Ubuntu – pynput library not working as expected in Python to press Windows + D key

I’m trying to do what this question asked (this question has no valid answers with functional code using pynput): Press Windows+D with pynput. But, my attempts are not working as expected.

On Linux Ubuntu, pressing Windows + d will minimize all windows, thereby showing the desktop. Doing it again will bring all the windows back as they were.

Here’s my code:

import time

from pynput.keyboard import Key, Controller

keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd

keyboard.press(SUPER_KEY)
# time.sleep(1)
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
keyboard.release(SUPER_KEY)

When I run it, I expect the Windows + d shortcut to be pressed, hiding all windows. Instead, only the Windows key is pressed, which brings up the program launcher search tool, and then a single d is left printed in my terminal, like this:

$ ./pynput_press_Windows+D_to_show_the_desktop.py 
$ d

How do I get this to work?

The reference documentation says (https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html) that Key.cmd is the "Super" or "Windows" key. I’ve also tried with Key.cmd_l and Key.cmd_r.

cmd = 0

A generic command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.

cmd_l = 0

The left command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.

cmd_r = 0

The right command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.

Update 4 June 2023: keyboard monitor test program, to ensure Key.cmd + d is correct for my keyboard (it is): modified from https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html#monitoring-the-keyboard:

from pynput import keyboard

print("Keyboard monitor demo program. Press Esc to exit.")

def on_press(key):
    try:
        print('alphanumeric key {0} pressed'.format(
            key.char))
    except AttributeError:
        print('special key {0} pressed'.format(
            key))

def on_release(key):
    print('{0} released'.format(
        key))
    if key == keyboard.Key.esc:
        # Stop listener
        print("Exiting the program.")
        return False

# Collect events until released
with keyboard.Listener(
        on_press=on_press,
        on_release=on_release) as listener:
    listener.join()

Sample output when I press Super + D:

$ ./pynput_monitor_keyboard.py 
Keyboard monitor demo program. Press Esc to exit.
Key.enter released
special key Key.cmd pressed
alphanumeric key d pressed
'd' released
Key.cmd released