The Most Productive Customization I've Made to My Computer This Year
Published: 2021-07-12 19:13:13

## Introduction
A few weeks ago I did it. I converted my **Caps Lock** key into a "Hyper Key." Meaning, whenever I hit Caps Lock, it's the same as holding down `Cmd + Ctrl + Option + Shift`. 

Let's be honest, its hard to hold down `Cmd + Ctrl + Option + Shift`, at the same time. *But*, that also means, I didn't have any keyboard shortcuts with that combination. This opened up a whole new world of commands.

### Quick Note

If you're resistant to "loosing" your Caps Lock, like I was (because I actually use my Caps Lock key), I moved that functionality to my *right* shift key. Already, I use my *left* shift key exclusively, so I didn't feel like I was "loosing" anything.

While I was making modifications, I also converted my right command to an extra escape key. I have the 15" Macbook Pro with the touch bar. When I'm working at my desk, I have an external keyboard. But, when I'm working directly on my laptop, I miss the tactile escape key. Plus, I'm running [Better Touch Tool](https://folivora.ai/) to customize the touch bar, which shifts my escape key over, ruining my muscle memory

![IMG_2850](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wieazhbxy2ow5gq2nym1.jpeg)

## How to Set up Your Hyper Key
Go to [Karabiner-Elements](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/) and download their software (it's free) 

![CleanShot_2020-09-16_at_20.19.082x](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qq23je1rnbaje0oy86hq.png) 

Once it's downloaded, double click on the .dmg to unpack and open it. Then, double click on the .pkg inside and go through the install process

![package-karabiner-elements](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gakzbe7sp3f43ork1wzm.png) 

Click on the **Complex Modifications** tab. 

![complex-modifications](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/litmcm4l4zqp3abqas1d.png)
 
Click on the **Add Rule** button at the bottom left.

![add-rule-button](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8yshxsvj2od5uet6zdiz.png)
 

Click on the **Import more rules from the Internet (open a web browser)** button at the top. 

![import-rules](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3u57qmcb3v43zpu2amtr.png)

As the button says, this will launch a web browser with a list of modifications you can import. There are plenty plenty of options there, to scroll through and give you inspiration.

![web-browser-with-modifications](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4697p9f3as7v01q6t99f.png)

Once you've found one you like, click on the Import button. 

![karabiner-elements-options](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pa1t6u8rol6iqrgsrjbz.png)

A pop-up will come up asking if you want to **Open Karabiner-Elements.app?** Click on the "Open" button.

![open-karabiner-elements-app](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/78u4t9muict4xff3d2zx.png)

This will launch Karabiner-Elements. It will show you a pop-up explaining the control you're importing. You can click **Import** to confirm or **Cancel**. Don't worry, you can always undo. 

As I mentioned earlier, I installed 3 different modifications:
1. The caps lock key simulates hitting the Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + Option key
2. The Right Shift key is the "new" caps lock key — Interestingly enough, the light on the "real" caps lock key goes on and off whenever I hit the "new" shift key.
3. The Right Command key is a second escape key.

![complex-modifications-listed](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fbl5143bvm6crh7vmt49.png)

## Shortcuts I've set up

### Keyboard Maestro

I set up all the keyboard shortcuts through a program called [Keyboard Maestro](https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/). Unfortunately, this program is not free and costs $36. — but, definitely worth it. The options it provides seem endless.
![keyboard-maestro2x](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/c4e4r2l72rna60xuo1on.png)

If you click through the groups in the left panel, you'll find a bunch of "macros" that you can enable and pair with a keyboard shortcut. Of course, you can also create your own custom commands.

Most of the commands I've created are designed to jump between my favorite applications. 

- `Hyper + B`: Opens Chrome
- `Hyper + C`: Opens VS Code
- `Hyper + E`: Opens AirMail (my email client of choice)
- `Hyper + F`: Opens Finder
- `Hyper + M`: Opens Messages
- `Hyper + N`: Opens Notion

I have a few commands for navigating to my favorite directories:

- `Hyper + P`: jumps to the Projects directory
- `Hyper + S`: Opens the Vlog directory

A couple of miscellaneous items:

- `Ctrl + Shift + G`: Searches the Internet. This is great for a quick Google Search
- `Hyper + V`: will paste whatever is in my clipboard without any styling. - You know when you copy something that's been formatted (bold / italics). This strips out all the formatting before pasting.

### Better Touch Tool

I mentioned earlier, that I have Better Touch Tool installed on my computer, as well. Unfortunately, this program isn't free either. $8.50 will give you updates for 2 years. $20.50 will give you lifetime updates. 

![better-touch-tool](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/j716aqzk98wrw88r8rg5.png)

*NOTE:* Where this program really shines is extending the functionality your trackpad or customizing your touch bar.

I set up some keyboard shortcuts here, too, since it has some great options for window management. Here are the commands I setup:

- `Hyper + D`: Shows the Desktop.
- `Hyper + 1`:  Makes the current window 100% tall. I found that when I was plugging / unplugging from my external monitor, windows would resize. This allows me to resize my window quickly.
- `Hyper + A`: When I'm editing on my ultra-wide monitor, I have a particular window configuration I like to use. Now, when I hit this keyboard shortcut, my windows automatically rearrange for this workflow.
- `Hyper + H`: Hides all window.

I use the next 3 commands together:

- `Hyper + J`: Snaps and fills the window to the left third of the screen
- `Hyper + K`: Snaps and fills the window the center third of the screen
- `Hyper + L`: Snaps and fills the window to the right third of the screen

The next 2 commands are similar:

- `Hyper + Left Arrow`: Moves the current window one space to the left. — This is great if you use Apple Spaces feature. I can quickly move windows from one space to the next with my keyboard.
- `Hyper + Right Arrow`: Moves the current window one space to the right.

## Conclusion

This all took a little bit of setup, but the ~30 minutes, hour set up has been well worth it and it has made moving around my computer with the keyboard faster.

### In the Comments...

What keyboard shortcuts do you have set up? Any I should add to the mix?