Pablo’s Karabiner modifications

Introduction

This is a literate configuration for my keyboard setup: a pair of split mechanical keyboards combined with an extensive software remapping layer on macOS. The system gives me access to symbols, diacritics, navigation, deletion commands, app launching, media controls, and more—all without leaving the home row.

The configuration has two layers:

Keyboard firmware (QMK): maps the thumb keys to specific modifier keycodes (see firmware configuration). Everything else on the keyboard stays as standard QWERTY.
Karabiner + Goku: handles all the complex behavior—dual-function keys (tap vs. hold), simlayers, app-specific rules, Unicode character input, and deep Emacs integration.

This separation keeps the firmware simple and portable: the same Karabiner configuration works with both of my keyboards, and could work with any keyboard that sends the right modifier keycodes from its thumb keys.

Hardware

I alternate between two split keyboards:

Corne (crkbd): a 3x5+3 split keyboard—three rows of five keys per side, plus three thumb keys per side. 36 keys total.
ZSA Moonlander: a larger split keyboard with a full alpha block, number row, and a thumb cluster. I use only the alpha keys and thumb cluster; the rest is inert.

Both run QMK firmware. The Corne uses the corne_rotated variant with the LAYOUT_split_3x5_3 matrix.

I use the same layout on the built-in MacBook keyboard. The six keys on the bottom row—left control, left option, left command, space, right command, and right option—correspond to the six thumb keys from left to right. No firmware configuration is needed: these keys already send the expected keycodes natively.

Firmware configuration

The firmware does almost nothing. The alpha keys are standard QWERTY, and the six thumb keys send modifier keycodes:

Position	Keycode	VIA name	QMK equivalent
Left outer	`left_control`	Left Ctrl	`KC_LCTL`
Left middle	`left_option`	Left Alt	`KC_LALT`
Left inner	`left_command`	Left Win	`KC_LGUI`
Right inner	`spacebar`	Space	`KC_SPC`
Right middle	`right_command`	Right Win	`KC_RGUI`
Right outer	`right_option`	Right Alt	`KC_RALT`

These keycodes don’t do what their names suggest. They’re just handles for Karabiner to intercept and redefine. The actual behavior of each key is determined entirely in software (see individual bindings).

Setup steps

Step 1: configure the keyboard firmware

If you have a normal keyboard (no programmable thumb keys), skip to step 2. The MacBook’s built-in keyboard already sends the right keycodes from its bottom-row modifier keys, so no firmware step is needed.

If you have a split or ergonomic keyboard with programmable thumb keys, use the keyboard’s firmware to map the thumb keys as follows. The alpha keys should remain standard QWERTY; only the thumb keys need to be changed.

position	keycode to send	VIA name	QMK equivalent
left outer	`left_control`	Left Ctrl	`KC_LCTL`
left middle	`left_option`	Left Alt	`KC_LALT`
left inner	`left_command`	Left Win	`KC_LGUI`
right inner	`spacebar`	Space	`KC_SPC`
right middle	`right_command`	Right Win	`KC_RGUI`
right outer	`right_option`	Right Alt	`KC_RALT`

Option A: VIA (easiest, no install required):

Open usevia.app in Chrome (requires WebHID support).
Plug in the keyboard via USB. It should auto-detect; if not, your keyboard may need VIA support enabled in its firmware, or you may need to load a JSON definition file from the manufacturer.
Click on each thumb key and assign the keycodes shown above. In VIA’s keycode picker, they are labeled Left Ctrl, Left Alt, Left Win, Space, Right Win, and Right Alt.
Changes take effect immediately—no compiling or flashing needed.
For split keyboards, only one half needs to be connected via USB; the other half communicates via the TRRS cable.

Option B: QMK Configurator (if VIA is not supported):

Go to QMK Configurator and select your keyboard.
Set the alpha keys to standard QWERTY and the thumb keys as shown above (QMK uses PC naming: Alt = Option, GUI = Command).
You do not need any firmware layers—Karabiner handles everything.
Click “Compile”, then “Download firmware” to get the .hex file.
Install QMK Toolbox (brew install --cask qmk-toolbox).
Open QMK Toolbox, load the .hex file, and enable “Auto-Flash”.
Put the keyboard into bootloader mode (typically by double-tapping the reset button on the controller). QMK Toolbox should print “Caterina device connected” (for Pro Micro) or “DFU device connected” (for Elite-C) and begin flashing automatically.
For split keyboards, flash each half separately: connect USB to one half at a time (without the TRRS cable), flash it, then do the same for the other half. Only one half should be connected to the computer via USB during normal use; the two halves communicate via the TRRS cable.

Once configured, verify the keyboard appears in Karabiner-Elements > Devices and that its vendor ID matches the :devices section of this config.

Step 2: install Karabiner and Goku

Install Karabiner-Elements.
Install Goku.
Clone this repo and load the config in dotfiles/karabiner/karabiner.edn.

Note on editing

The karabiner.edn file is generated by ”tangling” the code blocks in the modifications.org file, which is the file you are currently reading. If you use Emacs and would like to play around with my config, you may want to edit this file and tangle it, instead of editing karabiner.edn directly.

Introduction
Main
- Individual bindings
  - In Emacs
  - Outside Emacs
- Layers
Summary

Profiles

It seems that there is no way to set the relevant delay for a simlayer, so the only alternative is to recreate the spacebar simlayer functionality as a series of individual modifications. Then the delay would, I believe, be controlled by the sim variable (since spacebar + each of the keys it currently modifies in the simlayer would be considered simultaneous key presses).

{
:profiles {
           :Default {:default true

alone

alone (to_if_alone_timeout_miliseconds): if a key is held for at least this long, releasing it will not trigger its alone mapping.

Example:

{:des "caps -> escape (alone) left_option (held)"
 :rules [
         [:##caps_lock :left_option nil {:alone :escape}]
         ]}

If caps_lock is held for at least 100 miliseconds, it will not trigger escape.

:alone   200

held

held (to_if_held_down_threshold_miliseconds): if a key is held for at least this long, it will trigger its held mapping.

:held    350

delay

delay (to_delayed_action_delay_miliseconds): for rules defining some behavior when a succession of two keys is pressed, the second key will trigger the behavior if pressed within this many miliseconds after the first key. I haven’t defined any such rules, so the value below has no effect on my configuration.

:delay   300

sim

sim (simultaneous_threshold_miliseconds): keys need to be pressed within these many miliseconds to be considered simultaneous. This doesn’t apply to modifier keys, but to “normal” keys (e.g. q + k to launch Karabiner).

