Happy Hacking Keyboard

The Happy Hacking Keyboard layout has a few modifications over the standard ANSI layout that its creator considered as improvements.

Generally, the HHKB layout is a 60% layout that only has the the alphanumeric key block surrounded by the modifier keys. Functions for which is doesn't have dedicated keys such as the function keys and the navigation cluster, are implemented as layers (see below).

In place of the Caps Lock key is the Ctrl key. Since Ctrl is used more often than Caps Lock, this change makes it easier to reach with the left pinky finger.

This allows the removal of the left and right Ctrl keys from the bottom row. With more room in the bottom row, the HHKB uses a wider space bar (7u instead of the usual 6.25u).

Backspace, another frequently-used key, moves one row lower for easier reach, replacing the big backspace key. In turn, the backspace and tilde keys take up the freed up space in the top row. This makes space for the Esc key in the top left (which makes the vim user cohort of happy hackers even more happy).

By shortening the right Shift key by 1u (aka "split right Shift"), the HHKB introduces an "Fn" key for layer switching. Holding down the Fn key activates another layer of key definitions.

Most importantly, the arrow keys for navigation are assigned to the right-hand cross of "[" (up), ";" and "'" (left/right) and "/" (down).

Other function layer assignments of the original HHKB layout are:

The latest generation of Happy Hacking Keyboards called HHKB Hybrid allows customising the keyboard layout with software. The same is possible for keyboards with a physical HHKB layout using the QMK keyboard firmware.

The HHKB Hybrid series supports Bluetooth.

Pairing with a computer works like this:

Pairing mode can be cancelled via Fn+X.

Switching the connected device also happens via Fn+Ctrl+n (n = 1-4).

Switching back to the USB connection happens via Fn+Ctrl+0.