Keyboard Layouts: Examples

Navigation and other non-printable functions are provided by the Extend layer, which is heavily based on DreymaR's original.

The Extend layer is selected via the left-most thumb key. This layer provides navigation, page up/down, home/end on the right-hand side. Backspace ⌫ is assigned to a comfortable spot on a strong index finger (Ext-H), with Delete ⌦ also well positioned on the home-row (Ext-O).

On the left-hand side are home-row modifiers for Alt, Super, Shift, Control and AltGr on A,R,S,T,G respectively. As with DreymaR's Extend, these modifiers can be held down and combined with other Extend functions such as arrows etc, to comfortably produce combinations like Ctrl ⌫, Alt ←. Importantly though, these home-row modifiers are also implemented as one-shot (sticky) keys, which makes it easy to do Control and Alt shortcuts without needing dedicated modifier keys. An additional non-sticky Super key is provided on Ext-D as some desktop environments require this key to be tapped on its own. Commonly used operations like Cut, Copy, Paste and Undo have dedicated shortcuts in this layer too.

Examples:

(i) Output Ctrl-A using Ext-t a

(ii) Output Ctrl-W using Ext-t w

(iii) Output Alt-Tab using Ext-a-,

Xah Gergo Layout

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/f89d2ff79b72e920939b

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/e213fec721cb035614cef401cd6750d6

from the Reddit comment

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/acec41432b5ce0eb341d88245a20d9da_

QWERTY layer

Not much to see here, pretty essential default layer provides a standard QWERTY; layout, however if the 'z' or '/' key is held it acts as a shift, likewise the 'q' key acts like control when held; having these basic modifiers easily accessible is entirely essential. Backspace and space are available on the innermost thumb cluster keys on the left and right, respectively. The outermost thumb cluster keys give access to the hex and symbols layers (left and right, respectively), while the middle thumb cluster keys access the left and right modifier layers. The left and right thumb buttons become delete and enter whenever the modifiers layer is active. The QWERTY layer is indicated by a blue underglow.

Hex layer (lower)

The hex layer is accessed by the left thumb holding or double-tapping the "Lower" key. The hex layer glows pink.

A numpad layer is fairly common on the layouts I've seen and used, but I cannot recall seeing a hexpad layer anywhere. Since I actually do find myself typing hex fairly often it seemed reasonable to forgo a traditional numpad. Instead I used the fifteen keys on the right hand to provide the numbers 1-F with 0 on the thumbcluster. I type numbers in a variety of contexts and they each use distinct punctuation to separate the digits. For instance, typing a datetime requires up to 4 symbols (e.g. 2020-08-16T06:03:56.69420) while typing any maths requires having operators close at hand. To address this I used the left hand for a variety of symbols which find regular use alongside numbers. For convenience I provided delete, space, and enter as well. While on the hex layer pressing the "Raise" key will change layers to the function layer.

Symbols layer (raise)

Access the symbols layer by holding or double-tapping the "Raise" key. Symbols are active when the board glows cyan.

The symbols layer gives access to all the symbols, importantly I wanted to have underscore and all the brackets really prominently on the hand opposite the "Raise" key. Pressing the "Lower" key while on the symbol layer also makes the function layer active. This symmetric arrangement permits the function layer to be accessed by touching the raise and lower keys simultaneously.

modifiers layer (left and right)

Using a text editor essentially requires having ready access to all modifier keys in conjunction with any normal key, so a layer which features a modifier key covering any normal key presents a problem. My solution to this is to provide two separate modifier layers which each only consume one hand of the split layout, the other hand is completely transparent to allow access to whichever key from any of the QWERTY, hex, or symbols layer might be needed.

The left modifier layer is accessed by holding the "Mod" under your left thumb and will be signified with a red glow under your left hand (and right with right).