:sim   150

simlayer threshold

:simlayer-threshold 250}}

Tos

:tos {
      ;; macOS
      :⇧ {:key :left_shift}
      :⌘ {:key :left_command}
      :⌥ {:key :left_option}
      :⌃ {:key :left_control}
      :🌐 {:key :fn}
      :⌘⌃ {:key :Cleft_control}

      ;; Emacs
      :S- {:key :left_shift}
      :A- {:key :right_command}
      :C- {:key :left_control}
      :H- {:key :left_command}
      :M- {:key :left_option}
      :s- {:key :right_control}
      :A-C- {:key :!Qleft_control}
      :A-H- {:key :!Qleft_command}
      :A-M- {:key :!Qleft_option}
      :A-s- {:key :!Qright_control}

      ;; symbols
      :exclamation_mark {:key :!S1}
      :at_sign {:key :!S2}
      :number_sign {:key :!S3}
      :dollar_sign {:key :!S4}
      :percent_sign {:key :!S5}
      :caret {:key :!S6}
      :ampersand {:key :!S7}
      :asterisk {:key :!S8}
      :open_parenthesis {:key :!S9}
      :close_parenthesis {:key :!S0}
      :underscore {:key :!Shyphen}
      :plus_sign {:key :!Sequal_sign}
      :open_brace {:key :!Sopen_bracket}
      :close_brace {:key :!Sclose_bracket}
      :vertical_bar {:key :!Sbackslash}
      :double_quote {:key :!Squote}
      :open_double_quote {:key :!Eopen_bracket}
      :close_double_quote {:key :!SEopen_bracket}
      :open_single_quote {:key :!Eclose_bracket}
      :close_single_quote {:key :!SEclose_bracket}
      :tilde {:key :!Sgrave_accent_and_tilde}
      :en_dash {:key :!Ehyphen}
      :em_dash {:key :!SEhyphen}

      ;; diacritics
      ;; note that many of the mappings below require ABC - Extended as the macOS input source
      :overdot {:key :!Ew}
      :underdot {:key :!Ex}
      :accute_accent {:key :!Ee}
      :double_acute_accent {:key :!Ej}
      :grave_accent {:key :!Egrave_accent_and_tilde}
      :umlaut {:key :!Eu}
      :undercomma {:key :!Ep}
      :underbar {:key :!Eh}
      :macron {:key :!Ea}
      :breve {:key :!Eb}
      :hook {:key :!Ez}
      :horn {:key :!Ei}
      :circumflex {:key :!E6}
      :cedilla {:key :!Ec}
      :overring {:key :!Ek}
      :stroke {:key :!El}
      :caron {:key :!Ev}
      :ogonek {:key :!Em}
      :tilde_accent {:key :!En}

      ;; “special” chars
      :ø {:key :!Eo}
      :œ {:key :!Eq}
      :ß {:key :!Es}
      :ð {:key :!Ed}
      :þ {:key :!Et}
      :¡ {:key :!E1}
      :¿ {:key :!ESslash}
      :« {:key :!Ebackslash}
      :» {:key :!SEbackslash}
      :• {:key :!O8}
      :£ {:key :!E3}
      :€ {:key :!ES2}
      :… {:key :!Esemicolon}

      ;; math
      := {:key :equal_sign}
      :+ {:key :!Sequal_sign}
      :≠ {:key :!Eequal_sign}
      :÷ {:key :!Eslash}
      :± {:key :!ESequal_sign}
      :≤ {:key :!Ecomma}
      :≥ {:key :!Eperiod}
      :° {:key :!ES8}
      :· {:key :!ES9}
      }

Modifiers

:modifiers {
            ;; macOS
            :⇧ [:left_shift]
            :⌘ [:left_command]
            :⌥ [:left_option]
            :⌃ [:left_control]
            :⇧⌘ [:left_shift :left_command]
            :⇧⌥ [:left_shift :left_option]
            :⇧⌃ [:left_shift :left_control]
            :⌘⌥ [:left_command :left_option]
            :⌘⌃ [:left_command :left_control]
            :⌥⌃ [:left_option :left_control]
            :⇧⌘⌥ [:left_shift :left_command :left_option]
            :⇧⌘⌃ [:left_shift :left_command :left_control]
            :⇧⌥⌃ [:left_shift :left_option :left_control]
            :⌘⌥⌃ [:left_command :left_option :left_control]
            :⇧⌘⌥⌃ [:left_shift :left_command :left_option :left_control]

            ;; Emacs
            :S- [:left_shift]
            :A- [:right_command]
            :C- [:left_control]
            :H- [:left_command]
            :M- [:left_option]
            :s- [:right_control]
            :A-C- [:right_command :left_control]
            :A-H- [:right_command :left_command]
            :A-M- [:right_command :left_option]
            :A-s- [:right_command :right_control]
            :C-H- [:left_control :left_command]
            :C-M- [:left_control :left_option]
            :C-s- [:left_control :right_control]
            :H-M- [:left_command :left_option]
            :H-s- [:left_command :right_control]
            :M-s- [:left_option :right_control]
            :A-C-H- [:right_command :left_control :left_command]
            :A-C-M- [:right_command :left_control :left_option]
            :A-C-s- [:right_command :left_control :right_control]
            :A-H-M- [:right_command :left_command :left_option]
            :A-H-s- [:right_command :left_command :right_control]
            :A-M-s- [:right_command :left_option :right_control]
            :C-H-M- [:left_control :left_command :left_option]
            :C-H-s- [:left_control :left_command :right_control]
            :C-M-s- [:left_control :left_option :right_control]
            :H-M-s- [:left_command :left_option :right_control]
            :A-C-H-M- [:right_command :left_control :left_command :left_option]
            :A-C-H-s- [:right_command :left_control :left_command :right_control]
            :A-C-M-s- [:right_control :left_control :right_command :left_option]
            :A-H-M-s- [:right_command :left_command :left_option :right_control]
            :C-H-M-s- [:left_control :left_command :left_option :right_control]
            }

Applications

:applications {
               :anki ["net.ankiweb.dtop"]
               :chrome ["com.google.Chrome"]
               :emacs ["org.gnu.Emacs"]
               :firefox ["org.mozilla.firefox"]
               :safari ["com.apple.Safari"]
               :steam [:paths ".*/Application Support/Steam.*"]
               }

Devices

:devices {
         :corne [{:vendor_id 7504} {:vendor_id 18003}]
         :moonlander [{:vendor_id 12951}]
         }

