Qmk_firmware: Is it possible to have key-chords?

[blasco]

Feature Request Type

• [ ] Core functionality
• [ ] Add-on hardware support (eg. audio, RGB, OLED screen, etc.)
• [ ] Alteration (enhancement/optimization) of existing feature(s)
• [x] New behavior

Description

Hi, I'm considering buying the Ergodox. I see a lot of interesting functionality such as:

Dedicated Hyper and Meh keys, Space-cadet Shift, Mouse Control, Dual-function Keys

I'm specially in love with the "Dual-function Keys", it was something that I never thought about before.

I've been using vim for over 8 ages, and one thing that completely boosted my workflow was adding key-chords (also known as vim-arpeggios).

The idea here is that you can simultaneously press two keys two obtain a different effect (it's quite aligned with the "Dual-functions Keys" functionality). This allows to create very powerful key combinations (it's like extending ctrl and shift to every single key on the keyboard) with the advantage of rich mnemonics:

Example:
In vim, if you press:
s := substitute text
p := paste text
With my configuration, I can add a chord, so if I press both of them simultaneously:
s+p := search in project (very ergonomic and easy to remember)
I get a completely, easy to remember, ergonomic behavior.

I wonder if the keyboard could have that functionality, so I could extend this to any program. We could map easy to remember key combinations to more complex ones:
s+f := search in file -> mapped to ctrl-f

Just some more examples that I use:

e+r := edit recent := fuzzy find recent opened files
e+p := edit file in project := fuzzy find files in the current opened project
x+o := explorer open := open the file explorer
x+l := explorer locate := open and locate the current file in the file explorer
x+p := explore project := open the file explorer at the root of the project
u+o := undo history open
s+a := search all
s+f := search in file
s+p := search in project
... etc

As you can see this is much more powerful than having just the shift and ctrl modifier (which their semantic meaning is very limited), it's like having a modifier for each letter on the alphabet

Once you start using key-chords you cannot stop using them! I use lots of them and they literally allow to do two keystrokes at the time of just one.

The only limitation is choosing the key-chords wisely, there are some combinations that can be not very ergonomic, like q+hor z+b, but common sense makes very easy to chose the right ones.

Also, chords with more than 2 keys are possible (for example a+s+d) which creates even more possibilities, although personally with 2 key-chords I satisfy all my current needs.

Could this be achieved? I would love contributing to make this happen

[blindsteal]

Hey there, I'm just getting started with QMK myself but did you check out combos?
With this you should theoretically be able to map whatever Chord you want to whatever Keycodes you want.

[blasco]

That's fantastic! It's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much :)

[blasco]

Do you know it the combos can be added via the configuration tool? @blindsteal

[zvecr]

No, its going to be a compile from source thing.

[blindsteal]

Yeah @blasco sorry I didn't mention that, I've never used the configurator because I'm currently building from a fork anyway 😬
It's not too hard though, just follow the steps in the tutorial section 🙂