CapsLockX is a modular hotkey script engine based on AutoHotkey. It allows you to operate your computer efficiently like a hacker in a movie without ever taking your hands off the keyboard. It comes packed with functions that are intuitive and easy to use: enhanced editing, virtual desktop and window management, mouse simulation, in-app hotkey enhancement, JS mathematical expression calculation, and many more multifunctional features are there for you to personally customize.

Here is a tiny online demo to show you the feeling how WASD Mouse + HJKL Keyboard works - Try CapsLockX

Docs in Languages: English Docs (ChatGPT Translated) 简体中文 説明 See Any Language Docs (Google Translated)

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CapsLockX was created to address several common frustrations that many computer users face on a daily basis. Here are some of the main reasons why CapsLockX exists:

1. Efficient Window Management: Modern computer usage often involves juggling multiple windows and virtual desktops, especially for professionals working on complex projects. CapsLockX provides intuitive hotkeys for managing virtual desktops and windows, making it easy to switch between tasks seamlessly without losing focus.

2. Enhanced Text Editing: Moving between the typing area and the editing control area can be cumbersome, especially for heavy typists or programmers. CapsLockX introduces Vim-like keybinds and other enhancements that allow for efficient text navigation and editing directly from the keyboard.

3. Mouse Simulation: Constantly switching between the keyboard and the mouse can disrupt workflow and lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSI). CapsLockX solves this by enabling comprehensive mouse emulation using the keyboard, allowing users to perform mouse actions with simple key combinations.

4. Streamlined Shortcut Management: Different applications often have their own sets of shortcuts, which can be hard to remember or inefficiently placed. CapsLockX provides a unified way to enhance and customize hotkeys within various applications, allowing for a more cohesive and efficient working environment.

5. Mathematical Expression Calculation: For users who frequently need to perform calculations, CapsLockX offers a way to quickly evaluate JavaScript mathematical expressions directly from the keyboard, streamlining workflows that involve frequent calculations.

6. Multifunctional Customization: CapsLockX is modular and highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the hotkey scripts to their specific needs. Whether you need specific functions for coding, writing, designing, or managing tasks, CapsLockX can be adapted to meet those requirements.

7. Portable and Open Source: CapsLockX is designed to be a portable tool that can be easily transferred and used across different systems. As an open-source project, it also provides transparency and community-driven improvements, ensuring that the software remains secure and continuously enhanced.

In summary, CapsLockX aims to make computer interaction more efficient, ergonomic, and customized to individual workflows, helping users operate like a hacker in movies, quickly achieving their tasks without breaking concentration.

CapsLockX has four core functions: window management, mouse emulation, arrow key emulation, and application-specific hotkeys. This beginner tutorial will teach you the first three core functions.

First, get CapsLockX: download this zip file: Download JSDelivrCDN - Release Package.zip

After unzipping, open CapsLockX.exe within the CapsLockX folder, get past the simple beginner tutorial, and then try out the following functions in the left and right-hand feature areas to understand the capabilities of CapsLockX.

Once CapsLockX is started, it will not affect the functionality of other keys on your keyboard. The following features are triggered only when you press CapsLockX + combination keys.

Left-hand feature area:

• Window management: CapsLockX + 1234567890 switches to the nth virtual desktop, CapsLockX + ZXCV for window operations (window switching, window closing, window arranging, transparency top-most).
• Mouse emulation function: Press CapsLockX + WASD to move the mouse (as simple as moving a character while playing a game), press CapsLockX + QE for left and right mouse clicks, CapsLockX + RF for scrolling up and down.

Right-hand feature area:

• Arrow key emulation: Open any text editor (such as Notepad), press HJKL to move the cursor, YOUI to move the page

After familiarizing yourself with the basic features, consult the quick reference guide below for more advanced functionalities.

The source code package is the software itself, no need to compile, just unzip and use the green portable software. Source code + program package, the first one is recommended (the fastest).

