Caps Lock Reliability as Hyper Key

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

I have made some more adaptions in the latest alphas, however I have never observed it only trigger on second try. Could it be a keyboard issue? Or is the problem in your case maybe not the hyper key but the action you trigger? (Maybe you can try using a simple fail-safe action like "Show HUD" to trigger with a hyper key shortcut.)

Currently there is not really a key event viewer, but that might be a helpful addition.

[lukasvac]

I don't think it's a keyboard issue. The original problem occurred on both the internal keyboard of my MacBook Air and the external Logitech MX Keys. Today, I was only using the external one. But as I mentioned earlier, when I remapped Caps Lock using Karabiner or the HyperKey app by Ryan Hanson, there were no issues at all. And when I used the workaround of remapping Caps Lock to Right Ctrl over the past few days, it was 100% reliable.

By the way, a colleague at work bought a new Mac Mini M4 two weeks ago. I immediately recommended BTT and shared some tips on how to use it. He had the same issues with Hyper Key. So it’s not some system clutter that could be resolved by a clean install. Coincidentally, though, he also uses the Logitech MX Keys.

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

I think I have a MX Keys somewhere, will have a look!

How often does this happen with the latest build for you?

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

By the way, something new I just learned:
If shift+ctrl+opt+cmd are pressed, the keyboard doesn't input any other keys. This makes this hyper key also great for key sequences (e.g. hyper + t + e + s + t) @Frank1 this might be interesting for you

Key sequences now work with the new hyper key in v 4.964 (uploading)

[iandol]

New hyper key implementation working really well after a day or so of use on both an internal keyboard and a logitech K380 BT keyboard. I got capslock stuck ON at first use but a coincidental update for 15.2 (24C100) at the same time caused a reboot and all worked perfectly after restart. My previous problem with the hyper key (sticky activation) did not occur at all.

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

@iandol the stuck problem should be solved in the latest build! Thanks for testing! In case it happens again you can get it unstuck by changing the capslock mapping in system settings => Keyboard => keyboard shortcuts => modifiers

[Frank1]

@Andreas_Hegenberg

@Frank1 this might be interesting for you

Thank you, that is indeed interesting. But if I see this correctly, it's pretty much the same as blocking the keyboard.

I noticed something else though. I don't know since when, but now BTT's virtual modifiers also work for app shortcuts. This means that everyone can create their own special hyperkey with the modifiers they want.

Example: double tap and hold left cmd, can also press shift. It corresponds to cmd+shift. Holding one modifier presses two and then releases both again.

However, this no longer works with shortcuts that have been set up in BTT. If I remember correctly, it used to be the other way around.

If you can fix this, the users' questions about other modifier combinations (for Hyperkey) will be solved. For BTT shortcuts and those of other apps.

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

ah yes, since one of the recent versions. I‘ll fix it not working for BTT shortcuts

[Frank1]

Great, to each his own hyperkey with any modifiers I'll do the explaining if anyone doesn't understand. Is that masochistic?

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

@frank1, would be interesting if this works for you with 4.967

[Frank1]

Unfortunately not. Could this be due to Ventura?

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

Could you post how you tried to configure it?

This kind of setup seems to work fine here now (tried with the dot key):

//edit sorry last screenshot contained mixed up/down of course it should both be key up

[Frank1]

Two key sequences

• press and hold cmd + letter triggers the normal shortcut

• Cmd double tap and hold additionally holds shift down.

releasing cmd releases both modifiers.

Look here

Cmd as multi-modifier

I use many shortcuts predefined by apps. For example ⌘+Z (undo) and ⌘⇧+Z. (redo). I can trigger the first shortcut blindly. But to press both modifiers, I have to look at the keyboard. That bothers me. BTT offers a simple solution to press ⌘ and ⇧ together with ⌘ only. Double press & hold ⌘ ---> additional triggers ⇧ down (predefined action) [image] If ⌘ is released, ⇧ is also released (predefined action, ⇧ up) [image] The result is: ⌘ press & hold + Z ---> undo ⌘ press twice & hold + …

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

Ah this is complicated, should work like this:
exported_triggers.bttpreset (9.3 KB)

[Frank1]

Thanks, I have imported your preset and tried it with various BTT shortcuts. The huds are displayed “shift down” and “shift up” but the shortcut is not triggered.

Edit: Both setups (mine and yours) work for shortcuts specified by an app with ⌘+⇧. I mainly need this for undo/redo.

For BTT shortcuts, I can solve it differently.

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

Ah, I think now it will work in 4.968 (uploading)

[Frank1]

Yes, it works now. Thank you, Andreas!! By the way, my setup also works.

Good, now everyone can create an individual “hyperkey” with BTT.

For the experienced hyperkey user, something like this is probably useful:

• Caps Lock down --> “normal” hyperkey.
• Double tap Caps Lock --> any other modifier combination.

Do you think this will work?

[Andreas_Hegenberg]

Yes this should work! (The double-tap cmd is not for me though, I do that too often accidentally)

[Frank1]

How good that you're not just making the app for yourself. For me, double-tap cmd is a great relief.

BTT is great!!!

Edit: Ähm, nicht, dass ich dir deine app erklären wollte ... aber wenn die "max Pause zwischen Tastenanschlägen" 0.2 s oder kleiner ist, ist es ziemlich schwierig, das unabsichtlich auszulösen.

[lukasvac]

I have trouble remembering all the existing shortcuts. Adding another layers with double-taps would make my head explode. Thanks, but no thanks.