This weird keyboard technique has improved the way I type.

[@dreamsofcode]

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[@RomanLi-y9c]

try to move super in the middle (G H) no reason to overload pinkie. I've been using colemak+36key+ortho split, never going back.

[@rafidulonnoy]

here i thought i needed a special keyboard for that functionality thank you so much for another great video🤩

[@snickersanyone]

Got myself a Corne 4 last month and have been in love with home row mods, ColemakDH and a dedicated vim/tmux layer ever since. I can not overstate how much of an improvement this combo is over QWERTY staggered. Before I cheated a lot in hyprland with my mouse exactly for the reasons you outline in the first half, but now I hardly ever touch the mouse. Already most of my pain in fingers and wrists after a long session are gone and that's such a big win. Highly recommend exploring all your options when it comes to ergonomics. There's no one size fits all but you can most definitely make a lot of improvements that pay off in the long run.

[@QuentinLeonetti]

Hey! I'm curious about using colemak + vim layer. how did you go about it?

[@snickersanyone]

@@QuentinLeonetti Not on my PC right now so I can’t screenshot it but you basically start with a miryoku layout. That one already has a a nav layer when holding one of the thumb buttons down. The right side than switches to hjkl on the home row, and arrow keys on the row below. The left side has the modifier keys on home row, with numbers on top and below (for relative line jumping although I don’t use that motion a lot). Every other key is then filled with useful shortcuts, copy/paste, undo/redo, jump to first/last line/char in line, move up/down half a page, goto local/global definition, next/last paragraph (%) and so one. I’m still getting used to Colemak and that layer really helps a ton and is quick and easy to access. I can probably replace most of the shortcuts with commands or plugin keybindings once I’m more comfortable typing with the new layout. Having some of the symbols used to navigate in vim are a must tho.

[@stoicfloor]

I have been using home row mod with my chocofi for a few years and couldn't recommend it enough. Thank you so much for bringing this rather niche idea to a more general audience!

[@awesomedavid2012]

I love the idea of it but the issue with these mods is that the key will go from action on down to action on up, because otherwise it can't tell whether you tapped or are holding. And even that tiny lag I can feel and notice.

[@brddork]

You probably would not notice this, actually, unless your typing speed is really slow. The potential pitfall is accidentally registering command keypresses when you mean to press the alpha character due to rolling. Rolling being where you have two keys both in the keydown state. There's actually pretty clever mitigations for this on ZMK and QMK and I personally don't have issues with typing at around ~110wpm.

[@filko3578]

On the voyager you can make a timing when the hold activates. It's based as well on the typing speed. Mine is pretty low in the home row, while thumb clusters a bit higher for the layers

[@dhavalsavalia]

I am in the process of building my own 42 key Corne keyboard and trying to find homerow mod resources and there you are like a clockwork! It was same with nix but I ended up creating my own shell script based on what you showed. It was a great resource nevertheless! Thank you!

[@Temet79]

I tried it on my Corne when I got it but I disabled it quickly as it lead to typing mistake. For example, when typing "dock" quickly, I noticed I type the "o" before I fully released the "d", which leads to mistake. I hope for you won't suffer from the same.

[@madmanali93]

I bought the moonlander beccause I was getting back pain from hours of programming all day. Having your hand spaced out in a split keyboard helps your back not curve and its much better. I have never looked back since. The thumb buttons are also a positive. I can never do a normal keyboard now.

[@JakoTheWacko]

I'm a massive fan of home row mods. It makes keyboard-centric workflows significantly easier.

[@SFDestiny]

and less costly. it greatly reduces RSI/repetitive stress injury

[@design.Engineered]

great video!! you inspired me to try it on my mac setup and i got a karibiner config that deletes the extra letter u type before turning into the homerow mod that also servers as a little indicator for when the hotkey is live! had to play around with the held_down threshold timing but 150 ms seems to do the trick

[@vikingthedude]

I have a lispy tip (although probably useless): With multi-line parentheses in lisp, keep the closing paren on the same line as the last "item" of the expression. Same thing applies when we have multiple closing parens: all on the same line. That way the closing parens get out of your way and the code reads better. This is a clojure convention, but doesn't seem like it in kanata

[@e-v-o-l-v-e]

bro your videos made me discover so much incredible things, thanks you really much, this is insane !

[@6pakAL]

So you are telling me that I can have QMK like capabilities without needing specialized hardware AND I get to write in a lisp syntax? I absolutely love this! So glad I watched this video today!

