] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-05 15:29:18

I'm using Plasma/i3. recently, and I don't recall changing any config in the interim, my caps lock key stopped responding. I eventually learned it is now doing the same as my i3 meta key (windows key on my setup).

how do I restore the Caps Lock functionality? there is nothing in my i3.conf that assigns it to $mod.

 set $mod Mod4

is the only relevant line.

Last edited by shoelesshunter (2022-02-11 22:30:51)

ishaanbhimwal · 2022-02-05 16:25:22

Install "xorg-setxkbmap" and add "exec --no-startup-id setxkbmap -option caps:caps" to your i3 config. Hacky solution but should work.

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-06 07:10:34

that did not work for me.

for what it's worth, I have no indicator light on Caps Lock wither (since this happened)

seth · 2022-02-06 07:37:44

setxkbmap -print -query

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-06 23:21:51

here's what I have.

xkb_keymap {
	xkb_keycodes  { include "evdev+aliases(qwerty)"	};
	xkb_types     { include "complete"	};
	xkb_compat    { include "complete"	};
	xkb_symbols   { include "pc+us+de:2+eu:3+inet(evdev)+altwin(meta_alt)+capslock(super)"	};
	xkb_geometry  { include "pc(pc104)"	};
};
rules:      evdev
model:      rapidaccess
layout:     us,de,eu
options:    caps:super,altwin:meta_alt

seth · 2022-02-07 06:43:42

Thar's a more elaborate config that does't happen by accident.
Wherever yuo're setting the layout, the caps:super causes the current behavior. It *might* be implicit t the eu layout.
To get rid of it, you'll have to clear the optiosn (setxkbmap -option "") and optionally restore the remainin options (setxkbmap -option "altwin:meta_alt")

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-07 10:11:42

that worked. thanks. I don't know ow how I got that config, but it works now.

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-07 13:07:07

something reverted the key to the old (odd) layout. I hadn't changed a thing.

I fixed it again, but I did nothing to cause it to revert like that.

edit: launching Steam game client disables my caps lock and sets that odd config. I noticed it when I just began playing a game.

Last edited by shoelesshunter (2022-02-07 20:21:38)

seth · 2022-02-07 21:17:41

What does the setxkbmap output look like directly after a login vs. launching steam? (though the behavior is odd indeed - why would steam alter your keyboard tbw?)

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-11 03:05:06

Steam is changing my keyboard setting upon launch. I have a game where caps lock is necessary. I jump to a new workspace and clear the settings it creates. the key then behaves normally.

for what it's worth. this particular game, after caps lock is working, misbehaves.
the game is an RPG. shift is always run. caps lock simply keeps the character running. during the game, the function of caps lock
becomes inverted.

regular use: to run, I need caps lock or shift
inverted: I need caps lock or shift to walk, as the character runs automatically without shift or caps lock in use.

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-11 22:32:13

it's now happening without using Steam. using ranger and mpv, I loose caps lock and tabs until I manually reset the config as explained to me.

seth · 2022-02-11 23:04:46

Does it happen when you switch layous?

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-11 23:20:00

this last time, I was simply watching a movie and using ranger. all windows were already open. I opened another alacritty, and I lost caps lock as well as tab. for now, I set the command you showed me to run every second in crontab.

I can disable that cron job pif replicating it would lead to a better solution.

seth · 2022-02-11 23:47:49

I'd rather tet´st layout switching directly. Since you don't configure a shortcut for that - how do you go about that anyway?

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-12 00:15:32

do you mean like switching from tabs/stacked/panel?

I use the i3 defaults. $mod (s,t,e)

seth · 2022-02-12 00:20:43

There're three layouts configured, us,de,eu - why, and how do you switch between them?

shoelesshunter · 2022-02-12 06:51:49

oh, I changed them in the KDE settings. I did it to temporarily allow for é to be typed.

should I disable all but the US?

seth · 2022-02-12 06:59:13

You could try, though I worried that some keyboard layout manager was simply going wild.
iirc the KDE settings allow setting xkb options as well - maybe have a look a that tab, too.

Also https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xorg/K … ompose_key

Arch Linux

#1 2022-02-05 15:29:18

] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#2 2022-02-05 16:25:22

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#3 2022-02-06 07:10:34

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#4 2022-02-06 07:37:44

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#5 2022-02-06 23:21:51

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#6 2022-02-07 06:43:42

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#7 2022-02-07 10:11:42

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#8 2022-02-07 13:07:07

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#9 2022-02-07 21:17:41

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#10 2022-02-11 03:05:06

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#11 2022-02-11 22:32:13

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#12 2022-02-11 23:04:46

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#13 2022-02-11 23:20:00

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#14 2022-02-11 23:47:49

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#15 2022-02-12 00:15:32

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#16 2022-02-12 00:20:43

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#17 2022-02-12 06:51:49

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

#18 2022-02-12 06:59:13

Re: ] Caps lock mapped to meta in i3

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