Help with a layer

[emadb]

I created this layer to use i,j,k,l as arrows when caps_lock is held:

layer('caps_lock', 'mod-layer')
  .manipulators([
    map('i').to('up_arrow'), 
    map('j').to('left_arrow'), 
    map('k').to('down_arrow'), 
    map('l').to('right_arrow'),
  ]),

It works perfectly.

Now I would like that pressing a while caps_lock is held the arrows can select text (a should map left_shift) to mimic the behaviour of SHIFT+Arrows to select.

I tried different ways (condition, rules, etc...) but I can't find the correct configuration.

[evan-liu]

There are a few options:

• duoLayer() (one of the keys can be released once the layer is triggered)
• modifierLayer()
• pass modifiers to layer

Please let me know if any of them help.

[emadb]

I try without succeed, but probably I didn't explain with enough details.
My actual config is this:

simlayer('spacebar', 'mod-layer', 500)
  .options({
    key_down_order: 'strict',
  })
  .manipulators([
    map('a').to('left_shift'),               
    map('s').to('left_control'), 
    map('d').to('left_option'),  
    map('f').to('left_command'),            
  ]),

  layer('caps_lock', 'nav-layer')
  .configKey((v) => v.toIfAlone('escape'), true)
  .manipulators([
    map('i').to('up_arrow'), 
    map('j').to('left_arrow'), 
    map('k').to('down_arrow'), 
    map('l').to('right_arrow')
  ]),

I have two layers: one the modifiers (ASDF) and another for the arrows (IJKL)

Sometimes is useful to use SHIFT-Arrows to select text but my two layers are mutually exclusive. I would like to use space+A+L to select text on the right (emulate SHIFT-Right Arrow).

I know that with plain karabiner (JSON file) is possible but I cant' replicate with the DSL of Karabiner.ts

thank you

[evan-liu]

If you want to press space+A at the same time to trigger a layer, on which i,j,k,l map to selecting, you can use duoLayer:

  duoLayer('␣', 'a').manipulators({
    h: toKey('←', '⇧'),
    j: toKey('↓', '⇧'),
    k: toKey('↑', '⇧'),
    l: toKey('→', '⇧'),
  }),

If you want to press space first to trigger mod-layer, while holding the space, use a as shift when using i,j,k,l, you can try:

  simlayer('spacebar', 'mod-layer', 500)
    .options({
      key_down_order: 'strict',
    })
    .manipulators([
      map('a').to('left_shift'),
      map('s').to('left_control'),
      map('d').to('left_option'),
      map('f').to('left_command'),

      map('h', '⇧').to('←', '⇧'),
      map('j', '⇧').to('↓', '⇧'),
      map('k', '⇧').to('↑', '⇧'),
      map('l', '⇧').to('→', '⇧'),
    ]),

If you want to press caps lock to trigger nav-layer first, instead of space / mod-layer, you can try:

  // **Note** Needs to be before
  // layer('caps_lock', 'nav-layer')
  layer('a', 'nav-select-layer')
    .condition(ifVar('nav-layer')) // `mod-layer` could also work
    .manipulators({
      h: toKey('←', '⇧'),
      j: toKey('↓', '⇧'),
      k: toKey('↑', '⇧'),
      l: toKey('→', '⇧'),
    }),
   
  // **Note** `nav-layer` needs to go after `nav-select-layer`

Let me know if it helps. If not, would it be possible for you to create a plain Karabiner JSON that explains what you need?

[emadb]

The first option with duoLayer works, the config becomes a little bit repetitive but I think I could refactor it to keep it readable and compact.

The vanilla Karabiner configuration that used to work is this:

"rules": [
{
    "description": "CAPS LOCK + l to arrow keys",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "name": "caps_lock pressed",
                    "type": "variable_if",
                    "value": 1
                }
            ],
            "from": {
                "key_code": "l",
                "modifiers": { "optional": [ "any" ]
                }
            },
            "to": [ { "key_code": "right_arrow" }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        },
        {
            "from": {
                "key_code": "caps_lock",
                "modifiers": { "optional": [ "any" ] }
            },
            "to": [
                {
                    "set_variable": {
                        "name": "caps_lock pressed",
                        "value": 1
                    }
                }
            ],
            "to_after_key_up": [
                {
                    "set_variable": {
                        "name": "caps_lock pressed",
                        "value": 0
                    }
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
},
{
    "description": "CAPS LOCK + a Shift",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "name": "caps_lock pressed",
                    "type": "variable_if",
                    "value": 1
                }
            ],
            "from": {
                "key_code": "a",
                "modifiers": { "optional": [ "any" ] }
            },
            "to": [{ "key_code": "left_shift" }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}
]

I simplify it (it is just caps lock, A and L) so it is readable.
They are just two manipulators that works in parallel.

Is there a way, with karabiner.ts to cascade the layers and let a key pass into different layers?

[evan-liu]

This produces similar JSON (try it at playground):

  layer('⇪', 'caps_lock pressed')
    .modifiers('??')
    .manipulators({
      l: toKey('→'),
      a: toKey('‹⇧'),
    }),

Does it work?

[evan-liu]

I think the key part is layer().modifiers('??'), which makes the modifiers (⇧ in this case, mapped from a) pass through.

[evan-liu]

It is a simple and elegant way to select, I've changed my own config. Thanks 😄

[emadb]

Thank you, it works perfectly. I didn't know about the special chars ?? and ‹⇧.

[evan-liu]

If you like them, putting them on a layer will be very useful. My layer is like

[
  withMapper({ 4: '⇥', 5: '⎋', 6: '⌘', 7: '⌥', 8: '⌃', 9: '⇧', 0: '⇪' })(
    (k, v) => map(k).toPaste(v),
  ),
  withMapper(['←', '→', '↑', '↓', '␣', '⏎', '⌫', '⌦'])((k) =>
    map(k).toPaste(k),
  ),
  { ',': toPaste('‹'), '.': toPaste('›') },
]