TL;DR
A GNOME developer, Jordan Petridis, has submitted changes to remove the middle-click paste behavior from GNOME defaults and filed a related bug against Firefox. Supporters and critics clash: proponents call the feature an outdated 'X11ism' while opponents point to decades of Unix history and practical workflows built around the primary-selection paste.
What happened
GNOME contributor Jordan Petridis submitted code to eliminate the traditional middle-button paste behavior from GNOME's default settings and separately filed bug 1747207 proposing the same change for Firefox. In his submissions he characterized the feature as an "X11ism," called it little-known and prone to accidental activation, and argued it causes user confusion. Critics responding to the proposal say that the middle-button paste relies on the separate PRIMARY selection (selected text), not the clipboard, and that it supports useful multi-step workflows — for example copying one item with the clipboard and pasting a different selected item with the middle button. The behavior has a long pedigree in Unix graphical systems: the article cites references dating back through Linux-era documentation and earlier Unix systems, and notes community familiarity with the feature over many years. The discussion has also touched on related UI changes such as GNOME's shift to client-side window decorations, which altered some middle-button window-management behaviors.
Why it matters
- Altering or removing the feature would change workflows that rely on the primary-selection/paste behavior.
- The proposal spans multiple projects—GNOME defaults and Firefox—potentially affecting many users.
- The debate raises questions about preserving legacy Unix input behaviors versus modernizing defaults.
- Accessibility and discoverability concerns are part of the discussion, with both sides citing user confusion or utility.
Key facts
- Jordan Petridis submitted a merge request to remove middle-click paste from GNOME defaults.
- Petridis filed bug 1747207 proposing removal of the same behavior in Firefox.
- Petridis described the feature as an "X11ism" and said it is little-known and often activated accidentally.
- Middle-click paste uses the system's primary selection (selected text) and, according to the article, does not modify the clipboard.
- The feature has historical references in Unix and Linux documentation dating back decades, including mentions from the 1990s and early 2000s.
- The article's author recounts encountering the feature on older Linux distributions and in Unix tools predating X11.
- GNOME's move to client-side decorations has already affected some middle-button window behaviors.
- Petridis has previously commented about 'concerned trolling and misinformation' in discussions around this topic.
What to watch next
- Whether GNOME's merge request is accepted and the change is deployed in future GNOME releases — not confirmed in the source.
- How Firefox responds to bug 1747207 and whether it changes its middle-click behavior — not confirmed in the source.
- Community reaction, especially from users who rely on primary-selection workflows and from accessibility advocates — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- GNOME: A desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems that provides a graphical user interface and a set of core applications.
- X11 (X Window System): A windowing system for bitmap displays common on Unix and Unix-like operating systems; historically provided input and display protocols for graphical environments.
- Primary selection: A mechanism in many Unix graphical environments where currently selected text can be pasted with a middle-click, separate from the clipboard selection.
- Clipboard: A temporary storage area for data (such as copied text) that is used to transfer content between applications, typically accessed with explicit copy/paste commands.
- Client-side decorations: A window design approach where application windows draw their own title bars and controls rather than relying on the window manager to provide them.
Reader FAQ
What exactly is being proposed?
Removing the middle-click paste behavior from GNOME defaults and proposing a similar removal in Firefox, as submitted by Jordan Petridis.
Does middle-click paste change the clipboard?
According to the article, middle-click pastes the current primary selection and does not modify the clipboard.
Is the removal finalized?
not confirmed in the source
Why do proponents want to remove it?
Petridis argues the feature is little-known, not discoverable, and can be triggered accidentally, causing confusion.
OSES 1 GNOME dev gives fans of Linux's middle-click paste the middle finger Proposal targets long-standing behavior as 'an X11ism' Liam Proven Wed 7 Jan 2026 // 13:40 UTC OPINION Ever since Linux got…
Sources
- GNOME dev gives fans of Linux's middle-click paste the middle finger
- Gnome and Mozilla Discuss Proposal to Disable Middle …
- GNOME and Mozilla Discuss Proposal to Disable Middle …
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