Karabiner private.xml to swap option and command keys for Parallels

private.xml

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <appdef>
    <appname>PARALLELS</appname>
    <equal>com.parallels.desktop.console</equal>
  </appdef>

  <devicevendordef>
    <vendorname>MICROSOFT</vendorname>
    <vendorid>0x045e</vendorid>
  </devicevendordef>

  <deviceproductdef>
    <productname>MICROSOFT_ERGONOMIC_KEYBOARD</productname>
    <productid>0x00db</productid>
  </deviceproductdef>

  <item>
    <name>Swap Command and Option (Parallels)</name>
    <identifier>private.app_parallels_swap_command_and_option</identifier>
    <only>PARALLELS</only>
    <device_only>DeviceVendor::MICROSOFT, DeviceProduct::MICROSOFT_ERGONOMIC_KEYBOARD</device_only>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::OPTION_L, KeyCode::COMMAND_L</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::OPTION_L</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::COMMAND_R, KeyCode::OPTION_L</autogen>
  </item>
</root>

The intent for this setting is that it would be used with Parallels and a non-Apple keyboard, like the Microsoft Natural Keyboard (4000 or 7000).

There are two steps required. One is going into the Keyboard preferences, then the Modifier Keys, choosing the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard and swapping Option to Command and Command to Option. This makes the placement correct for all Mac-specific apps. The second is to tell Karabiner to swap those keys back for Parallels using a private.xml setting. See also https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/document.html.en#privatexml for additional documentation.

Note that this would work just fine for VMWare or VirtualBox as well, you would just have to change the references to "com.parallels.desktop.console" to whatever app bundle name you want these settings to reflect in.

Leave comments for questions.

Other Updates for Karabiner:

• Enable "Application Key to Option_R (right option key)"

Change Log

• Nov. 17, 2014
  • Updated to support both left and right alt keys.
• Nov. 18, 2014
  • Updated to only do this for both Parallels and when using my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard. I want the internal MacBook Pro keyboard to still behave the same way.
  • Note that you'll want to use Karabiner's EventViewer to determine your device's specific vendor id and product id (see docs for more details).

@drmohundro

You seem to understand this quiet a bit. Would you be able to help me with the problem I am having?
I want to remap the WINDOWS key to the ALT_LEFT key (if possible ONLY for my windows keyboard, if not profiles are fine).
Thing is that the command and alt key on mac are reversed on a windows keyboard. I would like to start coding with my mechanical keyboard (which is the windows layout). This is with removable keycaps, so when I would start working I would simple switch the two keycaps.

BTW: this is what I have now, but it is not working.. (also dont know how to check if this is 'active').

<item> <name>Swap Command and lEFT Alt</name> <identifier>private.swap_command_and_alt</identifier> <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::OPTION_L</autogen> <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::OPTION_L, KeyCode::COMMAND_L</autogen> </item>

Thanks

@NicolasVanhecke my apologies, but I never was notified of your comment, otherwise I would have tried to respond!

I'm not sure off hand what might be going on with your problem, but I will say that, if you're on MacOS Sierra, Karabiner doesn't work any more and you'd need Karabiner Elements instead. That's actually what I'm using now and it has a GUI for mapping keys per device (which is a relatively new feature). It's a lot easier than messing with the private.xml file.

Regarding notifications... oh. This is why - isaacs/github#21. 🤦‍♂️

See latest Karabiner Elements support to give me all of these options at https://github.com/drmohundro/dotfiles/blob/master/config/karabiner/karabiner.json.