Keybine

Introduction

Keybine is an AutoHotKey script for Windows that provides Vim-like hotkeys. These shortcuts are made by a combination of modifiers and keyboard letters. For example, the script's initial configuration allows one to use the keyboard arrows with the CapsLock modifier and the letters J, I, K, and L, hence eliminating the hassle of moving one's hand to the arrow area of the keyboard.

Features

Keybine comes with 30 hotkeys by default, however, new hotkeys may be added later. These are categorized into one-modifier (CapsLock) and two-modifier (CapsLock + Alt) commands.

Please note that this script does not process text. All it does is set up shortcuts to keys. Thus, certain commands may work differently depending on the program. You may adjust each function according to your needs.

One-modifier commands

#	Combination	Function
0	CapsLock + j	Move left
1	CapsLock + l	Move right
2	CapsLock + i	Move up
3	CapsLock + k	Move down
4	CapsLock + u	Move to the start of the line
5	CapsLock + o	Move to the end of the line
6	CapsLock + c	Copy
7	CapsLock + v	Paste
8	CapsLock + x	Cut
9	CapsLock + n	Move left while selecting
10	CapsLock + m	Move right while selecting
11	CapsLock + y	Move a page up
12	CapsLock + h	Move a page down
13	CapsLock + BackSpace	Delete the next character
14	CapsLock + p	Combine the current line with the next line

Two-modifier commands

#	Combination	Function
0	CapsLock + Alt + j	Move left by n words (default: 1)
1	CapsLock + Alt + l	Move right by n words (default: 1)
2	CapsLock + Alt + i	Move up by n lines (default: 10)
3	CapsLock + Alt + k	Move down by n lines (default: 10)
4	CapsLock + Alt + u	Move to the start of the file
5	CapsLock + Alt + o	Move to the end of the file
6	CapsLock + Alt + c	Copy from the current character to the end of the line
7	CapsLock + Alt + v	Clone the current line in a new line
8	CapsLock + Alt + x	Cut from the current character to the end of the line
9	CapsLock + Alt + n	Move left while selecting by n words (default: 1)
10	CapsLock + Alt + m	Move right while selecting by n words (default: 1)
11	CapsLock + Alt + y	Move up while selecting
12	CapsLock + Alt + h	Move down while selecting
13	CapsLock + Alt + BackSpace	Delete the current line
14	CapsLock + Alt + p	Replace the current word with the text on clipboard

Running the script

To run the script, you must first download AutoHotKey.

You can make the script run each time you start the computer. Refer to AutoHotKey FAQ for more information.

Modifying hotkeys

On the above tables, search for the number of the hotkey you want to modify. Under the config file, look for the line hotkey[number] and change its value to adjust the hotkey. You can also change its function by opening the file navigation.ahk and editing the content of the block Hotkey[number].

You can also change the modifiers via the config file. This can be done by editing the values of primaryModifier and secondaryModifier. You may add new modifiers as well!

Creating new hotkeys

Before creating a new hotkey, you should first set the key in the config file, for example, hotkey16=r. Note that the number must follow the sequence.

Then, implement your code in the file navigation.ahk, within the condition #If (CheckActiveWindow()). It should follow the format:

Hotkey[number]:
    if GetKeyState(secondaryModifier, ksMode)
        ; two-modifier command
    else
        ; one-modifier command
return

Disabling the script

To suspend or restore the script, press CapsLock + Esc at any time.

You can prevent hotkeys from executing when certain programs are active. To do this, open the config file and add the line program=[window title]. For instance: program=LibreOffice Calc. Doing so will prevent hotkeys from being triggered when a LibreOffice Calc window is active.

Changing two-modifier command variables

In the config file, you can change two-modifier command variables in the following lines: linesUp, linesDown, wordsLeft, wordsRight, wordsLeftSel, wordsRightSel.

For instance, if you change the value of wordsRight to 5 and then execute the hotkey CapsLock + Alt + l, you will be able to skip five words ahead.

brensio/keybine