Improve symbols layer for cross-platform consistency #2

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lex wants to merge 3 commits from improve/symbols-layer into main

lex commented

2026-02-18 01:50:21 +00:00

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Changes

Move pipe (|) to easier-to-reach position on right index finger - easier access for shell commands
Move backslash (backslash) next to brackets for logical grouping - makes typing {} and \ easier
Swap comma/dot on bottom right for more intuitive layout - comma is used more frequently
QWERTY layer unchanged - same great layout you know and love

Why

The original layout had pipe and backslash in positions that can be problematic:

Pipe was on the middle finger which is harder to reach
Backslash was on the index finger but in an awkward spot

This new layout prioritises:

Easy access to programming symbols (|, backslash, {}, [])
Logical grouping of related symbols
Shell command-friendly layout (pipe is crucial for chaining commands)

The QWERTY layer remains completely unchanged.

## Changes - Move pipe (|) to easier-to-reach position on right index finger - easier access for shell commands - Move backslash (backslash) next to brackets for logical grouping - makes typing {} and \ easier - Swap comma/dot on bottom right for more intuitive layout - comma is used more frequently - QWERTY layer unchanged - same great layout you know and love ## Why The original layout had pipe and backslash in positions that can be problematic: - Pipe was on the middle finger which is harder to reach - Backslash was on the index finger but in an awkward spot This new layout prioritises: - Easy access to programming symbols (|, backslash, {}, []) - Logical grouping of related symbols - Shell command-friendly layout (pipe is crucial for chaining commands) The QWERTY layer remains completely unchanged.

lex added 3 commits

2026-02-18 01:50:22 +00:00

Overhaul symbols layer for cross-platform consistency b5f5559d34

Redesigned the symbols layer with the following improvements:

Cross-platform consistency:
- All symbols are now cross-platform compatible
- Removed OS-specific combos (CU_HASH for £ on UK keyboards)
- Uses standard QMK keycodes that work on macOS and Linux

Comprehensive symbol coverage:
- Added all missing programming symbols: < > _ \" \' : ? /
- Added angle brackets for HTML/XML tags
- Added underscore for snake_case
- Added double and single quotes
- Added colon and question mark for code and prose
- All symbols now accessible without shifting

Layout improvements:
- Most brackets on home row for easy access: () {} [] | _
- Related symbols grouped logically:
  * Top row: Number row symbols (! @ # $ % ^ & * = +)
  * Home row: Brackets and pipe (() {} [] | _)
  * Bottom row: Quotes, comparison, punctuation (< > \" \' : ? / - . ,)

Ergonomic design based on research:
- Frequently used symbols placed on home row
- Common bigrams considered (!=, ==, ++, --, ->, =>)
- Grouped related symbols together for memorability

Still keeps:
- Navigation keys (arrows, home/end) on thumbs
- F-keys on top row
- Lock screen activation

Fix keycodes: use proper US ANSI shifted keycodes for < > d8811a5160

Replace KC_LT/KC_GT with KC_LABK/KC_RABK for angle brackets.
These are the correct US ANSI shifted keycodes that work cross-platform.

Improve symbols layer for cross-platform consistency

ci/woodpecker/pr/pr Pipeline was successful

Details

dbee60637f

- Move pipe (|) to easier-to-reach position on right index
- Move backslash (\) next to brackets for logical grouping
- Swap comma/dot on bottom right for more intuitive layout
- Add comments explaining changes

Note: QWERTY layer unchanged.

lex added 1 commit

2026-02-24 09:50:59 +00:00