Config files for a shortcut system based on Karabiner (via Goku), Yabai, and Übersicht (via Nero.)

Intentio is a layer-based shortcut system for macOS that leverages Karabiner to launch applications quickly, control Yabai tiling window manager, and standardize some media keys. In addition, Yabai's state is monitored with Nero, an Übersicht widget.

• Requirements
• Installation
• Components
• Layers
  • Windows layer
  • Spaces layer
  • Media layer
  • Launch layer
• Monitoring
• License
• Contacts

• Goku: EDN → JSON translator for Karabiner
• Karabiner: keyboard customizer
• Yabai: tiling window manager
• Übersicht: desktop widgets
• Nero: Übersicht widget to monitor the state of Yabai

Familiarizing with each project before diving deep into the configuration files is encouraged.

Intentio is a highly customized configuration that doesn't have to be fully embraced: cloning the repo and symlinking all current files to the .config folder is not advised, as you'd have to stick to my workflow.

Just pick the parts you find relevant, copy/paste particular snippets, or adapt the logic of this project to your own needs!

Intentio offers:

• A karabiner.edn (translated to a karabiner.json via Goku) that simplify the creation of rules for Karabiner
• A yabairc config file for Yabai
• A collection of shell scripts (shscripts folder) to handle complex actions for Yabai, and the refresh of Nero

Rather than relying on complex shortcuts and polluting modifiers' actions, Intentio leverages the concept of layers to separate concerns as much as possible. Layers are defined in Goku's EDN file and activated by pressing a trigger key.

All images below have been created with Keyboard Layout Editor.

The windows layer focuses on triggering Yabai window-related commands and, in a few cases, some custom shell scripts.

The spaces layer focuses on triggering Yabai space-related commands and, in a few cases, some custom shell scripts.

The media layer controls brightness, audio, and Do Not Disturb mode. The value of this is keeping the shortcuts consistent across input types, as different brands of mechanical keyboards handle those controls differently than others.

Note: the cmd trigger is labeled as such not to confuse things. In reality, cmd (right_alt on Pok3r or right_gui on Keychron) invokes a hyper key. Make sure to remap the key close to the right side of spacebar int the keyboard profile at the top of Goku config.

The launch layer bypasses tools such as Raycast or Alfred to accelerate the opening of applications used very frequently.

Intentio leverages Nero, a Übersicht widget to monitor the state of Yabai tiling window manager.

Nero do not refresh periodically to preserve battery life and stay as reactive as possible; the updating of the widget is triggered by Karabiner or Yabai itself by listening to specific events (or signals).

As an overview:

• Space and window focus: Yabai → Shell script → Nero
• Window creation: Yabai → Shell script → Nero
• Space and space layout manipulation: Karabiner → Shell script → Nero
• Window tiling: Karabiner → Shell script → Nero

For a more granular understanding of the events triggering a refresh, search for refresh-uebersicht.sh in the yabairc or karabiner.kdn files.

• Mastodon: @lucaorio
• Website: lucaorio.com