1. Download JSDelivrCDN - Release Package.zip
2. Alternative Download CloudFlareCDN - Release Package.zip
3. Alternative Download GitHub - Release Package.zip
4. Alternative Download GitHub - Repository Program Package.zip
5. Alternative Download BitBucket - Repository Program Package.zip
6. Alternative Download for Mainland China Users - Gitee - Repository Program Package.zip (login required)

You can use it after unzipping. Methods to start and set to auto-start: Double-click CapsLockX.exe to start the script. To add a startup item, enter shell:startup in the start menu - run, then create a shortcut for this program, and throw it in.

Choose any of the following, the 4th one is recommended for users in mainland China

1. npx capslockx@latest, -- Directly run with NPX, always run the latest version, recommended (requires installation of NodeJS)
2. choco update capslockx && capslockx -- Use Chocolatey to install and use cup for automatic updates, recommended
3. npm i -g capslockx && npx capslockx -- npm global installation
4. git clone https://gitee.com/snomiao/CapslockX && .\CapsLockX\CapsLockX.exe -- Mainland China source code package (green software package) unzip and use, recommended for mainland China users
5. git clone https://github.com/snolab/CapsLockX && .\CapsLockX\CapsLockX.exe -- GitHub source code package (green software package) unzip and use
6. winget capslockx -- TODO #40
7. scoop capslockx -- TODO #41

• Hold down CapsLockX to enter CapsLockX mode, at which point your keyboard will become a functional keyboard like the default mode of Vim (see key positions below).
• Press CapsLockX+Space at the same time to lock CLX mode, where CLX will be maintained until CapsLockX is pressed again next time. Origin of Function

CapsLockX by default loads some commonly used modules. The features and how to use them are listed below. If you don't need certain modules, you can also directly delete the .ahk files in the ./Modules directory, and then press Ctrl + Alt + \ to reload.

You can also write your own my-ahk.user.ahk and put it in the ./User/ directory, and CapsLockX will automatically recognize and load them.

Typically, a set of tasks a user is currently performing will include multiple windows. These windows combined can constitute a usage scenario, while multiple scenarios are likely to run at the same time, and some of them will run for a long time, without interference. This will involve a lot of window arrangement and virtual desktop switching operations, in these aspects, using CLX to manage your windows will bring a terrifying efficiency improvement.

Below are some examples of scenario combinations: Suppose you can study, work on several different jobs, chat with friends, play games, listen to BGM in the background, and have a paused movie ready to watch with family in the evening.

• Virtual desktop 1: Planning scenario: Schedule window + Multi-platform sync notes, e.g.: Google Calendar + Notion + Gmail.
• Virtual desktop 2: Learning scenario: Book reading window, note-taking window, e.g.: OneNote + Calibre, etc.
• Virtual desktop 3: Work scenario 1 (Front-end Development): Code editing + Documentation querying + Browser, e.g.: Chrome(dev) + VSCode + stackoverflow, etc.
• Virtual desktop 4: Work scenario 2 (Back-end Development): Code editing + Documentation querying + Backend terminal + Database browser, e.g.: DBeaver + VSCode(+bash) + stackoverflow, etc.
• Virtual desktop 5: Work scenario 3 (Script Development): Code editing + Documentation querying + Script target, e.g.: VSCode(+bash) + stackoverflow etc.
• Virtual desktop 6: Work scenario 4 (3D Modeling and Rendering): 3D modeling software + Material searching, e.g.: Blender + Chrome.
• Virtual desktop 7: Work scenario 5 (3D Printing Slicing): Slicing software + Model searching window, e.g.: Cura + thingiverse
• Virtual desktop 7: Work scenario 6 (Video Processing): Editing + Material management, e.g.: PR + Everything.
• Virtual desktop 7: Work scenario 7 (Video Processing): Post-production + Documentation tutorial, e.g.: AE + Chrome.
• Virtual desktop 8: Writing scenario: Writing window, material referencing window, e.g.: Obsidian + Chrome (Google Scholar Index), etc.
• Virtual desktop 9: Communication scenario 1: Casual chats, e.g.: Telegram + Reddit + .
• Virtual desktop 9: Communication scenario 2: Work communication, e.g.: Slack + Skype + Gmail.
• Virtual desktop 9: Communication scenario 3: Presentation, e.g.: Google Meeting + (Vscode | Page application | Requirements document | Feedback document).
• Virtual desktop 0: Entertainment scenario 1: Playing games, e.g.: Age of Empires, Minecraft, Skyrim, Overcooked 2, etc.
• Virtual desktop 0: Entertainment scenario 3: Watching movies, listening to songs, e.g.: PotPlayer, Youtube Music, etc...
• ... More examples are welcome. Provide Issues or PRs for supplementation.