The placement of the modifiers is mirror imaged on either side. Caps lock is accessible on both sides, which when active one LED on each side will glow white.

navigation layer

The navigation layer places arrow keys on the left side of the board. Find it by tapping both of the "Mod" keys, and recognize it by the three top LEDs of the right half glowing green.

function layer

The function layer provides access to the F-keys, print screen, num lock, and insert. It underglows white and can be accessed by hitting both the "Raise" and "Lower" keys.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/d06425aaccaef71cf3d0ffbc0e2042ba_

from the Reddit comment

I went a long way down those rabbit holes! I'd say definitely don't bother with 4grams. You can and probably would go mad. The only way I'm typing on an infinitely better layout now, is because:

• I remembered that my peak Dvorak speed, after a few years of all-day/every-day use and frequent speed test practice, was only marginally better than qwerty; and typical use was slower. Which suggests to me at least, that the strength of brain wiring is more important to speed and accuracy, than any specific layout, even as grossly suboptimal as qwerty is. (And like most, I had developed organic, mostly subconscious workarounds for qwerty's worst flaws.)
• There are SO many tradeoffs and compromises that have to be weighted and considered, it's literally not possible to accomplish all objectives. Optimize top 3grams? Sacrifice top 2grams. Optimize top 2grams? Sacrifice pinkie curling. It's endless (even with tools like this), and maddening. I eventually realized that, while I could still weight other concerns, I had to really focus on two main things: minimal pinkie use, and minimal index finger stretching. That greatly simplified things, and was the only thing that allowed me to make progress. Basically the only other priorities that had significant influence after that, was alternating fingers!
• I gave all the major modern layouts really good runs. Colmak[/dh], Workman, Carpalx QGMLWY, and several ortholinear/thumb-cluster derivatives. I desperately wanted one - any one - to work. They all made too many tradeoffs. (And had too many "quality-of-life" issues such as dumb navigation or Fn-key layering.) For example, many layouts make the inexplicable choice to maintain ZXCV, and/or symbols locations. But that immediately and severely constrains your options! Such wholly unnecessary artificial hamstringing must be the first thing to go if you want to have any hope of optimizing much else.
• Even the few layouts that avoid those mistakes, still seem to optimize for a five-finger home row, that involves too much pinkie, and index stretching. That's bad for me personally, and I'm now realizing possibly in general too.

My work has all been local, but I've recently begun open-sourcing it. More to come.

https://github.com/t00mietum/keyboard_

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i8QfbnC41kJ8Fhe2n4VAXiONWaPQjeGDeqqHqsaXD2Y/edit?usp=sharing

https://configure.ergodox-ez.com/moonlander/layouts/7Qqby/

https://configure.ergodox-ez.com/planck-ez/layouts/En5W5/

By another user:

Incase you're interested my 61 are:

• 26 Letters
• 10 numbers
• 11 symbols: ,.;'`/[]-= (and their shifted options)
• 4 modifiers: shift, ctl, alt, win
• 3 whitespace: space, tab, enter
• backspace and delete,
• arrow keys
• esc

I gave serious consideration to autoshift, but opted not to because:

• I knew I'd be layering modifier keys on top of letters,
• I reasoned that I'd be already struggling mightily with new (to me) ortho config, all modifier keys moved around; numbers, Fn, nav, and symbols moved, and a new alpha layout. (And I am struggling! But by now it's a sound layout. Just need muscle memory. I struggled through dvorak successfully, I'll get this too.) Adding autoshift to the mix might break my brain. Esp as I type painfully slow now, but eventually 80 to 100 wpm.

I've been thinking about OSM. I think it would work well for things like Fn layer, which as afaicr, are only ever single presses. But not, I think, for things like ctrl or shift, where you might (and I often do) hold it down while doing a number of things in succession, e.g. "advanced" text navigation, selection, etc. Similarly with Alt, for things like text multiselect, Linux window management, file manager navigation, etc.

I love the Microdox, thanks for that link! I might have to order one. Like yours, my layouts are specifically designed with that form factor in mind as a lowest common denominator. I ordered this months ago, but have given up on it shipping.

So, my layouts are fully functional if all the extra keys go away.

https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/tree/master/docs/reference

https://kbd.news/Numbers-in-Pnohty-1230.html

The gist of the trick is that the frequency of numbers is different but sort of descending: 0123 are the most frequently used ones and 789 are much rarer.