Layers

:layers {
         }

Simlayers

:simlayers {
            :b-mode {:key :b}
            :k-mode {:key :k}
            :j-mode {:key :j}
            :m-mode {:key :m}
            :p-mode {:key :p}
            :q-mode {:key :q}
            :v-mode {:key :v}
            :x-mode {:key :x :condi :emacs}
            :y-mode {:key :y}
            :z-mode {:key :z}
            :comma-mode {:key :comma :condi :emacs}
            :period-mode {:key :period}
            :semicolon-mode {:key :semicolon}
            :slash-mode {:key :slash}
            }

Templates

:templates {:alfred "osascript -e 'tell application \"Alfred 4\" to run trigger \"%s\" in workflow \"%s\" with argument \"%s\"'"
            :open "open \"%s\""
            :insert "~/My Drive/dotfiles/bin/char_input \"%s\""
            }

Note that the :insert template inserts an arbitrary character by calling a bash script that in turn calls an AppleScript. There may be a simpler way of doing this, but that’s how I managed to do it. Here are the scripts I’m using:

#!/bin/bash
osascript $HOME/Library/Scripts/inputCharacter.scpt "$1"

on run argv
    set the clipboard to (item 1 of argv)
    tell application "System Events"
        keystroke "v" using {command down}
    end tell
end run

Main

:main [

Individual bindings

Every thumb key has two roles: one when tapped, another when held. These roles change depending on whether the active application is Emacs.

In Emacs

Thumb key	Tap	Hold	Emacs modifier
`left_control`	`C-g` (quit)	`M-`	Meta
`left_option`	`RET`	`S-`	Shift
`left_command`	`C-H-0` (toggle windows)	`H-`	Hyper
`spacebar`	`⌘Tab` (toggle apps)	`C-`	Control
`right_command`	`SPC`	`A-`	Alt (in combos)
`right_option`	`TAB`	`s-`	Super

The right_command key is special: on its own it always sends spacebar (both tapped and held), but when held simultaneously with another thumb key, it activates the A- (Alt) modifier in Emacs. The five combinations are:

Combination	Emacs modifier
`right_command` + `left_command`	`A-H-`
`right_command` + `left_option`	`A-`
`right_command` + `spacebar`	`A-C-`
`right_command` + `left_control`	`A-M-`
`right_command` + `right_option`	`A-s-`

With six independent Emacs modifiers (A-, C-, H-, M-, S-, s-), I have a vast keybinding space. Multi-modifier combinations like A-C-H-M-s- (all five non-Shift modifiers at once) are possible and used in practice, giving me access to thousands of unique Emacs bindings from a 36-key keyboard.

The simlayers extend this further. Each simlayer key, when held, maps to a specific multi-modifier combination in Emacs. For example, holding , activates the A-H-M- prefix, so , + s sends A-H-M-s (bound to simple-extras-transpose-chars-backward). This turns each simlayer into a dedicated command palette:

Simlayer key	Emacs modifier	Function
`b`	`C-H-`	Window sizing
`j`	`C-H-M-`	Deletion
`x`	`C-H-s-`	Avy jump
`z`	`A-C-s-`	Cursor movement
`,`	`A-H-M-`	Transposition
`.`	`A-C-H-`	Text manipulation
`/`	`C-H-M-s-`	Org-mode commands

The remaining simlayers (k, m, p, q, v, y, ;) don’t use Emacs modifier prefixes—they insert characters directly or control the mouse.

Outside Emacs

Thumb key	Tap	Hold
`left_control`	`Escape`	`⌥`
`left_option`	`Enter`	`⇧`
`left_command`	`⌘⌃0` (toggle tabs)	`⌘`
`spacebar`	`⌘Tab` (toggle apps)	`⌃`
`right_command`	`Spacebar`	—
`right_option`	`Tab`	`⌥`

The spacebar key also has a combination effect outside Emacs: pressing left_command + spacebar triggers ⌘` (move focus to next window of the current app—e.g. the next browser window if more than one window is open).

`left_control`

Tapped: C-g (quit) in Emacs, Escape outside. Held: M- (Meta) in Emacs, Option outside. Two special rules intercept ⌘h and ⌘⌥h (which macOS normally uses to hide windows) and remap them to Emacs-compatible modifier chords.

{:des "left_control → C-g/Escape (alone) | M-/⌥ (held)"
 :rules [
         [:!Ch {:modi :A-H-M-s- :key :h} :emacs]
         [:!CQh {:modi :A-C-H-s- :key :h} :emacs]
         [:##left_control :M- [:!steam :emacs] {:alone {:modi :C- :key :g}}]
         [:##left_control :⌥ [:!steam :!emacs] {:alone :escape}]
         ]}

`left_option`

Tapped: return (which I bind to toggling between recent windows or tabs). Held: S- (Shift) in Emacs, Shift outside. Since this key now serves double duty as both Shift and Return, the combination Shift+Return is no longer directly available. A workaround binds left_option + right_command (i.e. Shift + spacebar) to Shift+Enter.

{:des "left_option → RET (alone) | S-/⇧ (held)"
 :rules [
         [:##left_option :S- :emacs {:alone :return_or_enter}]
         [:##left_option :⇧ :!emacs {:alone :return_or_enter}]
         [:!Sright_command {:modi :⇧ :key :return_or_enter}]
         ]}

`left_command`

When tapped, toggles between the two most recent windows (in Emacs) or tabs (in a browser). In Emacs, C-H-0 is bound to window-extras-switch-to-last-window. In Chrome and Firefox, I use the CLUT and Last Tab extensions with ⌘⌃0 as the shortcut.

{:des "left_command → other window/tab (alone) | H-/⌘ (held)"
 :rules [
         [:##left_command :H- :emacs {:alone {:modi :C-H- :key :0}}]
         [:##left_command :⌘ :!emacs {:alone {:modi :⌘⌃ :key :0}}]
         ]}

`spacebar`

Tapped: ⌘Tab (switch apps). Held: C- (Control) in Emacs, ⌃ outside. When tapped while the command key is held, toggles between buffers (in Emacs) or moves focus to the next window (outside Emacs).

{:des "spacebar → ⌘Tab (alone) | C-/⌃ (held)"
 :rules [
         [:!Cspacebar {:modi :A-H-M-s- :key :spacebar} :emacs]
         [:##spacebar :C- :emacs {:alone {:modi :⌘ :key :tab}}]
         [:!Cspacebar {:modi :⌘ :key :grave_accent_and_tilde} :!emacs]
         [:##spacebar :⌃ :!emacs {:alone {:modi :⌘ :key :tab}}]
         ]}

`right_command`

On its own, right_command always sends spacebar—both tapped and held, both in and outside Emacs. Its special role is as a modifier combiner: when held simultaneously with another thumb key in Emacs, it activates the A- (Alt) modifier, creating two-modifier chords. This is what gives me access to the sixth Emacs modifier without a dedicated physical key for it.

