How to create your own CUSTOM complex modifications?

[neilpanchal]

Presumably, I am in the minority here? I can't seem to find out how to create my own custom modification.

Help file doesn't help: https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/document.html#configuration-complex-modifications

It mentions briefly that "or create your own" but doesn't actually tell you. Google search didn't turn up any useful results.

The app only allows me to import from https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/complex_modifications/

which again, doesn't instruct the user about how to create one from scratch.

I've since modified the .json in ~/.config/karabiner/custom_modifications file by installing something similar off of the official repository.

As a feedback, it is critical to put a note somewhere in the main application that informs the average joe using this app about how to create a new custom modification. I was completely lost and I am still lost, but I managed to modify the .json file and for now this is ok.

[tekezo]

Here: https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/json.html

[neilpanchal]

@tekezo Thank you. This needs to be included somewhere in the GUI or the Karabiner official repository of complex modifications.

[grrowl]

Would be great to have that document more prominently linked. Had to reverse engineer adding one from web but substituting for a file:/// URL instead. It works :)

[RochelleBS]

Sorry to be a dolt, Tekezo, but I don't understand how to create a complex modification from scratch. Can you please give some total newbie step-by-steps? I'm guessing this doesn't use the GUI to actually create the modifications, but only to turn them on or off.

[grrowl]

1. Read the docs at https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/json.html
2. Edit the file at ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json. It will include all currently enabled rules (so it might be a very big file), but you can edit and add new complex modifications there.
3. This file is reloaded by Karabiner Elements on every save, so you can test. It will help to open Karabiner Elements > Log, and check for any red errors (which may indicate incorrect config values or keys, or other problems with your modifications)

[RochelleBS]

Thank you. Tom McKenzie wrote:

…

1. Read the docs at https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/json.html 2. Edit the file at |~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json|. It will include all currently enabled rules (so it might be a very big file), but you can edit and add new complex modifications there. 3. This file is reloaded by Karabiner Elements on every save, so you can test. It will help to open Karabiner Elements > Log, and check for any red errors (which may indicate incorrect config values or keys, or other problems with your modifications) — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1225 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AiA03YfZjZufmEsi7fSGcTPW92wiKPk1ks5tM-8hgaJpZM4RdtXU>.

[NPatrakov]

hello to all! Please help me. i`m going crazy with new version of karabiner. what to insert to json file to do
Change Option_R+,(≤) to Comma(,) Key for Russian
Change Option_R+,(≥) to Dot(.) Key for Russian
@tekezo

[prohtex]

@tekezo How about bringing this button back?

[YayC]

To make these persist across updates, I tried adding a new file: ~/.config/karabiner/assets/complex_modifications/mine.json (using an imported file as an example). This seems to be working fine after enabling it from the preferences > complex modifications tab, but I have not updated since to test persistence.

Should this be the supported method for adding custom complex modifications?

[babarrett]

Yes, YayC's creation / edit of ~/.config/karabiner/assets/complex_modifications/mine.json should be included within: https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/json.html

I also noticed that in order to do an edit / run cycle I needed to:

1. edit ...mine.json
2. "remove" the active custom complex_modifcations I'd already enabled for that file in the preferences
3. re-enable those complex_modifcations in the preferences

Without that the edited code seems not be reloaded. :-(

[llamerr]

Something like "Import JSON from file" inside "Add rule" would be very useful

[egstad]

I'm looking to create a complex modification that converts the fn + spacebar keys into a backspace, however i'm not having any luck. I've played around with other key_codes and mandatory keys and the rule works great. Have I missed something?

{
    "from": {
        "key_code": "spacebar",
        "modifiers": {
            "mandatory": [
                "fn"
            ]
        }
    },
    "to": [
        {
            "key_code": "delete_or_backspace"
        }
    ],
    "type": "basic"
}

[crawfyp1]

Good evening

Total noob here. I would like to swap @ and " on my keyboard. I assume this is a complex modification as it involves shift and another key?

I have tried simple modification but cant achieve what I'm looking to do. I have read the complex modification instructions but I'm not a coder and it's totally beyond my skill set.

Can anyone help me? I can follow step by step instructions, or could someone upload so I can download from the complex mod import site?

Very grateful for any help

[HBinswanger]

I have an XML profile from the pre-Sierra version. It has lots of carefully crafted code. I don't see how to import that into the Elements or translate it to something Elements can use. I'm a newbie; help would be greatly appreciated.

[revelt]

@jordanegstad I think there's a rule which prohibits all-function-key combos (like CMD+ALT+CTRL), there has to be a non-functional key in the key combo. As a last resort, try sacrificing F12 for example, remapping it as fn, then map F12+spacebar instead. Maybe that would work? I toggle my terminal using caps lock this way: remapped my caps lock key to press F12 (in Karabiner), then mapped F12 to toggle terminal (in Terminal app).

@crawfyp1 Did you follow https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/document.html#configuration-simple-modifications ? If so, where did you get stuck? Please attach screenshots.

@HBinswanger the Karabiner Elements config is located at ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json. If you know where your XML profile is, the task becomes to port it to Elements. I'm not familiar with XML profiles but if they are really in XML, the Elements config is in JSON, so you will have to manually re-create all your customisations in ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json. If profile is in JSON, carefully port them one at the time, making sure JSON key structure is matching Karabiner Elements config (there's rules key, it's equal to array, there's object with manipulators key which contains array of all customisations...)