time, "sleep", lambda seconds: None), \
                 mock.patch.object(subprocess, "run", side_effect=OSError("nope")), \
                 self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError):
             paste.press("ctrl+v")
 
+    def test_a_failed_key_press_names_the_tool_and_what_it_said(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
+            self.press("ctrl+v", FakeCompleted(returncode=1, stderr="no socket"))
+        self.assertIn(self.here.keyboard, str(caught.exception))
+        self.assertIn("no socket", str(caught.exception))
+
+
+@linux_only
+class Wayland(DesktopContract, DikteTest):
+    env: ClassVar[dict] = {"XDG_SESSION_TYPE": "wayland",
+                           "WAYLAND_DISPLAY": "wayland-0"}
+    here = paste.WAYLAND
+
+    def test_ydotool_presses_down_then_lets_go_in_reverse(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("ctrl+v"),
+                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "47:1", "47:0", "29:0"])
+
+    def test_three_keys(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("ctrl+shift+v"),
+                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "42:1", "47:1",
+                          "47:0", "42:0", "29:0"])
+
+    def test_the_synonyms_land_on_the_same_codes(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("control+insert"),
+                         ["ydotool", "key", "29:1", "110:1", "110:0", "29:0"])
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("super+enter"), self.press("meta+return"))
+
+    def test_a_failure_asks_after_the_daemon(self):
+        """ydotool needs ydotoold, and says nothing useful when it is not up."""
+        with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
+            self.press("ctrl+v", FakeCompleted(returncode=1, stderr="no socket"))
+        self.assertIn("ydotoold", str(caught.exception))
+
+
+@linux_only
+class X11(DesktopContract, DikteTest):
+    env: ClassVar[dict] = {"XDG_SESSION_TYPE": "x11", "DISPLAY": ":0"}
+    here = paste.X11
+
+    def test_xdotool_takes_the_combination_as_one_argument(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("ctrl+v"),
+                         ["xdotool", "key", "--clearmodifiers", "ctrl+v"])
+
+    def test_three_keys(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("ctrl+shift+v"),
+                         ["xdotool", "key", "--clearmodifiers", "ctrl+shift+v"])
+
+    def test_the_keys_x_spells_differently(self):
+        """xdotool wants keysyms, not the names the code table is keyed by."""
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("control+insert")[-1], "ctrl+Insert")
+        self.assertEqual(self.press("meta+enter")[-1], "super+Return")
+
+    def test_no_daemon_to_ask_after(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(paste.PasteError) as caught:
+            self.press("ctrl+v", FakeCompleted(returncode=1, stderr="bad keysym"))
+        self.assertNotIn("ydotoold", str(caught.exception))
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()