{:des "right_command modifier combinations"
 :rules [
         [[:right_command :left_command] :A-H- :emacs {:alone {:modi :A- :key :spacebar}}]
         [[:right_command :left_option] :A- :emacs]
         [[:right_command :spacebar] :A-C- :emacs]
         [[:right_command :left_control] :A-M- :emacs]
         [[:right_command :right_option] :A-s- :emacs]
         ]}

{:des "right_command → spacebar"
 :rules [
         [:##right_command :spacebar]
         ]}

`right_option`

Tapped: Tab. Held: s- (Super) in Emacs, Option outside.

{:des "right_option → Tab (alone) | s-/⌥ (held)"
 :rules [
         [:##right_option :s- :emacs {:alone :tab}]
         [:##right_option :⌥ :!emacs {:alone :tab}]
         ]}

mouse

My Logitech MX Anywhere 3S mouse does not have a tilting wheel, so I remap the side buttons to trigger the relevant tab navigation shortcuts when pressed while the shift key is held.

{:des "left_shift + side mouse buttons → navigate open tabs"
 :rules [
         [{:pkey :button4 :modi :left_shift} :!COleft_arrow]
         [{:pkey :button5 :modi :left_shift} :!COright_arrow]
         ]}

Note that for these “extra” mouse buttons to be detected by Karabiner, you may need to enable the relevant device in the “Devices” section.

Layers

Simlayers are the most distinctive feature of this setup. A simlayer activates when you hold down a specific key and press another key simultaneously. Unlike traditional layers that require a dedicated layer-switch key, simlayers let any regular typing key double as a layer trigger—the key still types its letter on a normal tap, but holding it down and pressing a second key activates the layer.

I have 14 simlayers, each triggered by a different home-row or common key. The letter keys used as triggers are chosen from the least frequent letters in English, minimizing accidental activations during normal typing:

Key	Frequency	Function
`z`	0.074%	Navigation
`q`	0.095%	App launcher
`x`	0.15%	Avy jump
`j`	0.15%	Deletion
`k`	0.77%	Special chars
`v`	0.98%	Numbers
`b`	1.5%	Media/windows
`p`	1.9%	Diacritics
`y`	2.0%	Mouse/screenshots
`m`	2.4%	Math symbols

(Source: English letter frequency on Wikipedia.)

The remaining four simlayers use punctuation keys: , (transposition), . (text manipulation), ; (symbols), and / (Org-mode).

`b-mode`: media/windows

Hold b for media controls and window sizing. The right-hand top row keys control window placement (via Emacs Lisp commands in Emacs, or via Rectangle otherwise), the home row keys control playback, and the bottom row keys control volume. h and n control dictation and narration, respectively (the keyboard shortcuts need to be set under Settings > Keyboard > Dictation > Shortcut for dictation, and Settings > Accessibility > Spoken content > Speak selection for narration).

{:des "b-mode (media controls, window sizing)"
 :rules [:b-mode
         [:u {:modi :C-H- :key :u} :emacs]
         [:u {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :u}]
         [:p {:modi :C-H- :key :p} :emacs]
         [:p {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :p}]
         [:i {:modi :C-H- :key :i} :emacs]
         [:i {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :i}]
         [:o {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :o}]
         [:j :rewind]
         [:x {:modi :⇧⌘⌃ :key :3}]
         [:k :play_or_pause]
         [:semicolon :fast_forward]
         [:comma :volume_increment]
         [:period :volume_decrement]
         [:m :mute]
         [:c {:modi :C-M-s- :key :c} :emacs]
         [:g {:modi :C-M-s- :key :g} :emacs]
         [:h {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :0}]
         [:n {:modi :⇧⌘⌥⌃ :key :1}]
         ]}

`k-mode`: special characters

Hold k to type characters from various European languages and typographic symbols (eth, thorn, sharp s, guillemets, interrobang, etc.).

{:des "k-mode (special chars)"
 :rules [:k-mode
         [:d :ð]
         [:e :…]
         [:i :¿]
         [:j [:insert "⸘"]]
         [:k [:insert "‽"]]
         [:o :ø]
         [:p :£]
         [:q :œ]
         [:r :€]
         [:s :ß]
         [:t :þ]
         [:u :•]
         [:slash :¡]
         [:comma :«]
         [:period :»]
         ]}

`j-mode`: deletion

Hold j for deletion commands. Outside Emacs, the keys map to standard macOS editing shortcuts (e.g. s for backspace, d for delete forward, q for delete word backward, w for delete to line start, e for delete to line end). In Emacs, each key triggers a dedicated deletion function via the C-H-M- modifier prefix, covering characters, words, sentences, sexps, and more.

{:des "j-mode (deletion)"
 :rules [:j-mode
         [:a {:modi :C-H-M- :key :a} :emacs]
         [:s {:modi :C-H-M- :key :s} :emacs]
         [:s :delete_or_backspace :!emacs]
         [:d {:modi :C-H-M- :key :d} :emacs]
         [:d :delete_forward :!emacs]
         [:f {:modi :C-H-M- :key :f} :emacs]
         [:q {:modi :C-H-M- :key :q} :emacs]
         [:q {:modi :⌥ :key :delete_or_backspace} :!emacs]
         [:w {:modi :C-H-M- :key :w} :emacs]
         [:w {:modi :⌘ :key :delete_or_backspace} :!emacs]
         [:e {:modi :C-H-M- :key :e} :emacs]
         [:e {:modi :⌃ :key :k} :!emacs]
         [:r {:modi :C-H-M- :key :r} :emacs]
         [:r {:modi :⌥ :key :delete_forward} :!emacs]
         [:z {:modi :C-H-M- :key :z} :emacs]
         [:z {:modi :⌘ :key :delete_or_backspace} :!emacs]
         [:x {:modi :C-H-M- :key :x} :emacs]
         [:x {:modi :⌘⌥ :key :left_arrow} :!emacs]
         [:c {:modi :C-H-M- :key :c} :emacs]
         [:c {:modi :⌘⌥ :key :right_arrow} :!emacs]
         [:v {:modi :C-H-M- :key :v} :emacs]
         [:v {:modi :⌘ :key :delete_forward} :!emacs]
         [:b {:modi :C-H-M- :key :b} :emacs]
         [:t {:modi :C-H-M- :key :t} :emacs]
         [:t :home :!emacs]
         [:g {:modi :C-H-M- :key :g} :emacs]
         [:g :end :!emacs]
         ]}

`m-mode`: math symbols

Hold m for mathematical operators. Some of these characters have native Option+key shortcuts on the ABC Extended input source. The rest are inserted via a shell command that copies the character to the clipboard and pastes it with ⌘V. This means that using them will overwrite whatever is currently on the clipboard.

