https://github.com/frobware/cmd-key-happy

A macOS utility to swap Command (⌘) and Option (⌥) key functionality for consistent keyboard shortcuts across systems.
https://github.com/frobware/cmd-key-happy

emacs keyboard-layout macos modifiers readline shortcuts-layout terminal

Last synced: 28 days ago
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A macOS utility to swap Command (⌘) and Option (⌥) key functionality for consistent keyboard shortcuts across systems.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/frobware/cmd-key-happy
• Owner: frobware
• License: mit
• Created: 2009-10-31T08:55:33.000Z (over 15 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2025-01-12T23:23:34.000Z (4 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-03-29T03:06:18.262Z (about 1 month ago)
• Topics: emacs, keyboard-layout, macos, modifiers, readline, shortcuts-layout, terminal
• Language: Swift
• Homepage:
• Size: 1.46 MB
• Stars: 135
• Watchers: 8
• Forks: 16
• Open Issues: 1
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

        
# macOS Command/Option Key Mapper (for Linux refugees)

A utility that makes your macOS keyboard work like a Linux keyboard by swapping modifier keys:

- The physical Option (⌥) key functions as Command (⌘)

- The physical Command (⌘) key functions as Option/Alt (⌥)

## Why Use This?

On Linux, the Alt key (next to spacebar) is used for terminal shortcuts like alt-backspace and alt-f. This utility places that same functionality on the same physical key on your Mac keyboard, making muscle memory work across both systems.

## Common Use Cases

- Terminal navigation (alt-f, alt-b, alt-backspace)

- Emacs in terminal mode (`emacs -nw`)

- Any command-line tool that uses readline

## Installation

[Instructions coming soon]

## Configuration

The configuration file is located at: `~/Library/Application Support/com.frobware.cmd-key-happy/config`.

(TODO) This file is created automatically when you run cmd-key-happy for the first time, along with the necessary directory structure.

The configuration file is line-oriented. Each line specifies the name of an application for which the modifiers option and commands will be swapped for all input. For example:

```plaintext

Alacritty

Ghostty

kitty

```

Explanation:

- Alacritty: The utility will swap command and option keys when using the Alacritty terminal.

- Ghostty: The same behaviour applies to this application.

- kitty: Likewise, the keys are swapped for kitty.

The application name must match the name as it appears in the system’s application list.