Hello,
I very much enjoy using key sequences.
My concern is to address the "delete typed characters" or not issue.
If I don't delete, I end up with extra typed characters in whatever application I am in which is not ideal. I stopped deleting because I have had a few incidents where for whatever reason, the delete action deleted important notes or files probably because the focus had changed.
my suggestion: when defining the key sequence, give the user the option to have a blank input pane (like the one shown below) show up on the screen, which will disappear once the key sequence has been pressed.
In the meantime, is there a workaround ?
thanks in advance for your time and help
How would BTT know that you are about to enter a key sequence? You can show such a field by using the predefined action "Ask for input"
@lucas222 Have you looked at the block/unblock keyboard feature? This is ideal for key sequences because nothing is typed and therefore nothing has to be deleted. So, for example.
- Double tap cmd --> Keyboard blocked
- type what you want, something is triggered and the keyboard is reactivated.
Anything typed while the keyboard is blocked will only reach BTT, no other app. So it is not possible to delete something by accident.
I was thinking about the key sequence setting. Perhaps add the block / unblock option mentioned by the brilliant @Frank1
As always Frankie, you come up with brilliant ideas.
is there a way to toggle block / unblock instead of creating 2 BTT gestures to do so?
Basically, the idea scares me because I am an idiot.
- Is there a way to make block / unblock idiot proof, for example putting a 5 second time limit ?
- if I block the keyboard, forget about it and restart my mac, will I recover the keyboard ?.
thank you both very much
yes, in any case you can also quit BTT to recover the keyboard
how can that be if the typing the key sequence is the problem ?
CAG: conditional action group. What is the exact name of the action in english or german ?
thanks very much !
I asked chatGPT (posted for the benefit of forum members)
ChatGPT
A Conditional Activation Group in Better Touch Tool (BTT) for Mac is a powerful feature that allows users to apply specific BTT configurations and behaviors based on certain conditions. These conditions can be based on the active application, the focused window, or other criteria. Here’s a detailed explanation of what a Conditional Activation Group is and how to configure it:
What is a Conditional Activation Group?
A Conditional Activation Group (CAG) allows you to create a set of rules that, when met, activate a specific group of gestures, shortcuts, or actions. This enables you to customize your BTT setup dynamically, adapting to different applications or scenarios without manually switching profiles or settings.
Configuring a Conditional Activation Group
- Open Better Touch Tool: Launch Better Touch Tool from your Applications folder or the menu bar.
- Navigate to Conditional Activation Groups:
- Go to the "Advanced" tab on the left sidebar.
- Select "Conditional Activation Groups" from the dropdown menu.
- Create a New Conditional Activation Group:
- Click the "+" button to create a new group.
- Name your group something descriptive, like "Safari Browsing Mode" or "Photo Editing Mode."
- Set Conditions:
- Application: Choose the applications for which this group should be activated. You can specify one or multiple applications.
- Window Title: Optionally, you can specify conditions based on the window title. This is useful if you want different behaviors for different documents or web pages within the same application.
- Other Conditions: You can add other conditions such as the presence of certain menu items, system states (e.g., whether a specific display is connected), or even specific times of day.
- Add Triggers and Actions:
- Within the Conditional Activation Group, add the gestures, keyboard shortcuts, or other triggers you want to use when the conditions are met.
- Configure the actions that these triggers should perform.
- Test and Adjust:
- Test your Conditional Activation Group to ensure it behaves as expected.
- Adjust the conditions or actions if necessary to refine the behavior.
Example Configuration
Suppose you want to create a Conditional Activation Group for Safari that changes your trackpad gestures when you are browsing. Here's how you can set it up:
- Create a New Group:
- Name it "Safari Browsing."
- Set the Condition:
- Application: Select "Safari."
- Add Triggers and Actions:
- Add a new trackpad gesture (e.g., a three-finger swipe).
- Set the action for this gesture (e.g., switch between tabs).
- Save and Test:
- Save your changes.
- Open Safari and test the new gestures.
By using Conditional Activation Groups, you can significantly enhance your productivity and customize your Mac's behavior to suit your workflow perfectly.
I'm afraid I don't understand your questions 
Perhaps a concrete example would help.
Suppose you want to see the clipboard manager when you type "j" while the keyboard is blocked.
-
set up a key sequence - double tap cmd --> blocks the keyboard (predefined action)
-
set up a CAG
- set up a key sequence in that CAG, type "j", that performs these actions.
If you now double-tap cmd and then type "j", the clipboard manager opens. At the same time, the keyboard is reactivated (see last action)
Does that help?
crystal clear. Thank you again very much @Frank1