{:des "m-mode (math symbols)"
 :rules [:m-mode
         [:e :=]
         [:p :+]
         [:q :≠]
         [:d :÷]
         [:o :±]
         [:x [:insert "×"]]
         [:comma :≤]
         [:period :≥]
         [:a [:insert "≈"]]
         [:i [:insert "∞"]]
         [:s [:insert "−"]]
         [:t :·]
         [:g :°]
         [:r [:insert "√"]]
         [:c [:insert "π"]]
         ]}

[#4] Fix `m-mode` problems

E.g. “me” sometimes inserts =

`p-mode`: diacritics

Hold p to add a diacritical mark to the next character you type. This uses macOS’s “ABC - Extended” input source. For example, typing p + e then e produces é; typing p + u then o produces ö.

{:des "p-mode (diacritics)"
 :rules [:p-mode
         [:a :macron]
         [:b :breve]
         [:c :cedilla]
         [:e :accute_accent]
         [:g :undercomma]
         [:h :underbar]
         [:i :horn]
         [:j :double_acute_accent]
         [:k :overring]
         [:l :stroke]
         [:m :ogonek]
         [:n :tilde_accent]
         [:r :grave_accent]
         [:u :umlaut]
         [:v :caron]
         [:w :underdot]
         [:x :overdot]
         [:y :circumflex]
         [:z :hook]
         ]}

`q-mode`: apps

Hold q to open an application. 20+ applications are mapped. The letter choices are mnemonic where possible (e.g. e for Emacs, f for Firefox, t for Terminal).

{:des "q-mode (apps)"
 :rules [:q-mode
         [:b [:open "/Applications/qBitTorrent.app"]]
         [:c [:open "/Applications/Audacity.app"]]
         [:d [:open "/System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app"]]
         [:e [:open "/Applications/Emacs.app"]]
         [:f [:open "/Applications/Firefox.app"]]
         [:g [:open "/Applications/GoldenDict-ng.app"]]
         [:h [:open "/Applications/Google Chrome.app"]]
         [:i [:open "/Applications/Anki.app"]]
         [:j [:open "/System/Applications/System Settings.app"]]
         [:l [:open "/Applications/DeepL.app"]]
         [:m [:open "/Applications/Media Center 29.app"]]
         [:o [:open "/Applications/zoom.us.app"]]
         [:p [:open "/Applications/Beeper Desktop.app"]]
         [:r [:open "/Applications/Karabiner-Elements.app"]]
         [:s [:open "/Applications/Slack.app"]]
         [:t [:open "/System/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app"]]
         [:v [:open "/Applications/mpv.app"]]
         [:w [:open "/Applications/HoudahSpot.app"]]
         [:x [:open "/Applications/Plex Media Server.app/"]]
         [:y [:open "/Applications/Spotify.app"]]
         [:comma [:open "/Applications/Home Assistant.app"]]
         [:period [:open "/Applications/Tor Browser.app"]]
         [:slash [:open "/Applications/Safari.app"]]
         ]}

`v-mode`: numbers

Hold v to turn the right hand into a numpad. This is one of the most-used simlayers—on a 36-key keyboard with no number row, this is how I type numbers.

{:des "v-mode (numbers)"
 :rules [:v-mode
         [:i :8]
         [:##i :##8]
         [:j :4]
         [:##j :4]
         [:k :5]
         [:##k :5]
         [:l :6]
         [:##l :6]
         [:m :1]
         [:##m :1]
         [:o :9]
         [:##o :9]
         [:u :7]
         [:##u :7]
         [:comma :2]
         [:##comma :2]
         [:period :3]
         [:##period :3]
         [:p :0]
         [:##p :0]
         [:semicolon :period]
         [:##semicolon :period]
         ]}

`x-mode`: avy

Hold x to trigger Avy jump commands in Emacs (this simlayer is Emacs-only). Each key maps to a unique Avy command via the C-H-s- modifier prefix, providing instant, keyboard-driven navigation to any visible position in the buffer.

{:des "x-mode (avy)"
 :rules [:x-mode
         [:a [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :a}]]
         [:b [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :b}]]
         [:c [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :c}]]
         [:d [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :d}]]
         [:e [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :e}]]
         [:f [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :f}]]
         [:g [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :g}]]
         [:h [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :h}]]
         [:i [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :i}]]
         [:j [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :j}]]
         [:k [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :k}]]
         [:l [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :l}]]
         [:m [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :m}]]
         [:n [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :n}]]
         [:o [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :o}]]
         [:p [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :p}]]
         [:q [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :q}]]
         [:r [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :r}]]
         [:s [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :s}]]
         [:t [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :t}]]
         [:u [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :u}]]
         [:v [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :v}]]
         [:w [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :w}]]
         [:y [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :y}]]
         [:z [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :z}]]
         [:semicolon [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :semicolon}]]
         [:comma [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :comma}]]
         [:period [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :period}]]
         [:slash [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :slash}]]
         [:spacebar [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :spacebar}]]
         [:return_or_enter [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :return_or_enter}]]
         [:tab [{:modi :C-H-s- :key :tab}]]
         ]}

`y-mode`: mouse/screenshots

Hold y to move the mouse cursor with the keyboard (a and f for left/right, s and d for up/down, q and r and w and e for larger jumps) or take screenshots (z for full screen, c for selected area, v to copy selected area to clipboard). Enter and Space act as left and right click.

{:des "y-mode (mouse, screenshots)"
 :rules [:y-mode
         [:b {:modi :⇧⌘ :key :5}]
         [:c {:modi :⇧⌘ :key :4}]
         [:d {:mkey {:y 1500}}]
         [:e {:mkey {:y 4500}}]
         [:a {:mkey {:x -1500}}]
         [:f {:mkey {:x 1500}}]
         [:q {:mkey {:x -4500}}]
         [:r {:mkey {:x 4500}}]
         [:s {:mkey {:y -1500}}]
         [:v {:modi :⇧⌘⌃ :key :4}]
         [:w {:mkey {:y -4500}}]
         [:z {:modi :⇧⌘ :key :3}]
         [:right_command :button2]
         [:return_or_enter :button1]
         ]}

`z-mode`: navigation

Hold z for cursor movement. The four arrow keys sit on the home row: j (left), k (up), l (down), ; (right). This is inspired by Vim’s h-j-k-l, with two modifications. First, the cluster is shifted one key to the right so that it aligns with the natural resting position of the four fingers. Second, up and down are swapped: k is up and l is down, placing up next to left and down next to right. This grouping works better for movement commands that can be conceptualized as either horizontal or vertical—for example, “sentence backward” is both “up” and “left,” while “sentence forward” is both “down” and “right.”