Snowstar does not recommend you handle too many tasks at the same time, but CapsLockX can save your thinking environment, greatly reducing the mental cost you incur during task switching, that is, saving you a lot of time rearranging windows and the resulting loss of attention.

(Note: If you like to handle many tasks at the same time, you might need not only a computer with not a small amount of memory but also a brain of significant capacity :D )

When switching windows with Alt+Tab, if there are too many windows, a two-dimensional window pre-arrangement display will show up. Generally speaking, Alt+Tab and Alt+Shift+Tab are purely left-handed keystrokes. If the user wants to select the window in the next line, they will instinctively press Alt+Tab many times. However, the directional keys used for two-dimensional operations are often ignored because the right hand is usually on the mouse or on the J key.

Also, users will continue to hold down the Alt key after releasing the Tab key to browse the windows and select the target window to switch to. In CLX, Alt+WASD will be used instead of the arrow keys to perform multiline window switching directly with the left hand, so there is no need to press Shift to go back to the left. Moreover, if a user needs to clean up or close multiple windows, they simply press Alt+X to batch clean multiple target windows while remaining within the window browsing interface.

In CLX, these features greatly improve the usability of Alt+Tab.

If you want to learn how to develop plugins for CapsLockX, please:

1. Open Modules/@Help.ahk, where you can understand the basic format of a CapsLockX plugin.
2. Copy it and name it with your own plugin name.
3. Change its original functionality to the functionality you need, and the plugin development is complete!

Anki Operation Enhancement

1. Use WASD or HJKL to quickly and continuously (and with undo capabilities) switch flashcards.
2. Create a word list in Excel with 2 columns, copy the entire selection, and then press Alt + i in Anki to quickly import the word list.
3. Simplify four options into three direction keys: left-easy, down-moderate, right-hard, up-undo.
4. Can be used with a game controller by configuring the joystick mapping to direction keys using XPadder. See the result on bilibili 中二雪星怎背词 - 手柄怎么可以不用来背单词！

Is there anything better than Vim mode's HJKL cursor movement in this world? There must be! It's the smooth editing experience of HJKL with acceleration! Want to try some advanced cursor maneuvering like drifting through a drainage channel? Install it!

Special treatment for all kinds of broken notebook keyboards

1. No right Ctrl key? Merge Menu and right Ctrl keys, you can use Menu as Ctrl or Ctrl as Menu.
2. No Pause key? Win + Alt + P can also open system settings information.
3. To be added

I have always considered myself a keyboard enthusiast, probably since I injured my finger joints while making models in the past, becoming a heavy keyboard user. I've used various keyboard acceleration tools, actively memorized various shortcuts, striving to minimize mouse usage, and even learned vim and emacs. However, many times, the mouse is irreplaceable, especially when graphical user interfaces prevail.

—— The above is a quote from the author of SimClick Simulated Click, a work that simulates the mouse using a grid subdivision method, complementing this project.

—— Recommended by Qin Jinwei

• This module uses the key area: CapsLockX + QWER ASDF
• Very comfortably simulate [full] mouse functionality using WASD QE RF. Trust me, once you've tried this feel, you'll like it.
• The pointer automatically sticks to various buttons and hyperlinks when moving. The exponential growth acceleration scrolling mechanism of the wheel makes you no longer fear super long articles and web pages.
• Effects as shown:

Quickly press AD to step.

