gsinclair / karabiner-layers.md
I use Karabiner (configured with Gosu) to make advanced key mappings on my Apple computer. Karabiner allows you to create “layers”, perhaps simulating those on a programmable mechanical keyboard. I make good use of these layers to give me easy access (home-row or nearby) to all symbols and navigational controls, and even a numpad.
The motivation is to keep hand movement to a minimum. Decades of coding on standard keyboards has unfortunately left me with hand and wrist pain. I will soon enough own a small split keyboard which will force me to use layers to access symbols etc., so this Karabiner solution, which has evolved over months, is a training run for that.
What is a layer? A simple example is that when I hold down f I get access to nearly all delimeter pairs: ( ) [ ] { }. The key idea is that I activate a layer with my left hand and select the character with my right hand.
The a layer provides arrow movement with hjkl. It also gives access to Tab, Enter and Page Down/Up. This ASCII diagram attempts to demonstrate the a layer.