Beyond the arrow keys, y and h provide page up/down and m and / provide home/end. In Emacs, the keys trigger custom navigation commands via the A-C-s- modifier prefix, enabling more granular movement (by paragraph, sentence, defun, etc.). The ## prefix on some keys allows shift to be held for selection.

{:des "z-mode (navigation)"
 :rules [:z-mode
         [:b {:modi :A-C-s- :key :b} :emacs]
         [:c {:modi :A-C-s- :key :c}]
         [:d {:modi :A-H-M-s- :key :d} :emacs]
         [:e {:modi :A-C-s- :key :e} :emacs]
         [:f [{:modi :⌘⌃ :key :n} {:modi :⌘⌃ :key :h}] :chrome]
         [:f {:modi :A-C-s- :key :f}]
         [:g {:modi :A-C-s- :key :g} :emacs]
         [:h {:modi :A-C-s- :key :h} :emacs]
         [:##h :page_down]
         [:i {:modi :A-C-s- :key :i} :emacs]
         [:##i {:modi :⌥ :key :up_arrow}]
         [:j :left_arrow]
         [:##j :left_arrow]
         [:k :up_arrow]
         [:##k :up_arrow]
         [:l :down_arrow]
         [:##l :down_arrow]
         [:m {:modi :A-C-s- :key :m} :emacs]
         [:##m {:modi :⌘ :key :left_arrow}]
         [:n {:modi :A-C-s- :key :n} :emacs]
         [:o {:modi :A-C-s- :key :o} :emacs]
         [:##o {:modi :⌥ :key :down_arrow}]
         [:p {:modi :A-C-s- :key :p} :emacs]
         [:##p {:modi :⌥ :key :right_arrow}]
         [:r [{:modi :⌘⌃ :key :p} {:modi :⌘⌃ :key :h}] :chrome]
         [:r {:modi :A-C-s- :key :r} :emacs]
         [:s {:modi :A-C-s- :key :s} :emacs]
         [:t {:modi :A-C-s- :key :t} :emacs]
         [:u {:modi :A-C-s- :key :u} :emacs]
         [:##u {:modi :⌥ :key :left_arrow}]
         [:v {:modi :A-C-s- :key :v} :emacs]
         [:w {:modi :A-C-s- :key :w} :emacs]
         [:x {:modi :A-C-s- :key :x}]
         [:y {:modi :A-C-s- :key :y} :emacs]
         [:##y :page_up]
         [:spacebar {:modi :A-C-s- :key :spacebar} :emacs]
         [:spacebar {:modi :⌘ :key :up_arrow} :chrome]
         [:spacebar :home]
         [:comma {:modi :A-C-s- :key :comma} :emacs]
         [:##comma {:modi :⌘ :key :up_arrow}]
         [:period {:modi :A-C-s- :key :period} :emacs]
         [:##period {:modi :⌘ :key :down_arrow}]
         [:right_command {:modi :A-C-s- :key :tab} :emacs]
         [:right_command {:modi :⌘ :key :down_arrow} :chrome]
         [:right_command :end]
         [:semicolon :right_arrow]
         [:##semicolon :right_arrow]
         [:slash {:modi :A-C-s- :key :slash} :emacs]
         [:##slash {:modi :⌘ :key :right_arrow}]
         [:tab {:modi :A-C-s- :key :tab} :emacs]
         ;; [:##tab :home]
         ]}

`,-mode`: transposition

Hold , to trigger transposition commands in Emacs (transpose characters, words, lines, sentences, paragraphs, sexps, etc.) via the A-H-M- modifier prefix. This simlayer is Emacs-only.

{:des "comma-mode (transposition)"
 :rules [:comma-mode
         [:a {:modi :A-H-M- :key :a}]
         [:b {:modi :A-H-M- :key :b}]
         [:c {:modi :A-H-M- :key :c}]
         [:d {:modi :A-H-M- :key :d}]
         [:e {:modi :A-H-M- :key :e}]
         [:f {:modi :A-H-M- :key :f}]
         [:g {:modi :A-H-M- :key :g}]
         [:h {:modi :A-H-M- :key :h}]
         [:i {:modi :A-H-M- :key :i}]
         [:j {:modi :A-H-M- :key :j}]
         [:l {:modi :A-H-M- :key :l}]
         [:n {:modi :A-H-M- :key :n}]
         [:o {:modi :A-H-M- :key :o}]
         [:p {:modi :A-H-M- :key :p}]
         [:q {:modi :A-H-M- :key :q}]
         [:r {:modi :A-H-M- :key :r}]
         [:s {:modi :A-H-M- :key :s}]
         [:t {:modi :A-H-M- :key :t}]
         [:u {:modi :A-H-M- :key :u}]
         [:v {:modi :A-H-M- :key :v}]
         [:w {:modi :A-H-M- :key :w}]
         [:x {:modi :A-H-M- :key :x}]
         [:y {:modi :A-H-M- :key :y}]
         [:z {:modi :A-H-M- :key :z}]
         [:semicolon {:modi :A-H-M- :key :semicolon}]
         [:period {:modi :A-H-M- :key :period}]
         [:slash {:modi :A-H-M- :key :slash}]
         [:spacebar {:modi :A-H-M- :key :spacebar}]
         [:return_or_enter {:modi :A-H-M- :key :return_or_enter}]
         [:tab {:modi :A-H-M- :key :tab}]
         ]}

`.-mode`: text manipulation

Hold . to trigger text manipulation commands (sorting, aligning, casing, commenting, etc.) via the A-C-H- modifier prefix.

