ProtoTyping

This is a collection of hacks I've made to make editing text simpler, more ergonomic and more consistent on Windows and Mac.

• Uses a spatial layout instead of mapping functions to the first letter in their name.
• Aims to be easier on your hands than usual keyboard chords.
• Avoids the modes of vi-like systems. If you release all keys, the keyboard goes back to working as normal.
• Hijacks the input of the entire system, and so should work in almost every program.
• Overrides a minimum of default features, so your computer will still be useable for other people. (It does override Caps Lock, but Caps Lock typically hurts more than it helps anyway.)
• Remaps some keys to make different platforms behave more alike.

Usage

While holding down Caps Lock, you are in ProtoTyping mode. You can then use the following:

• ijkl are arrow keys.
• u and o steps one word in either direction.
• h and the key right of L go to the beginning and end of the line.
• Holding f will make the other keys select text (just like holding shift normally).
• Holding d will make the other keys delete text (for example, Caps+d+u will delete one word backward).
  • There is a special case for d+i and d+k (up and down), which will delete the current line and move the cursor up or down. This is very useful when programming.
• Windows-specific:
  • The left Windows key is mapped to Control, so that most commands are the same on Windows and Mac.
  • The left Alt is mapped to a second Alt Gr so that you can choose the least contorting way to type special characters.

Installation

Windows

1. Install AutoHotkey.
2. Open Run with Win + R, type shell:startup and press enter. Your startup folder opens.
3. Put ProtoTyping.ahk in the startup folder. This makes it start at login.
4. Double-click ProtoTyping.ahk to start it for this login session.
5. (optional) Edit ProtoTyping.ahk in case you want to disable anything.

Mac (10.12 Sierra or newer)

1. Install Karabiner Elements.
2. Replace the file ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json with the karabiner.json I provide (or merge them if you are already using Karabiner).

Mac (before 10.12 Sierra)

1. Install Karabiner
2. Go into System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Keyboard -> Modifier keys and set Caps Lock to map to Control.
3. Add the contents of private.xml to ~/Library/Application Support/Karabiner/private.xml (or just replace that file if you are new to Karabiner).