So with numbers on a logical layer, instead of putting 456 on the home row (as it's done on the classic numpad) you can put 123 (Pnohty) or 0123 (my approach) in the best positions:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/9b6379d4940a356bf904ea5452bf3956

Reddit comment

https://github.com/phaberest/qmk_firmware

• Layer Overview*

  • Layer 0: QWERTY Base

    ┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐     ┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐
    │ GRV │  Q  │  W  │  E  │  R  │  T  │     │  Y  │  U  │  I  │  O  │  P  │BSPC │
    ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
    │ESC/6│  A  │  S  │  D  │  F  │  G  │     │  H  │  J  │  K  │  L  │ ; : │ ' " │
    ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
    │LSFT │  Z  │  X  │  C  │  V  │  B  │     │  N  │  M  │ , < │ . > │ / ? │RSFT │
    └─────┴─────┴─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┴─────┴─────┘
                      │LALT │TAB/2│SPC/3│     │ENT/⇧│LGUI │RCTL │
                      └─────┴─────┴─────┘     └─────┴─────┴─────┘
    

  • Layer 1: Colemak-DH Base

    ┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐     ┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐
    │ GRV │  Q  │  W  │  F  │  P  │  B  │     │  J  │  L  │  U  │  Y  │ ; : │BSPC │
    ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
    │ESC/6│  A  │  R  │  S  │  T  │  G  │     │  M  │  N  │  E  │  I  │  O  │ ' " │
    ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
    │LSFT │  Z  │  X  │  C  │  D  │  V  │     │  K  │  H  │ , < │ . > │ / ? │RSFT │
    └─────┴─────┴─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤     ├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┴─────┴─────┘
                      │LALT │TAB/2│SPC/3│     │ENT/⇧│LGUI │RCTL │
                      └─────┴─────┴─────┘     └─────┴─────┴─────┘
    

  • Layer 2: Navigation/Media
    • Arrow keys, page navigation, word navigation
    • Media controls (play/pause, volume, brightness)
    • Copy/paste shortcuts
  • Layer 3: Numbers/Symbols
    • Number pad on right side
    • Symbol keys on left side
    • Mathematical operators
  • Layer 4: Function Keys (Bitwise Input)
    • Innovative bitwise input system
    • Left home row keys act as binary bits: A(1) + S(2) + D(4) + F(8) + G(16)
    • Examples: A+D = 1+4 = 5 = F5, S+F = 2+8 = 10 = F10
    • Access to all F1-F24 function keys
  • Layer 5: Gaming (Work in Progress)
    • Standard WASD layout
    • Optimized for gaming with direct access to common keys
    • Chat mode for quick typing during games
  • Layer 6: Mouse/Utilities
    • Mouse movement and scroll wheel
    • Mouse buttons
    • Keyboard reset and utilities
• Combo System* The keyboard features comprehensive combos that adapt to your current layout (QWERTY/Colemak-DH). Each combo is mapped to equivalent key positions on both layouts, so you learn one set of finger movements that work regardless of your active layout:

  • Brackets & Parentheses

    Combo	QWERTY Keys	Colemak Keys	Output
    ()	D+F	S+T	( )
    []	E+R	F+P	[ ]
    {}	C+V	C+D	{ }
    <>	W+E, I+O	W+F, U+Y	< >

  • Mathematical Operators

    Combo	QWERTY Keys	Colemak Keys	Output
    Plus	R+U	P+L	+
    Minus	V+M	D+H	-
    Equal	F+J	T+N	=
    Asterisk	E+I	F+U	​*
    Underscore	R+T	P+B	_

  • Special Characters

    Combo	QWERTY Keys	Colemak Keys	Output
    Tilde	A+S	A+R	~
    Grave	S+D	R+S	`
    Exclamation	Y+U	J+L	!
    At symbol	H+J	M+N	@
    Hash	F+G	T+G	​#
    Dollar	S+L	R+I	$
    Percent	V+B	D+V	%
    Caret	N+M	K+H	^
    Ampersand	D+K	S+E	&

  • Utility Combos

    Combo	Keys	Action
    Word Delete	4+5	Alt+Backspace

• Special Features
  • Layout Switching
    • Toggle Layout: Access via Function layer to switch between QWERTY and Colemak-DH
    • Persistent Storage: Your layout preference is saved to EEPROM
    • Smart Combos: Combos automatically map to equivalent key positions on your active layout

  • Bitwise Function Keys The most unique feature - use binary combinations on the left home row:

    • A = 1, S = 2, D = 4, F = 8, G = 16
    • Hold combinations to generate F-keys: A+D = F5, S+F = F10, etc.
    • Access all F1-F24 keys with simple finger combinations

    Idea brutally copied from this excellent article - full credit to the original author!

  • Auto Mouse Layer
    • Automatically activates when trackpoint movement is detected
    • 1-second timeout returns to previous layer
    • Full mouse control with buttons and scroll wheel
  • Caps Lock Toggle
    • Press both shift keys simultaneously to toggle Caps Lock
    • Visual feedback on OLED display