{:des "period-mode (manipulation)"
 :rules [:period-mode
         [:a {:modi :A-C-H- :key :a}]
         [:b {:modi :A-C-H- :key :b}]
         [:c {:modi :A-C-H- :key :c}]
         [:d {:modi :A-C-H- :key :d}]
         [:e {:modi :A-C-H- :key :e}]
         [:f {:modi :A-C-H- :key :f}]
         [:g {:modi :A-C-H- :key :g}]
         [:h {:modi :A-C-H- :key :h}]
         [:i {:modi :A-C-H- :key :i}]
         [:j {:modi :A-C-H- :key :j}]
         [:k {:modi :A-C-H- :key :k}]
         [:l {:modi :A-C-H- :key :l}]
         [:m {:modi :A-C-H- :key :m}]
         [:n {:modi :A-C-H- :key :n}]
         [:o {:modi :A-C-H- :key :o}]
         [:p {:modi :A-C-H- :key :p}]
         [:q {:modi :A-H-M-s- :key :9}]
         [:r {:modi :A-C-H- :key :r}]
         [:s {:modi :A-C-H- :key :s}]
         [:t {:modi :A-C-H- :key :t}]
         [:u {:modi :A-C-H- :key :u}]
         [:v {:modi :A-C-H- :key :v}]
         [:w {:modi :A-C-H- :key :w}]
         [:x {:modi :A-C-H- :key :x}]
         [:y {:modi :A-C-H- :key :y}]
         [:z {:modi :A-C-H- :key :z}]
         [:semicolon {:modi :A-C-H- :key :semicolon}]
         [:comma {:modi :A-C-H- :key :comma}]
         [:slash {:modi :A-C-H- :key :slash}]
         [:spacebar {:modi :A-C-H- :key :spacebar}]
         [:return_or_enter {:modi :A-C-H- :key :return_or_enter}]
         ]}

`;-mode`: symbols

Hold ; for symbols that would normally require Shift + number row (e.g. !@#$%^&*), as well as brackets, braces, quotes, backtick, tilde, en-dash, and em-dash. This eliminates the need for a number row to access these characters.

{:des "semicolon (symbols)"
 :rules [:semicolon-mode
         [:##a :percent_sign]
         [:##b :grave_accent_and_tilde]
         [:##c :open_bracket]
         [:##d :close_parenthesis]
         [:##e :number_sign]
         [:##f :asterisk]
         [:##g :caret]
         [:##h :ampersand]
         [:##i :open_single_quote]
         [:##j :double_quote]
         [:##k :open_double_quote]
         [:##l :close_double_quote]
         [:##m :hyphen]
         [:##n :tilde]
         [:##o :close_single_quote]
         [:##q :exclamation_mark]
         [:##r :dollar_sign]
         [:##s :open_parenthesis]
         [:##t :backslash]
         [:##u :quote]
         [:##v :close_bracket]
         [:##w :at_sign]
         [:##x :close_brace]
         [:##y :vertical_bar]
         [:##z :open_brace]
         [:##comma :en_dash]
         [:##period :em_dash]
         [:##right_command :underscore]
         ]}

`/-mode`: org-mode

Hold / in Emacs to access org-mode commands via the C-H-M-s- modifier prefix.

{:des "slash simlayer → org-mode"
 :rules [:slash-mode
         [:a {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :a} :emacs]
         [:b {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :b} :emacs]
         [:c {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :c} :emacs]
         [:d {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :d} :emacs]
         [:e {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :e} :emacs]
         [:f {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :f} :emacs]
         [:g {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :g} :emacs]
         [:h {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :h} :emacs]
         [:i {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :i} :emacs]
         [:j {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :j} :emacs]
         [:m {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :m} :emacs]
         [:n {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :n} :emacs]
         [:o {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :o} :emacs]
         [:p {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :p} :emacs]
         [:q {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :q} :emacs]
         [:r {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :r} :emacs]
         [:s {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :s} :emacs]
         [:t {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :t} :emacs]
         [:u {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :u} :emacs]
         [:v {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :v} :emacs]
         [:w {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :w} :emacs]
         [:z {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :z} :emacs]
         [:x {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :x} :emacs]
         [:y {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :y} :emacs]
         [:period {:modi :C-H-M-s- :key :period} :emacs]
         ]}

end

]}

Summary

This setup trades a steep learning curve for an extremely compact and efficient input system. The key design decisions are:

Minimal firmware, maximal software. The keyboard firmware is nearly a no-op. All intelligence lives in Karabiner/Goku, which is easier to iterate on and works across keyboards.
Simlayers over firmware layers. Instead of dedicated layer-switch keys, every letter can be a layer trigger. This is only possible because Karabiner’s simlayer mechanism is time-based, distinguishing a quick tap from a held key.
Context-aware behavior. The same physical key does different things in Emacs vs. other apps. This lets me have Emacs-native deletion, navigation, and transposition commands alongside standard macOS shortcuts.
Six Emacs modifiers from six thumb keys. By mapping all six Emacs modifier keys to physical keys, I have a keybinding space large enough to support thousands of unique commands.

Appendices

Useful links

Tutorials

Hacking your keyboard with Karabiner
Remap Keyboard Shortcuts Karabiner Elements. Video tutorial by John Lindquist.
Karabiner God Mode
Karabiner configuration reference manual
Putting your Keyboard on Steroids with Karabiner Elements
Hacking your keyboard with karabiner | Kaushik Gopal’s blog

Configuration files

Goku modifier letters

letter	modifier
C	left_command
T	left_control
O	left_option
S	left_shift
F	fn
Q	right_command
W	right_control
E	right_option
R	right_shift