Utilize the deluxe configuration of 10 virtual desktops built into Win 10, automatic arrangement of windows on multiple displays, semi-transparent always-on-top (Note: Taskbar and AltTab related features are temporarily incompatible with Win11, window arrangement features work fine.)

1. Window Switching: CapsLockX + [Shift] + Z
2. Close Window: CapsLockX + [Shift] + X
3. Arrange Window: CapsLockX + [Shift] + C
4. Always on Top: CapsLockX + [Shift] + V
5. Left-hand Window Management: In the Alt + Tab interface, use WASD to switch windows, X to close a window.
6. Efficient Use of Virtual Desktops: CapsLockX + 0123456789 to switch, add or remove virtual desktops, and use the Shift key to move the current window.
7. Quickly Disconnect Virtual Machines and Remote Desktops: Double click the left Shift + Ctrl + Alt.

• Alt + Tab Enhanced Window Management 
• CapsLockX + C One-key to Arrange Windows (This GIF was recorded in an older version, which seems laggy. The new version optimized the API, so it's no longer laggy.) 

When pressing Win + L to lock the screen, it immediately turns off the screen, suitable for automatically turning off the computer screen when preparing to sleep, preventing it from being glaring during sleep... Press Win + Alt + L to immediately turn off the screen, suitable for turning off the computer screen when preparing to sleep, preventing it from being glaring during sleep...

I often write code… At first, I was used to using the mouse with my right hand... later I found it a bit far to put the mouse on the right... so I switched to using the mouse with my left hand. After switching to the left hand, I realized I still had to take it off the keyboard... so I made a script that simulates the mouse with the WASD keys. (Then I could keep playing with the computer with my right hand under my chin) Later I wrote more and more scripts and put some of the common ones together to load...

The core philosophy of CapsLockX is to simplify system operation logic, improve operation efficiency, and not conflict with existing habitual key positions.

1. Press CapsLockX + - key to display corresponding help (the current display style is quite rough)
2. i18n (eh this really should exist)
3. Auto-update (although git pull is also fine)
4. Tutorial for first-time users (this is a bit simple now...)
5. Plugin manager (although the file system could handle it too)
6. Auto-sync of configuration (though throwing it in OneDrive is usually enough)
7. A user-friendly options configuration UI (though changing ini isn't that hard)
8. Execute external code (Python, Nodejs, external AHK, Bash, …) (although running a script isn't much trouble)

If you have any ideas or suggestions, please propose them here: Issues · snomiao/CapslockX

Win + series are generally used for operating system functions, desktop window application process management, input method, output device (display, multiple screens) management.

Alt + series typically denote invocation of application internal functions, their meanings should be equivalent to pressing the same function button, or jumping to a specific function interface.

Ctrl + series as above, but used more frequently and it's very likely that there is no button with the same function.

Ctrl + Alt + same as above, but generally for global hotkeys.

The Shift key is used to slightly change the meaning of the above functions (such as reverse operations like Shift+Alt+Tab, or extended function range like Shift+Arrow keys to adjust the selection, etc.)

Updated (20200627) The information may become outdated over time

The following repositories are updated synchronously:

• GitHub: https://github.com/snolab/CapsLockX
• Gitee: https://gitee.com/snomiao/CapslockX
• Bitbucket: https://bitbucket.org/snomiao/capslockx
• Gitlab: https://gitlab.com/snomiao/CapsLockX/

Document Address 📄

• Automatic Translation Document Netlify CDN: https://capslockx.netlify.com
• Automatic Translation Document CloudFlare CDN: https://capslockx.snomiao.com

