Key Mapper

A tool to change and program the mapping of your input device buttons.

Usage

To open the UI to modify the mappings, look into your applications menu and search for 'Key Mapper' in settings. You can also start it via key-mapper-gtk. It works with both Wayland and X11.

If stuff doesn't work, check the output of key-mapper-gtk -d and feel free to open up an issue here.

Macros

It is possible to write timed macros into the center column:

• k(1).k(2) 1, 2
• r(3, k(a).w(500)) a, a, a with 500ms pause
• m(Control_L, k(a).k(x)) CTRL + a, CTRL + x

Documentation:

• r repeats the execution of the second parameter
• w waits in milliseconds
• k writes a single keystroke
• m holds a modifier while executing the second parameter
• . executes two actions behind each other

Names

For a list of supported keystrokes and their names, check the output of xmodmap -pke

• Alphanumeric a to z and 0 to 9
• Modifiers Alt_L Control_L Control_R Shift_L Shift_R

If you can't find what you need, consult linux/input-event-codes.h

• Mouse buttons BTN_LEFT BTN_RIGHT BTN_MIDDLE BTN_SIDE
• Macro special keys KEY_MACRO1 KEY_MACRO2 ...

Gamepads

Tested with the XBOX 360 Gamepad. Joystick movements will be translated to mouse movements and buttons can be mapped to keycodes or macros. This is only partially done though.

Installation

After your installation, independent of the method, you should add yourself to the input and plugdev groups so that you can read information from your devices. You have to start the application via sudo otherwise.

sudo usermod -a -G plugdev,input $USER
# log out and back in or restart, the two groups should be visible with:
groups

Git/pip

sudo pip install git+https://github.com/sezanzeb/key-mapper.git

Manjaro/Arch

pacaur -S key-mapper-git

Ubuntu/Debian

wget "https://github.com/sezanzeb/key-mapper/releases/"\
"download/0.1.0/python3-key-mapper_0.1.0-1_all.deb"
sudo dpkg -i python3-key-mapper_0.1.0-1_all.deb

Roadmap

• show a dropdown to select valid devices
• creating presets per device
• renaming presets
• show a mapping table
• make that list extend itself automatically
• read keycodes with evdev
• inject the mapping
• keep the system defaults for unmapped buttons
• button to stop mapping and using system defaults
• highlight changes and alert before discarding unsaved changes
• automatically load presets on login for plugged in devices
• make sure it works on wayland
• support timed macros, maybe using some sort of syntax
• add to the AUR, provide .deb file
• automatically load presets when devices get plugged in after login
• support gamepads as keyboard and mouse combi (partially done)

Tests

pylint keymapper --extension-pkg-whitelist=evdev
sudo pip install . && coverage run tests/test.py
coverage combine && coverage report -m

To read events, evtest is very helpful.