A small Python tool that enables scrolling by holding the middle mouse button and moving the pointer. It runs on X11 sessions and uses xdotool to generate mouse wheel events.

• Auto-scrolling while the middle button is held
• Faster scrolling as the pointer moves farther from the center
• Smooth speed transitions for vertical scrolling
• Optional horizontal scrolling support
• Autostart install and removal support

• Python 3.10+ recommended
• X11 session
• pynput Python package
• xdotool command

On Ubuntu / Debian-based systems:

sudo apt install xdotool python3-pip
pip install pynput

Run the script directly:

python3 middle_scroll.py

Once the program is running, hold the middle mouse button. Scroll speed increases as you move the pointer farther from the center. Releasing the button stops scrolling.

To start automatically when the user logs in:

python3 middle_scroll.py --install-autostart

To remove the autostart entry:

python3 middle_scroll.py --remove-autostart

All settings are controlled by constants in middle_scroll.py:

• ENABLE_HORIZONTAL: Enables horizontal scrolling
• INVERT_VERTICAL: Reverses vertical direction
• INVERT_HORIZONTAL: Reverses horizontal direction
• DEADZONE_RADIUS: Dead zone around the center
• MAX_VERTICAL_SPEED: Maximum vertical speed
• MAX_HORIZONTAL_SPEED: Maximum horizontal speed

• This tool does not work on Wayland.
• The autostart entry assumes the script is available at ~/.local/bin/middle_scroll.py.
• The .desktop file is created at ~/.config/autostart/middle_scroll.desktop.

Main application: middle_scroll.py