HyperKey for Windows

Hijack your CapsLock: transform your keyboard with powerful navigation, editing, and productivity shortcuts.

---

Table of Contents

• Why I Built This
• Quick Version Selection
• Quick Start
• Basic Usage
• Visual Layout Reference
• Practical Examples
• Real-World Usage
• Advanced Features
• Auto-Start Configuration
• Version Comparison
• Support

---

Why I Built This

As a long-time macOS user, I was accustomed to the incredible productivity of Karabiner-Elements - the ability to transform CapsLock into a powerful HyperKey that unlocks a complete secondary keyboard layer. When I switched to Windows for work, I immediately noticed a productivity gap: my hands constantly had to leave the home row for arrow keys, and I missed the consistent shortcuts I was used to on macOS.

After extensive searching for Windows alternatives, I found that most existing AutoHotkey scripts were either too limited or awkward to use. I wanted the same seamless experience i had with Karabiner: a smart CapsLock that works both as a modifier and supports double-tap Escape, with context-aware behavior for different applications.

This script is the result of that quest - a Windows equivalent that mimics my macOS productivity experience, powered by AutoHotkey. It combines the best of both worlds: the familiar Vim-inspired navigation, with Windows-specific optimizations for VS Code, SSMS, Obsidian, and other popular applications which i will update over time as my needs evolve. I hope it helps others achieve the same productivity boost on Windows!

---

Quick Version Selection

Choose your AutoHotkey version:

Version 2.0 (Recommended)

• AutoHotkey v2.0 compatible
• Modern syntax and improved performance
• Enhanced error handling
• Script: v2.0/HyperKey_v2.0.ahk

Version 1.1 (Legacy)

• AutoHotkey v1.1 compatible
• Stable and proven functionality
• Original implementation
• Script: v1.1/HyperKey_v1.1.ahk

New to HyperKey? Start with v2.0 for the best experience.
Currently using v1.1? See Migration Info for upgrade instructions.

---

Quick Start

1. Choose your version (see selection above)
2. Install AutoHotkey:
   • AutoHotkey v2.0 (recommended)
   • AutoHotkey v1.1 (legacy)
3. Download the script from your chosen version folder
4. Double-click to run the .ahk file
5. Add to startup folder for auto-launch (see below)

---

Basic Usage (Ansi US-QWERTY Layout)

• CapsLock + J/K/L/I = Arrow keys (Vim-Inspired)
• CapsLock + H/; = Word left/right
• CapsLock + U/O = Line start/end
• CapsLock + X/C/V = Cut/Copy/Paste
• CapsLock + Shift+V = Open clipboard history (Win+V)
• CapsLock + Z = Undo | CapsLock + Shift + Z = Redo
• CapsLock + D = Duplicate line (VS Code, SSMS, Obsidian, Visual Studio)
• CapsLock + Volume Mute/Down/Up = Media controls (Play/Pause, Previous, Next)
• Double-tap CapsLock = Escape (sent instantly on the second tap)
• RShift + CapsLock = Toggle real CapsLock

Add Shift to any navigation key to select text while moving.

---

Visual Layout Reference

; ====================================================================
; ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
; ║                   HYPERKEY LAYOUT REFERENCE                      ║
; ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ HOME ROW LAYOUT (ANSI US QWERTY) ────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  [Esc] [F1]...[F12]                                       │   ║
; ║  │  [`] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [0] [-] [=] [Bk] │   ║
; ║  │  [Tab] [Q] [W] [E] [R] [T] [Y] [U] [I] [O] [P] [[] []] [\]│   ║
; ║  │  [Caps] [A] [S] [D] [F] [G] [H] [J] [K] [L] [;] ['] [Ent] │   ║
; ║  │  [Shift] [Z] [X] [C] [V] [B] [N] [M] [,] [.] [/] [Shift]  │   ║
; ║  │  [Ctrl] [Win] [Alt]   [Space]   [Alt] [Win] [Menu] [Ctrl] │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ NAVIGATION ──────────────────────────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  ARROW KEYS:                                              │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [I] = ↑                                       │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [K] = ↓                                       │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [J] = ←                                       │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [L] = →                                       │   ║
; ║  │                                                           │   ║
; ║  │  WORD JUMPS:                                              │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [H] = Jump word left                          │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [;] = Jump word right                         │   ║
; ║  │                                                           │   ║
; ║  │  LINE NAVIGATION:                                         │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [U] = Home                                    │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [O] = End                                     │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ TEXT EDITING ────────────────────────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  CLIPBOARD:                                               │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [X] = Cut                                     │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [C] = Copy                                    │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [V] = Paste                                   │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [A] = Select All                              │   ║
; ║  │                                                           │   ║
; ║  │  UNDO & REDO:                                             │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [Z] = Undo                                    │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + Shift + [Z] = Redo                            │   ║
; ║  │                                                           │   ║
; ║  │  SMART FEATURES:                                          │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + ['] = ''                                      │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + Shift + ['] = ""                              │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [9] = ()                                      │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [[] = []                                      │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + Shift + [[] = {}                              │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ DELETE OPERATIONS ───────────────────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [N] = Delete word left                        │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [M] = Delete character left                   │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [,] = Delete character right                  │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [.] = Delete word right                       │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ SPECIAL FUNCTIONS ───────────────────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  Double-tap CapsLock = Escape                             │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + Shift + [/] =  (Right-click menu)             │   ║
; ║  │  Right Shift + CapsLock = ⇪ (Toggle real CapsLock)        │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ║  ┌─ SYMBOLS (Number Row) ────────────────────────────────────┐   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [`] = ~                                       │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [1-0] = !@#$%^&*()                            │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [-] = _                                       │   ║
; ║  │  CapsLock + [=] = +                                       │   ║
; ║  └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   ║
; ║                                                                  ║
; ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

