Xmodmap macOS configuration

xmodmap-macos.md

Xmodmap macOS configuration

Xmodmap configuration that swaps ctrl and cmd keys to achieve macOS-like behaviour.

Installation

1. Open or create .Xmodmap file in your ~/ folder.

2. Paste the following code into that file:

   ! -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
   
   ! macOS-like key mapping
   
   ! default mapping
   ! keycode 37 = Control_L NoSymbol Control_L
   ! keycode 64 = Alt_L Meta_L Alt_L Meta_L
   ! keycode 92 = ISO_Level3_Shift NoSymbol ISO_Level3_Shift
   ! keycode 105 = Control_R NoSymbol Control_R
   ! keycode 108 = ISO_Level3_Shift NoSymbol ISO_Level3_Shift
   ! keycode 133 = Super_L NoSymbol Super_L
   ! keycode 134 = Super_R NoSymbol Super_R
   ! keycode 204 = NoSymbol Alt_L NoSymbol Alt_L
   ! keycode 206 = NoSymbol Super_L NoSymbol Super_L
   
   ! moddified mapping
   clear control
   clear mod1
   clear mod4
   clear mod5
   keycode 37 = Super_L NoSymbol Super_L
   keycode 108 = Alt_R NoSymbol Alt_R
   keycode 133 = Control_L NoSymbol Control_L
   keycode 134 = Control_R NoSymbol Control_R
   add control = Control_L Control_R
   add mod1 = Alt_L Meta_L
   add mod4 = Super_L Super_R
   add mod5 = Alt_R Meta_R
   

3. Run the following command in terminal and compare your values with the default mapping values in provided .Xmodmap config:

   xmodmap -pke | grep -P '(Control|Super|Alt|Level3)'
   

   • If your keycodes values are different, you will need to remap these by yourself. You can run xmodmap -pke to print out all keycodes or use xev utility (help).

4. Apply the changes:

   xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
   

Limitations

• This modification does not replicate the macOS terminal controls (i.e. ctrl+c to cancel). A workaround for this limitation is possible with AutoKey scripts.