[@darukutsu]

@@6pakAL thumb keys are must for me. They definitely speed things with layers a lot. Also you could use xmodmap to do this under X11 for years but kanata is better.

[@brad.carpenter_]

Going to implement this ASAP

[@vd3598]

I'm using the same Voyager keyboard and initially used some of those bindings when modifiers are bound to other keys on long press. But it turned out to be not handy - there is a little lag until the modifier will be recorded. It is noticeable and annoying when typing fast. Now I remapped my layout so there are no number keys on the main layout and instead the first row consists only of modifiers, space and selectors of other layers, so I can use my thumb as if space on a regular keyboard was divided into several keys.

[@darkdriller]

I want to learn this mod but just imagining re learning vim keybinds is enough nightmare to work though with my therapist

[@rumble_bird]

I used alt+ vim keys for arrow keys and word jumps however your remaps is next level for me

[@readyplayer2197]

This is just brillant.

[@phillipanselmo8540]

I was actually researching this last week and that research is the exact reason why my hdd partition got corrupted and I now have to rewrite all of my configs from scratch 😢

[@EmilSosa_14]

I ordered that exact keyboard last week, I was wondering how I would feel not having modifier keys and using layers instead. Going to give a try to this. Thanks for the video. 👍

[@raoulkent]

Which keyboard is it? 🤔 Edit: nvm found it! Obvious now that I see it, ZSA Voyager

[@Hellbending]

Curious if you’re already familiar with columnar layout - or will that be new also?

[@noblenetdk]

Great idea and explanation

[@LGXerxes]

Started using home row mods on my glove80, but found that after learing everything properly the speed of the home row mods is a bit slow. You can make the delay shorter, which is usually fine, until you do not want to type at full speed. So i moved Super,Alt,Ctrl,Shift to the lowest row (two below home row) which allows you to type at full speed and still be kinda-ergonomic. It was probably more an issue with the double duty layer keys, but without vim-esque key bindings Crtl,Shift become needed in editors. Did you ever have have problems like that?

[@Quenjii]

@dreamsofcode Have you ever done a 'tour' video of your desktop setup? I took a quick gander and didn't one, but would love to know how you've set up that floaty-looking window and the windows that animate in. Thanks!

[@ErmandDurro]

Amazing video. Thanks a lot 🙏🏼🙂

[@plaintext7288]

imagine a person unaware of this trying to find where the shift is and explaining it to them 😅

[@vinialves12362]

@@plaintext7288 that's why they call it personal computers

[@oliverhughes169]

I use the Voyager with colemak-dh layout and for months I was trying to get used to the home row mods. They were very comfy, but always I was triggering them when I didn't want to, or they were too slow, and they make the home row feel laggy (as there is a delay before registering the key press or key hold action). I never managed to fine tune it to where it felt natural. Now for months I'm using my pinky and thumbs for modifiers. Home row is responsive again, but it's not as comfy at all to use. It's a tricky one... I saw your Voyager layout and see you left the timings as default.

[@houndsol]

homerowmods are so goated, but i need another profile for wasd games :)

[@rasheedatanda9927]

i'm guessing the reason for the video is to mention kanata and if that's not the reason I would like to mention that the voyager supports a macro system. basically, you don't need to move any config (or install any software) around the different environments you use as your keyboard modifications stays in your keyboard when you user voyager oryx to modify your keyboard behavior.

[@bastiana3611]

I might start using those too, they seem like a very sensible alternative to whatever yoga movements I force my thumb into when I need to press the super key. 😂

[@Tekay37]

I have shift on the index finger and ctrl on the middle finger. switching to a programmable split keyboard was such a big game changer for me. I won't ever go back to a traditional keyboard. Are the homerow mods your only change? I created an extra layer for parenthesis (opening on the left home row, closing on the right), quotation marks (t g b = " ' `) and slashes (y h n = / | \). Additionally I also created an "Umlaut" layer to have ä und a, ö under o, ü under u, ß under s, and different symbols on mnemonic positions (e.g. # (hash) under h, & (and) under n, § (paragraph) under p, ^ (caret) under c, etc..

[@raidensama1511]

I modified caps lock to be control, when held; and escape when tapped.

[@design.Engineered]

that's a good one! love tap-escape. but i feel like the capslock key also works really well for a hyper key that is used to launch specific programs

[@nomadtrails]

Oh wow, I had a System 76 Launch keyboard and am now awaiting delivery on my ZSA Voyager, and plan on trying home row mods for the first time as soon as it arrives. Sound familiar?

