[RESOLVED] Using keyd to re-map keys? Not working as desired.

[oshunluvr]

keyd is a new-ish way to map or re-map keys so I'm trying to use it to do some things without the old school way of editing the keyboard maps. However, I'm having no luck getting what I want.

The way it works isn't correctly or clearly defined in the manpage IMO. It doesn't remap characters it remaps keys. To explain the difference, if you put this in the config file: a = b when you press a you get a b, and when you press A you get B. What I want to do reverse the characters on two keys: tilde/grave and bar/backslash but it doesn't work. I entered:

` = ~
~ = `

and when I press grave I get tilde, but when I press tilde (aka shift-grave) I still get tilde.

If I'm configuring keyd wrong, let me know. Otherwise it's back to old school.

[Snowhog]

Not recognizing the modifier - shift - key?

[oshunluvr]

Not recognizing the modifier - shift - key?

Correct. Or to be more precise, recognises the Shift key separately not as a key combo.

I tried "evremap" also and got the same results.

Then I found "input-remapper" and got it to work. It has a GUI but GTK. Thankfully, not a ton of depends. Also, you have to know the key mapping names. I.e. like "SHIFTL+KEY_BACKSLASH" to assign "BAR" or "PIPE" to it. I was even able to assign "ShiftR+.." as well as ShiftL so it works with both shift buttons.

[claydoh]

Lol I was just going to suggest input remapper.

I use keyd on my Chromebook for modifying things to work more like a normal kb layout, since the Linux or libinput folks, or whomever dont provide a layout option for Chromeboks newer then 2018. So I can't adjust the keyboard backlight lol.

I'll look at it a bit when I get a chance just out of curiosity, I haven't needed mess with the setup in ages since I have scripting and a saved config for it.

Input remapper is great for kb and mouse customization, but I am lucky both of mine (keychron) use a web browser based tool for it and changes are saved on the device.

If you have a kb from many of the brands that specialize in mechanical keyboards, like keychron, you might also be able to do this using a tool called Via (or similar) in Chrome, after a quick udev rule addition, and not need any extra services or software.

[oshunluvr]

Now I need to remember how I change the keymap in the console too...

...getting old sucks but beats the alternative