List of keys

Souce: GitHub

category: Modifier keys
name: caps_lock
name: left_control
name: left_shift
name: left_option
name: left_command
name: right_control
name: right_shift
name: right_option
name: right_command
name: fn
category: Controls and symbols
name: return_or_enter
name: escape
name: delete_or_backspace
name: delete_forward
name: tab
name: spacebar
name: hyphen label: hyphen (-)
name: equal_sign label: equal_sign (=)
name: open_bracket label: open_bracket [
name: close_bracket label: close_bracket ]
name: backslash label: backslash (\)
name: non_us_pound
name: semicolon label: semicolon (;)
name: quote label: quote (‘)
name: grave_accent_and_tilde label: grave_accent_and_tilde ()
name: comma label: comma (,)
name: period label: period (.)
name: slash label: slash (/)
name: non_us_backslash
category: Arrow keys
name: up_arrow
name: down_arrow
name: left_arrow
name: right_arrow
name: page_up
name: page_down
name: home
name: end
category: Letter keys
name: a
name: b
name: c
name: d
name: e
name: f
name: g
name: h
name: i
name: j
name: k
name: l
name: m
name: n
name: o
name: p
name: q
name: r
name: s
name: t
name: u
name: v
name: w
name: x
name: y
name: z
category: Number keys
name: ‘1’
name: ‘2’
name: ‘3’
name: ‘4’
name: ‘5’
name: ‘6’
name: ‘7’
name: ‘8’
name: ‘9’
name: ‘0’
category: Function keys
name: f1
name: f2
name: f3
name: f4
name: f5
name: f6
name: f7
name: f8
name: f9
name: f10
name: f11
name: f12
name: f13
name: f14
name: f15
name: f16
name: f17
name: f18
name: f19
name: f20
name: f21 not_to: true
name: f22 not_to: true
name: f23 not_to: true
name: f24 not_to: true
category: Media controls
name: display_brightness_decrement not_from: true
name: display_brightness_increment not_from: true
name: mission_control not_from: true
name: launchpad not_from: true
name: dashboard not_from: true
name: illumination_decrement not_from: true
name: illumination_increment not_from: true
name: rewind not_from: true
name: play_or_pause not_from: true
name: fastforward not_from: true
name: mute
name: volume_decrement
name: volume_increment
name: eject not_from: true
name: apple_display_brightness_decrement not_from: true
name: apple_display_brightness_increment not_from: true
name: apple_top_case_display_brightness_decrement not_from: true
name: apple_top_case_display_brightness_increment not_from: true
category: Keypad keys
name: keypad_num_lock
name: keypad_slash
name: keypad_asterisk
name: keypad_hyphen
name: keypad_plus
name: keypad_enter
name: keypad_1
name: keypad_2
name: keypad_3
name: keypad_4
name: keypad_5
name: keypad_6
name: keypad_7
name: keypad_8
name: keypad_9
name: keypad_0
name: keypad_period
name: keypad_equal_sign
name: keypad_comma
category: Virtual Keys
name: vk_none label: vk_none (disable this key) not_from: true
category: Keys in pc keyboards
name: print_screen
name: scroll_lock
name: pause
name: insert
name: application
name: help
name: power
name: execute not_to: true
name: menu not_to: true
name: select not_to: true
name: stop not_to: true
name: again not_to: true
name: undo not_to: true
name: cut not_to: true
name: copy not_to: true
name: paste not_to: true
name: find not_to: true
category: International keys
name: international1
name: international2 not_to: true
name: international3
name: international4 not_to: true
name: international5 not_to: true
name: international6 not_to: true
name: international7 not_to: true
name: international8 not_to: true
name: international9 not_to: true
name: lang1
name: lang2
name: lang3 not_to: true
name: lang4 not_to: true
name: lang5 not_to: true
name: lang6 not_to: true
name: lang7 not_to: true
name: lang8 not_to: true
name: lang9 not_to: true
category: Japanese
name: japanese_eisuu label: 英数キー
name: japanese_kana label: かなキー
name: japanese_pc_nfer label: PCキーボードの無変換キー not_to: true
name: japanese_pc_xfer label: PCキーボードの変換キー not_to: true
name: japanese_pc_katakana label: PCキーボードのかなキー not_to: true
category: Others
name: keypad_equal_sign_as400 not_to: true
name: locking_caps_lock not_to: true
name: locking_num_lock not_to: true
name: locking_scroll_lock not_to: true
name: alternate_erase not_to: true
name: sys_req_or_attention not_to: true
name: cancel not_to: true
name: clear not_to: true
name: prior not_to: true
name: return label: rarely used return (HID usage 0x9e) not_to: true
name: separator not_to: true
name: out not_to: true
name: oper not_to: true
name: clear_or_again not_to: true
name: cr_sel_or_props not_to: true
name: ex_sel not_to: true
name: left_alt label: left_alt (equal toleft_option)
name: left_gui label: left_gui (equal toleft_command)
name: right_alt label: right_alt (equal toright_option)
name: right_gui label: right_gui (equal toright_command)
name: vk_consumer_brightness_down label: vk_consumer_brightness_down (equal todisplay_brightness_decrement) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_brightness_up label: vk_consumer_brightness_up (equal todisplay_brightness_increment) not_from: true
name: vk_mission_control label: vk_mission_control (equal tomission_control) not_from: true
name: vk_launchpad label: vk_launchpad (equal tolaunchpad) not_from: true
name: vk_dashboard label: vk_dashboard (equal todashboard) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_illumination_down label: vk_consumer_illumination_down (equal toillumination_decrement) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_illumination_up label: vk_consumer_illumination_up (equal toillumination_increment) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_previous label: vk_consumer_previous (equal torewind) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_play label: vk_consumer_play (equal toplay) not_from: true
name: vk_consumer_next label: vk_consumer_next (equal tofastforward) not_from: true
name: volume_down label: volume_down (equal tovolume_decrement)
name: volume_up label: volume_up (equal tovolume_increment`)

Letter frequencies

Source: Wikipedia

letter	freq	normalized	used
E	0.13000	1.
T	0.09100	1.4285714
A	0.08200	1.5853659
O	0.07500	1.7333333
I	0.07000	1.8571429
N	0.06700	1.9402985
S	0.06300	2.0634921
H	0.06100	2.1311475
R	0.06000	2.1666667
D	0.04300	3.0232558
L	0.04000	3.25
C	0.02800	4.6428571
U	0.02800	4.6428571
M	0.02400	5.4166667
W	0.02400	5.4166667
F	0.02200	5.9090909
G	0.02000	6.5
Y	0.02000	6.5
P	0.01900	6.8421053	t
B	0.01500	8.6666667	t
V	0.00980	13.265306	t
K	0.00770	16.883117	t
J	0.00150	86.666667	t
X	0.00150	86.666667	t
Q	0.00095	136.84211	t
Z	0.00074	175.67568	t

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Pablo’s Karabiner modifications

Introduction

Hardware

Firmware configuration

Setup steps

Step 1: configure the keyboard firmware

Step 2: install Karabiner and Goku

Note on editing

Table of contents

Profiles

alone

held

delay

sim

simlayer threshold

Tos

Modifiers

Applications

Devices

Layers

Simlayers

Templates

Main

Individual bindings

In Emacs

Outside Emacs

left_control

left_option

left_command

spacebar

right_command

right_option

mouse

Layers

b-mode: media/windows

k-mode: special characters

j-mode: deletion

m-mode: math symbols

[#4] Fix m-mode problems

p-mode: diacritics

q-mode: apps

v-mode: numbers

x-mode: avy

y-mode: mouse/screenshots

z-mode: navigation

,-mode: transposition

.-mode: text manipulation

;-mode: symbols

/-mode: org-mode

end

Summary

Appendices

Useful links

Tutorials

Configuration files

Meta

Goku modifier letters

List of keys

Letter frequencies

Local variables

`left_control`

`left_option`

`left_command`

`spacebar`

`right_command`

`right_option`

`b-mode`: media/windows

`k-mode`: special characters

`j-mode`: deletion

`m-mode`: math symbols

[#4] Fix `m-mode` problems

`p-mode`: diacritics

`q-mode`: apps

`v-mode`: numbers

`x-mode`: avy

`y-mode`: mouse/screenshots

`z-mode`: navigation

`,-mode`: transposition

`.-mode`: text manipulation

`;-mode`: symbols

`/-mode`: org-mode