[@nomadtrails]

Found your Voyager configuration in the github link. Thanks a ton, I'll use this as a starting point for my own layout. Cheers, keep up the amazing work on your channel!

I was introduced to the keyboard of the Commodore 16 in 1984, and since then, I’ve used the Commodore 64, Amiga 500, Amiga 1200, Amiga 3000, Amiga 4000, PC, and, from 2005 onwards, only Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro keyboards. I’ve never had any finger pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any issues whatsoever. I’ve been using the QWERTY standard keyboard since 1984. I believe all these problems come from using vim, tmux, or emacs :) I don’t use any of them and keep my hands and mind healthy - highly recommended! :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Yes, I've been coding since 1984 w/o pain :)

[@AbhiShake-pl3cf]

Great concept. I did this with kmonad

[@starnumber_alt]

That looks weird to learn

[@Palawusa]

For any germans struggling with "ö" in the katana config: Just use ";" like in the video, it will work just fine

[@jameslairdsmith]

Home Row Mods are OP

[@QuintarFarenor]

Or your know you could use the pinky or ring- finger to access Alt, Win, Ctrl-keys, on ether side.

[@Kiro1900k]

Probably missed when you mention it, but won’t having K as a modifier affect vim? What if u just want to go up a few lines by holding K?

[@skylark.kraken]

Wait, your ring finger isn't your weakest finger? Little finger isn't actually much weaker but has better leverage which makes up for it. From strongest to weakest mine are thumb, index, little, middle, ring

[@JohnDoe-oj8dz]

Yeah, ring finger is the weakest one. The pinky is surprisingly strong and a very important finger. If you ever have to lose a finger, lose the ring finger.

[@CrazyMineCuber]

If you need to be strong to push a keyswitch, you have too high force switches.

[@skylark.kraken]

@@JohnDoe-oj8dz I already know that if I'm going to lose a finger it's going to be my right ring finger, it does basically nothing (definitely would miss it, but it wouldn't inconvenience me much), I pincer type with just index and middle fingers (I'm too dyspraxic to type "properly") so my right ring finger just gives me a little more mouse grip but main grip is little finger - it basically just gives stability when lifting my mouse up, I'm fine with a slightly floppier mouse

[@dhupee]

@@JohnDoe-oj8dz thank man, I will inform the mugger if they gonna cut me off No truly

[@SFDestiny]

Interesting tip presented exemplarily well. Kudos! "...incredibly simple..." Yes, I'm Gen-X. Call me Boomer if you must. "What does 'simple' mean if 'incredibly simple' means 'simple' in your argot?" Maybe it means 'surprisingly simple', I'm not sure; but, it surely doesn't mean 'unbelievably simple' in this instance. In truth, I doubt I've ever heard anyone younger than Gen-X use 'incredible' to mean 'not credible, not believable'. Yeah, the claim is it's an intensifier, but I think this is usually not the case. 'Incredibly' is most often used as a performative, it signals affect, often enthusiasm. And yet it doesn't signal affect because it is seemingly ubiquitous. "This is what we do, " is its function: "I am one of you (and so trust me)." I do believe that not using 'incredibly' will signal, "I am not one of you," to most people now; so, I'm not suggesting anyone change. Leave King Cnut to the fables, and just get along to get along... (But... This is tech we're discussing. Tech and math and banking, maybe these do warrant precision. And maybe in these particular domains performatives actually diminish credibility and persuasion?... Nah, this is KZbin where lucre is coin of the realm.) 😁

[@dmitriyzlobenets8365]

always useful info

[@KamiKagutsuchi]

Just rebind capslock to what ever you need. Caps is in such a prime position on the keyboard and yet it is entirely useless

[@xpertdbx]

I called this technique "input on released not pressed" and actually designed a keyboard with like 16 keys around it when i was in highschool. But it turns out i was too dumb to make it. Maybe worth another try now

[@ghost91827]

What's the mode of headphones are you using? Looks cool

[@henrykrinkle4546]

AAAAAAAAAAAAA Lost my ability to shout after using this

[@mohitkumar-jv2bx]

I recently switched to Home row mods + split keyboard. I can’t go back now.

[@ClayTheFoxx]

what really bothers me is that my brain was convinced you used a mac with yabai for a solid half of the video even though you clearly showed your framework 16 and i have a decent exposure to linux. i guess the wallpaper really does the trick.