---

Practical Examples

App-Specific Features

Visual Studio Code

• CapsLock+D duplicates line
• CapsLock+/ toggles comments
• CapsLock+Alt+I/K moves line up/down
• CapsLock+E focuses/unfocuses Explorer sidebar

Visual Studio

• CapsLock+D duplicates line
• CapsLock+/ toggles comments
• CapsLock+Alt+I/K moves line up/down

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

• CapsLock+R executes query
• CapsLock+Shift+0 inserts SELECT-FROM-WHERE template
• CapsLock+/ smart comment toggle (detects if already commented)

Obsidian

• CapsLock+D duplicates line
• CapsLock+Alt+J/L navigates between headers
• CapsLock+Ctrl+I/K folds/unfolds sections
• CapsLock+Ctrl+Enter opens link under cursor
• CapsLock+Shift+Ctrl+Enter opens link in new tab

File Explorer

• CapsLock+Alt+I/K/J/L navigates Up/Down/Back/Forward

Brave Browser

• CapsLock+Ctrl+J/L navigates back/forward

Universal Examples (Works Everywhere)

• Text editing: CapsLock+J/K/L/I for navigation, CapsLock+X/C/V for clipboard
• Quick access: CapsLock+Shift+/ for right-click menu anywhere
• Escape alternative: Double-tap CapsLock instead of reaching for Esc key

---

Real-World Usage

• Writing documents: Keep hands on home row, no more reaching for arrow keys
• Coding: Duplicate lines, toggle comments, navigate code efficiently
• Web browsing: Navigate back/forward without mouse (will be updated and added to more browsers)
• SQL development: Execute queries, insert templates instantly and comment out selected code

---

Advanced Features

• Smart Wrapping: Auto-pairs quotes/brackets with cursor positioning
  • Single quotes: CapsLock + ' = '' (cursor between)
  • Double quotes: CapsLock + Shift + ' = "" (cursor between)
  • Context-aware: In VS Code/Obsidian only sends single quote because they have their own auto-pairing
• Context-Aware: Different behavior in code editors vs other apps
• Key Blocking: Unused keys are automatically blocked to prevent accidents
• Hotkey Blocking Mechanism: In v2.0, blocking hotkeys are placed at the end of the script to ensure app-specific hotkeys (e.g., HyperKey+D in VS Code) take precedence over global blocks.

---

Auto-Start Configuration

Method A: Startup Folder

1. Press Win + R
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter
3. Copy your chosen script (HyperKey_v1.1.ahk or HyperKey_v2.0.ahk) to the startup folder
4. Script will launch automatically on Windows boot

Method B: Task Scheduler

1. Open Task Scheduler
2. Create Basic Task
3. Set trigger: "When I log on"
4. Action: "Start a program"
5. Browse to your chosen script file

Method C: Registry (Advanced)

1. Press Win + R
2. Type regedit and press Enter
3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
4. Right-click → New → String Value
5. Name: HyperKey
6. Value: Full path to your chosen script file

---

Development (Optional)

For editing the script, use VS Code with AHK++ extension for syntax highlighting and IntelliSense.

---

Version Comparison

Feature	v1.1 (Legacy)	v2.0 (Recommended)
AutoHotkey Version	v1.1+	v2.0+
Syntax	Legacy	Modern
Performance	Good	Better
Error Handling	Basic	Enhanced
Maintenance	Deprecated	Active development
Migration Path	N/A	from v1.1

---

Support

If you find this project useful, consider buying me a coffee!

---

Created by Mike Pattyn - Free to use and modify