Star Chart ⭐️

• Star Historys
• Source: Vonng/CapsLock: Make CapsLock Great Again! Design: Capslock/design.md at master · Vonng/Capslock
• coralsw/CapsEz: KeyMouse Tools
• CapsLock+
• Capslox
• CapsLock++ matrix1001/CapsLock-plus-plus: ⌨Amazing, extendable, readable autohotkey scripts framework utilized by CapsLock.
• Power Keys | Liberate Computer Usage Efficiency

Related Communities:

• CapsLockX's issues (can be used as a forum) ✉️
• CapsLockX User Telegram Group: t.me/CLX_users📱
• CapsLockX User QQ Group 🐧: 100949388
• QZ/VimD/TC/AHK QQ Group 🐧: 271105729
• AHK Advanced QQ Group 🐧: 717947647
• The Little Red Dot mechanical keyboard group 🐧: 199606725

For questions related to CapsLockX, you can directly join the group @雪星 or ask privately.

Considering that any software that can obtain administrative rights is quite dangerous to a user's operating system, CapsLockX must and is currently adopting an open-source approach. This allows the community to freely and arbitrarily inspect any part of the CapsLockX code that may be involved, to ensure that the security of all users' operating systems is not compromised by this software.

How to help CapsLockX survive? If CapsLockX has been helpful to you:

1. ⭐️ Please star CapsLockX on Github Star
2. 🔗 Please share it with your friends.
3. 🌐 Welcome to help translate this documentation into different languages.
4. 🐞 Welcome to submit bugs and suggestions for improvement issues
5. Code PR submissions are welcome, even just to correct a typo ～
6. Welcome to create works about this software, such as recording tutorial videos to post on Youtube or Bilibili, Xue Xing will like your video.
7. 💰 Welcome to donate to the development of CapsLockX, each donation will be recorded in the list below:
   • Aifadian ⚡️：https://afdian.net/@snomiao
   • PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/snomiao
   • Alipay donation snomiao@gmail.com （click to view QR code）
   • Wise donation snomiao@gmail.com
   • CapsLockX - Open Collective
   • ETH： 0xdc2eece11a9e09c8db921989e54b30375446e49e

• Development Roadmap

• Thank you for the financial support from the above donors.
• Thanks to Qin Jinwei for the citation recommendation article and development suggestions: 2020-02-23 When Keyboard Simulates Mouse - Jianshu
• Thanks to @He Xuren for helping with the dissemination: CapsLockX – Operate the computer like a hacker! 【Xue Xing】 – AutoAHK
• Thank you to those who asked questions in the issues and in the group and helped to improve CapsLockX.

• 秦金伟
  • 2020-02-23 当键盘模拟鼠标 - qwertc
  • 2020-10-26 键盘模拟鼠标 2 - qwertc
  • 2021-03-11 capslockX-治愈鼠标手 - qwertc
  • 2021 年 11 月，键盘模拟鼠标 3
  • 2022-08-21 t0820 复制后匹配-siyuan-clx-截图 - qwertc
  • 2024-01-06 t0106 OpenAI 加持的 CapslockX - qwertc
• V2EX:
  • 有没有办法将 Chrome OS 中的快捷键实现到 Windows 10 中 - V2EX
  • 推荐一下我的键位映射工具 MyKeymap - V2EX
  • 有多少人会把键盘上的 CapsLock 和 Backspace 对调？ - V2EX
  • 分享一个用 CapsLock+H/J/K/L 模拟方向键的小工具 - V2EX
  • 推荐一个适合程序员的效率工具 AltPlus，左边大拇指按下 Alt 键,就可以像使用 vim 一样编程了. - V2EX
  • CapsLockX - 像黑客一样操作电脑 - V2EX
• Zhihu:
  • 如何将电脑桌面划分为独立的两半？ - 知乎
  • 有哪位残友用的是单手键盘？ - 知乎
  • 怎么样才能只用键盘不用鼠标，包括任何指针触控设备，并优雅地使用电脑？ - 知乎
  • 如何将电脑桌面划分为独立的两半？ - 知乎
  • 我是职场达人，AutoHotKey 让我成为职场超人 - 知乎
  • 为什么知乎上这么多人推荐 HHKB，却不反复强调说该键盘不适合大多数程序员？ - 知乎
• AutoAHK:
  • AutoHotKey 中文网专栏 - 知乎
  • 我是职场达人，AutoHotKey 让我成为职场超人 – AutoAHK
  • 脱胎于 CapslockX 的雪星鼠标-键盘模拟鼠标 – AutoAHK
  • QZ——Arrary – AutoAHK
  • CapsLockX - 像黑客一样操作电脑！ - AutoHotkey Community
• (10) What are some good career alternatives for a computer programmer with RSI? - Quora
• simple internationalization function - Scripts and Functions - AutoHotkey Community

