Karabiner-Elements Setup Guide

Karabiner-Elements is a powerful tool that allows you to freely customize keyboard behavior on macOS. This guide covers the three most useful settings.

Installing Karabiner-Elements

Open Terminal and install with Homebrew:

brew install --cask karabiner-elements

After installation, you need to allow system permissions:

  1. System Settings → Privacy & Security
  2. Allow all Karabiner-related items in Input Monitoring

Basic Setting: Improve Korean/English Toggle

Change Right Command to Korean/English Key

The default Korean/English toggle (Caps Lock) in macOS has a delay which is inconvenient. Let's change the right Command key to Korean/English toggle.

Launch Karabiner-Elements and configure as follows:

  1. Click Simple Modifications tab
  2. Click Add item button
  3. From key: right_command → To key: f18

Change the Korean/English toggle shortcut in macOS keyboard settings:

  1. System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Input Sources
  2. Click "Select the next source in Input menu"
  3. Press right Command key (recognized as F18)

Now you can instantly toggle Korean/English with the right Command key.

Installing Ultimate macOS

Ultimate macOS is a comprehensive package containing dozens of useful keyboard settings. Once installed, you can select and activate only the features you need.

Installation Method

  1. Launch Karabiner-Elements
  2. Go to Complex Modifications tab
  3. Click Add rule button
  4. Click Import more rules from the Internet
  5. Enter "ultimate macOS" in search box
  6. Select "ultimate macOS" by suliveevil and click Import

Vim-style Arrow Keys Setup (hjkl)

After installing Ultimate macOS, you can use various Vim-related settings.

Activate Vi Mode

  1. Check Ultimate macOS rule list in Complex Modifications
  2. Select one of the following and click Enable:
    • "Vi Mode [Hold ⇪ Caps Lock for Vi Mode]": hjkl works as arrow keys only while holding Caps Lock
    • "Vi Mode [⌃ Control + hjkl]": Use arrow keys with Control + hjkl
    • "Vi Mode [fn + hjkl]": Use arrow keys with fn + hjkl

Available Shortcuts

When Vi Mode is activated, you can use these features:

  • Basic Movement

    • h: ← (left)
    • j: ↓ (down)
    • k: ↑ (up)
    • l: → (right)

  • Extended Movement (supported in some modes)

    • w: Move to next word
    • b: Move to previous word
    • 0: Beginning of line
    • $: End of line

Additional Useful Features

Ultimate macOS also includes these useful features:

Hyper Key Setup

Activate "⇪ Caps Lock → Hyper Key (⌃⌥⇧⌘)":

  • Changes Caps Lock to a special modifier key
  • Can create unique shortcuts that don't conflict with other apps

Settings for Korean Users

In "Korean" category:

  • "⇧ Shift + Space → Switch Input Source": Korean/English toggle with Shift+Space
  • "₩ → ` or ₩ (Hold ⌥ Option)": Change Won key to backtick

Settings for Developers

  • "⎋ Escape → ` ~ (Hold ⇧ Shift)": Input backtick with ESC key
  • "Delete Line/Word": Quick delete shortcuts
  • "Emacs Mode": Emacs-style shortcuts (Control+A/E etc.)

Usage Tips

Backup Settings

To backup your settings, save this file:

~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json

Troubleshooting

  • If settings don't work, restart Karabiner-Elements
  • Check if permissions are properly granted in System Settings
  • Be aware of conflicts with other keyboard utilities

Restore to Original

  1. Remove activated rules in Complex Modifications
  2. Delete settings in Simple Modifications
  3. Uninstall Karabiner-Elements if needed: 
    brew uninstall --cask karabiner-elements

Now you can use your keyboard 200% more effectively!

Created :

Modified :

View comments