Note
Beta testing is paused while we evaluate feedback. Thanks to everyone who participated — we'll be back.
Hackboard is a macOS app enabling layered keymaps (based on the hold-tap paradigm) to trigger actions more efficiently and ergonomically with your keyboard. Hold a sequence, tap a key, map an action - that's a keymap.
Examples:
| Sequence | Action |
|---|---|
Hold ⌘ → Hold A → Tap T |
Open Terminal |
Hold ⌘ → Hold A → Hold S → Tap M |
Open Maps in Safari |
Hold F → Tap J, K, L, ; |
Arrow Keys |
Hold F → Tap Space |
Enter |
Hold ⌘ → Hold T → Tap E |
Type your_email@example.com |
Hackboard bundles Hb-Karabiner-Elements, a fork of Karabiner-Elements by Fumihiko Takayama — without his years of work, this wouldn't exist. Support his work. Inspired by Max Stoiber's sublayer concept. Fully compatible with your existing Karabiner config, currently pinned to version 15.0.0.
- Hb-Karabiner-Elements starts automatically after install — grant the macOS permissions it requests (Input Monitoring, virtual HID driver).
- Start Hackboard — it asks for access to the folder containing
karabiner.jsonvia a system folder picker. - Hackboard loads an example configuration - try it, change it and hack away!
Important
Switching from Karabiner-Elements? Uninstall it first and ensure your karabiner.json is compatible with Karabiner-Elements 15.0.0.
- If there are problems with permissions, try deactivating and reactivating them.
- Your existing
karabiner.jsonrules remain unaffected and will continue to work. If any of them conflict with your Hackboard keymaps, the Hackboard keymaps take priority.
A full uninstall can be triggered from the Hackboard settings page or through the Hb-Karabiner-Elements UI. Either option removes both applications. A restart is required to complete the uninstallation.
Found a bug or have a suggestion? Open an issue on this repository.
By downloading and using Hackboard, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
