Vortex Pok3r keyboard arrow key shortcuts as CapsLock + WASD using xmodmap

vortex_pok3r_arrow_key_shortcuts_README.md

Overview

Because my brain can't be untrained, I wanted to emulate the way I have my Vortex Pok3r keyboard arrow key shortcuts in software on my Linux (pop_os) lappy.

• Emulates the my hardware macro setup on my Vortex keyboard but in software.
• Hold CapsLock and use WASD as arrow keys
• Uses xmodmap (I don't think it works on wayland?)
• These steps work on pop_os with gnome.

Instructions

1. Create .Xmodmap file in home directory with the following contents:

clear Lock
keycode 66 = Mode_switch

keysym w = w W Up Up
keysym a = a A Left Left
keysym s = s S Down Down
keysym d = d D Right Right

• Adjust the mappings if you prefer something else like IJKL

2. Try activating manually by running this in a terminal:

xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

• Now try holding CapsLock and pressing WASD keys. They should be arrow keys now!

3. To get this to run everytime at startup, create ~/.config/autostart/xmodmapstart.desktop with the contents:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=bash -c "sleep 5 && /usr/bin/xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap"
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name[en_US]=Caps Lock to escape wasd
Name=xcape
Comment[en_US]=
Comment=

NOTE: for whatever reason, the sleep is necessary for this to work. If you know a better way for this to work in pop_os please comment!

4. Now test it by rebooting, logging in, and trying it out.

• This may not work with othre distros/WMs, so you may need to modify the autostart stuff
  • (.Xmodmap is picked up by some, but others may need to use .xsession or something else.