• CapsLockX - 💻 Get Hacker's Keyboard. Operate your computer like a hacker
  • Version Wall - Badge Wall 📛 Badges
  • Beginner's Quick Start Tutorial 📖 Tutorial
    • Simple Introduction Tutorial (Once you read this section, you're considered to have started using CapsLockX)
  • Advanced Reference Manual 🦽 Manual
    • Installation and Usage 🛠 Installation
      • Green Portable Package (Suitable for beginners, stable version) 📦 Packaged Bins
      • Command Line Installation (Recommended for advanced users, supports auto-update)🖥️ Install by command
  • Usage Manual 📖 - Usage Manual
    • Basic Operations
    • Module Descriptions
    • Nightmares of Multitasking
      • Virtual Desktop Overview: Scenarios Mode, Work Desktop, Entertainment Desktop, Project Categorization...
      • Improvement of User Experience in Windows Window Switching - Win+tab
      • TODO-Docs
      • Focus Amount: Active Window, Default Active Window,...
      • Utilization of Multiple Screens - Multi-screening
      • Window Arrangement in the 4K Era - Window arrange with 4k screen
        • Window Management in Linux and Mac - Window Manager in Linux and Mac
        • Window Management in Android and iOS - Window Management in Android
    • Troubles with Edit Operations
      • Estrangement between Typing Area and Editing Control Area
      • The Concept of Chording
    • Troubles with Graphic User Interface
    • Human Perception of Speed
    • Hotkey Flaws of Software
    • Usability of Portable Keyboards
    • Help Module
  • Functions of this module as follows
    • Anki Enhancement Module
  • Common Features/Characteristics
  • Explanations
    • Figma Enhanced
  • Common Features/Characteristics
  • Explanations
    • OneNote 2016 - 2019 Enhancement
  • Common Features Used by XuexingMiao
  • Key Distribution Design (Under Development)
  • Detailed Key Table / CheatSheet
    • Editing Enhancement Plugin (TG YUIO HJKL) 🌟
    • Expanded Function Keys for Surface Laptops
    • Media Key Module
    • Mouse Simulation Plugin (WASD QERF)
  • Features
  • How to Use as follows
  • Operational Details
    • JavaScript Calculation (Installation of NodeJS Recommended)
    • Window Enhancement Plugin (CLX + 1234567890 ZXCV)
  • Brief Description of the Features
  • Effect Pictures
  • How to Use as follows (Alt+Tab and CapsLockX)
    • Quick Input
    • Pomodoro Timer
    • Auto Screen Off when Locking Screen
  • Past and Future 🛰
    • Creation Background (Autumn 2017) 🍁 Background
    • Development Path 🛰️ RoadMap
    • Combination Key Meaning Design ⌨ Chore Design
    • Feature Comparison of CapsLockX and Similar Projects ⚔ Feat Compare Matrix
      • CapsLockX Project Urls 🔗 Project Urls
      • Urls of Similar Projects 🔗 Similar Projects
  • FAQs Related ❓ Questions
    • Privacy and Security 🔒 Privacy
  • Support ⭐️ Supports
    • Donation Records (Up to 20210821) 📄 Donate Records
    • Acknowledgements 🙏🏻 Thanks
    • Related Topics
  • Footer Catalog - Table of Contents