Key Chords

Questions & Suggestions
9

I started testing this out and it seems great.

It's essentially software based keyboard layers and can work similarly to how VS Code (and other editors) use command-k.

I was originally able to get it to work in its simplest form based on what @peternlewis wrote above. (Although now it doesn't work at all, and I just hear a system beep when I try my hot key: super-k. I'm not sure what that's about. But maybe the issue I mention below is related.)

But I've run into some issues around this.

I wanted to have some type of system-wide visual indication when option-f* was active/available.

*To use @peternlewis's example hot key.

The most obvious solution was to show the Macro Palette for that group via Shows a palette for one action when. I like this because not only would it be a pronounced visual indicator that the first key of the chord was pressed (and awaiting the second) but it would also show all of the available macros for this group/layer.

However I'm not sure if that will also work with/fulfill the Active for one action setting mentioned above.

But even worse than that, I can't seem to get a Macro Palette to show at all.

  • I setup a very simple macro group, set it up as noted (I think), but pressing the hot key does not show the macro palette.

Screen Shot 2024-06-19 at 4.01.47 PM

  • I tried check all of the checkboxes and different options for the dropdowns.

  • I downloaded @DanThomas's Ultra Claw Palette test group, just to make sure it wasn't something I was doing wrong. I imported it, enabled the group, and tried the macro and it too didn't show the macro palette. I tried different hot key triggers and none would show the macro palette.

  • I tried Show/Hide __ Palette actions in other macros outside of this group, but they didn't seem to work as expected either.

  • I've tried restarting the KM Engine.

I have a feeling I'm missing something really obvious or something else in my system is disrupting the display of a macro palette.

There are other related behaviors that don't seem to work (ie: None of the Display in menu bar options seem to do anything), but I won't go into detail about them for now. Since they may start working if someone knows what's happening with the issue above.

Assuming something weird (or dumb on my part) is happening above, there's still my general questions about Key Chords in Keyboard Maestro:

  1. What is the best system wide visual indication that chording has started via a hot key (ex: option-f) and the engine is waiting for the second key?

  2. Is it possible to both show the palette (that will list all of the macros in this group/layer) while still functioning as @peternlewis mentioned above re: Activate for one action when?

  3. Is there any visual indication within Keyboard Maestro (or its menu) that a macro group's state is Active/Inactive?

    • For example, an enabled/disabled group or macro has lowered opacity icon/text, checkbox for `Enabled macro group", etc.
    • I was often finding myself wondering if my tests were failing because I thought the group was active when it was actually inactive, because I couldn't find any visual indication of its state.

I've read through a bunch of documentation* and forum posts. But I have a feeling I must be missing something obvious. I'm sorry in advance :slight_smile:

Maybe someone could suggest some basic tests or point out the city-sized hole in my understanding.

Thank you!

*Related docs/posts