created: 2023-10-18 17:15
updated: 2023-10-18 17:21created: 2022-01-04 14:16:05
tags:
Home row modifiers for programmable keyboards
Topics: QMK keyboard firmware
The “home row” refers to the middle row of alpha keys. On an English QWERTY keyboard this would be ASDFG HJKL;. This row is called the “home row” because if one were to follow touch typing technique, this is the row of keys on which your fingers are supposed to rest on.
“Home row mods” are about placing modifiers like Shift, Alt or Ctrl on the home row using the mod-tap features of the QMK keyboard firmware. They are especially popular among users of small Ergonomic keyboards.
An alternative keyboard layout that doesn't require mod-tap is Callum's layout.
Configuration details
The article A guide to home row mods is one of the most comprehensive introductions to how to set up home row mods.
The PERMISSIVE_HOLD setting can help with activating the modifier function, but depending on the individual typing style, it may actually create issues. It does for me.
Owing to the fact that permissive hold is… more permissive in what counts as a hold, it makes it easier to trigger mods so unintended mod activations can happen if the aforementioned case is something you frequently do when typing normally. Depending on your typing style, permissive hold might do more harm than good.