[@vinialves12362]

never used rshift in my life, always wondered what's that for

[@shinoossan]

I have also used home row mods but I have usually done that in qmk / zmk, so basically in hardware level. Quick question, why did you choose to do it in kanata and not in firmware?

[@piotrszponder123]

So does the kanaka software conflict with your custom key bindings? Would you need to disable the Kanata software on your Mac for example if you wanted to use your Oryx configuration on your Voyager keyboard?

[@PrestonRodriguez]

Moonlander FTW

[@frooastside]

8:15 Doesn't the Framework laptop keyboard also use QMK?

[@PingoX]

I had no idea of this concept, thanks! Im trying on a normal full sized blanked keycaps keyboard: A, S, D as Meta, LAlt, LCtrl. I dont see the point of the shift in the home row, the Shift key is literally glued to A and Z (same for RShift), just use the pinky and press the key as far right as possible, no? Any reason for it? I really can't think that the same logic applies to the Shift key

[@ahmoin]

when's the nix over arch video coming out?

[@przemec]

2:06 Any chance anyone got a link or a name of that specific cable that connects two keyboard halves? Been looking for such spring-like cable with 90degree endings for a while now

[@MattyB303]

Did you say what window tiling manager you use?

[@divad1196]

Just tried it for a few days, hated it. The input is taken only on release, this creates a awful latency. Also, if I do the "ctrl + a" too fast, it's not considered correctly even with the option that force the second input to force the hold mod before the end of the delay. This also causes a lot more issues when typing fast because touch press overlaps.. It's a shame because on the paper this is great.

[@Moarmmoforme]

I'd bet the ring finger's gotta be the weakest one, at least from the guitar-playing side of things! Bass players barely use it either-probably because it doesn't reach the frets well, and it just doesn't pack much pressure.

[@cody_codes_youtube]

So where do you map your Cap Locks Key? 😅

[@seres67]

you don't need it

[@rrajaste]

I think most people with a custom layout omit the caps lock all together. It's definitely in the top 5 of most useless keyboard keys. Mapping caps lock to ESC is a very popular mod.

[@Avantarius]

Tried it twice, never worked for me. Getting accidental uppercase letters when typing fast was just too annoying!

[@carlhicks3491]

I was thinking like why not map caps lock (didn’t see they keyboard)

[@weloveyoumylo]

which monitor are you using?

[@andreasg.dpetersen4252]

I’ve tried HRM on the Voyager a couple times but always gone back due to VIM HJKL navigation feeling off because of the tap delay. Any suggestions on how mitigate this?

[@davidallred991]

this is actually what I was just thinking about while watching this, seems like a cool idea but I use the hjkl like i shouldn't all the time by holding them down. No way would i want to have to double tap a specific way to do so. I guess I could just do the left side which to be honest is mostly what i use anyways for any mode keys. For sure want to change my alt key to this because I hate using it do to the position.

[@tucker4459]

Now ditch your numbers 😉

[@jadw1]

What is model of the split keyboard you are using?

[@danko95bgd]

What about layers for annoying symbols or numbers

[@cody_codes_youtube]

LOL, the dreams of code meme at the beginning

[@UnixTMDev]

emacs pinky? more like i3 thumb

[@guillemgarcia3630]

but what about repeat keys? would they be disabled by this?

[@cody_codes_youtube]

@@guillemgarcia3630 button mash

[@Steerable6827]

@@guillemgarcia3630 watch the video, both of you. This topic is covered. And no, button mashing isn't the answer.

[@IkraamDev]

What country are you from?

[@Eurotool]

This is both genius and overkill

[@rrajaste]

@@Eurotool It makes a surprisingly large difference especially if you use a keyboard for 40+ hours a week. It does have a significant learning curve, but the benefits are also prettying huge. If you touch type and already have a custom keyboard it's definitely a worthwhile thing to try. It's a very popular mod for split KBs

[@flannn6]

obviously you dont game do you

[@tinkmaster1054]

@@flannn6 it's easy, just make a gaming layer without homerow mods

[@CoClock]

Exactly my first two thoughts.

[@Kiro1900k]

Probably game with console

[@Jafeth636]

👀

[@Alccce]

that's why i use the alt key instead

[@atilkan]

You skipped the part where you needed a new keyboard.

[@Palawusa]

You don't? Just use katana, its in the video lol