how to homerow mod

[kbilsted]

The default kanata.kbd is an overwhelming introduction to the application! I tried instead the minimal example (https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/cfg_samples/minimal.kbd)

I could get the caps-lock to work but not the cursor movements

Since what I want is to use f as the mod key rather than the grv, I changed the configuration to below.. But it is not working. More specifially, if I tap f it should type f if f is combined with other characters it should do the action inside the arrows layer

(defcfg
  process-unmapped-keys yes
)

(defsrc
  caps             i
    f         j    k    l
  lsft rsft
)

(deflayer default
  @cap             _
    f         _    _    _
  _    _
)

(deflayer arrows
  _    _           up
              left down rght
  _    _
)

(defalias
  cap (tap-hold-press 200 200 caps lctl)
  f (tap-hold-press 200 200 f (layer-toggle arrows))
)

[jtroo]

Solution: use @f in the default layer.

Suggested reading:

• https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#aliases-and-variables
• https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc
• Homerow modifiers #newbie #718

[kbilsted]

Many thanks for the quick reply. I have finally understood more of the topic of remoding through this guide https://github.com/lydell/dual/tree/c762ed4133c04e463c12f6ee236a3ccc061928dd?tab=readme-ov-file#dualcombinedownkey-upkey-settingsfalse-combinatorsfalse . Given it is abandoned, I think this project could benefit from quoting large portions of the text. It explains the concepts of timeouts etc. adjusting the timeouts etc.

with your suggestion I got a minimum example working

(defcfg
  process-unmapped-keys yes
)

(defsrc
                   i
    f         j    k    l
)

(deflayer default
                   _
    @f        _    _    _
)

(deflayer arrows
                    up
   _           left down rght
)

(defalias
  f (tap-hold-press 200 200 f (layer-toggle arrows))
)

It works when I type slowly, but I can see even typing this small reply, I run into problems with the cursor moving I guess there is a roll-over effect for not letting go of the f-key soon enough. Perhaps it is a matter of adjusting some of the timeouts?

I was contemplating using ALT and AltGr instead for defining. But then I run into another set o problems with getting alt-tab running. I follow your guide https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#multi meaning ALL my keys in my two alt-layers are being define with xx (multi (release-key alt) xx) but perhaps guidance on this should be placed in another thread..

[jtroo]

tap-hold-press is a tap-hold variant that is not really appropriate for use on keys used for regular typing. For home row mods you probably want tap-hold or tap-hold-release to start with.

https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#tap-hold

[kbilsted]

Many thanks for the quick reply. I had no idea that was the case. I did not see that in the guide i followed. Would you be willing to help me set things up for me, perhaps over some chat or voice service? In return I write some documentation to help others getting started on their modding journey?

I am also interested in doing an ALT and AltGr each of which opens a new layer. Perhaps also changing the Caps-lock into Alt - to preserve alt-tab functionality without too much hassle. I am facing some weird behaviour when using AltGr that I don't using Alt. Also I use Alt key more than i imagined.

[jtroo]

AltGr behaviour:

https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#windows-only-windows-altgr

[kbilsted]

Thanks for the hint of windows-altgr add-lctl-release I was alreay using that, but I can see I never showed you my configuration for the altgr attempt. I have place the full config here https://github.com/kbilsted/kanata/blob/red-blue/kbg/kanata.kbd