CapsLockX - Mac/Windows

A keyboard utility that turns Space into a powerful modifier key, giving you mouse control, cursor navigation, and desktop management — all without leaving the home row.

Hold Space down to activate CLX mode. Release it to type a normal space (if no other key was pressed).

Key Bindings

Mouse Control (Space + ...)

Keys	Action
Space + W	Move mouse up
Space + A	Move mouse left
Space + S	Move mouse down
Space + D	Move mouse right
Space + E	Left click (hold to drag)
Space + Q	Right click (hold to drag)
Space + R	Scroll up
Space + F	Scroll down
Space + Shift + R/F	Horizontal scroll

Mouse movement uses a physics model with acceleration and friction — the longer you hold, the faster it moves, and it glides to a smooth stop.

Cursor / Edit Control (Space + ...)

Keys	Action
Space + H	← Left arrow
Space + J	↓ Down arrow
Space + K	↑ Up arrow
Space + L	→ Right arrow
Space + Y	Home
Space + O	End
Space + U	Page Down
Space + I	Page Up
Space + T	Backspace/Delete
Space + G	Enter
Space + N	Tab
Space + P	Shift+Tab

Hold any cursor key for turbo repeat — it accelerates the longer you hold.

Modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl, Option/Alt, Cmd/Win) are passed through, so Space + Shift + L sends Shift+Right (extend selection).

Desktop / Window Control (Space + ...)

Keys	Action
Space + 1	Switch to previous desktop
Space + 2	Switch to next desktop
Space + X	Close window/tab (Cmd+W)
Space + / or Space + \	Quit CLX

How It Works

The program registers global hotkeys using golang.design/x/hotkey. When Space is held:

1. All CLX sub-modules activate and register their own hotkeys.
2. On Space release, all sub-hotkeys are unregistered.
3. If no CLX key was pressed during the hold, a regular space keystroke is sent.

Mouse and scroll movement run a physics simulation in a background goroutine: applying acceleration, capping velocity, and decaying with friction each tick (every 10ms). This gives smooth, natural-feeling cursor control from the keyboard.

Platform Support

• macOS — primary target. Uses AppleScript (mack) for desktop switching.
• Windows — supported via mods_windows.go (uses Win key as Cmd equivalent).

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Go 1.19+
• macOS: grant Accessibility permission to the terminal app (System Preferences → Privacy & Security → Accessibility)

Build & Run

git clone https://github.com/snomiao/capslockx-mac
cd capslockx-mac

go build -o clx
chmod +x clx
./clx

Watch Mode (auto-rebuild on save)

# Requires Node.js
npm install -g nodemon

bash watch.sh

watch.sh builds and relaunches CLX automatically whenever a .go file changes.

Windows Cross-Compile (from Linux/Mac)

bash x-build-win-from-linux.sh

Dependencies

Package	Purpose
golang.design/x/hotkey	Global hotkey registration
github.com/go-vgo/robotgo	Mouse/keyboard automation
github.com/andybrewer/mack	AppleScript bridge (macOS desktop switching)
golang.design/x/mainthread	Run on OS main thread (required by macOS)

Roadmap

• Space as modifier key
• Mouse control with physics (WASD)
• Mouse buttons (Q/E)
• Scroll (R/F)
• Cursor control (HJKL)
• Page/Home/End navigation
• Desktop switching (1/2)
• CapsLock as alternative modifier
• Jump to specific desktop (1–8)
• Horizontal scroll (Shift+R/F)
• Smooth physics for cursor movement

References

• Make the Caps Lock key useful (Reddit)