* macros in json keymaps
* add advanced macro support to json
* add a note about escaping macro strings
* add simple examples
* format json
* add support for language specific keymap extras
* switch to dictionaries instead of inline text for macros
* use SS_TAP on the innermost tap keycode
* add the new macro format to the schema
* document the macro limit
* add the json keyword for syntax highlighting
* fix format that vscode screwed up
* Update feature_macros.md
* add tests for macros
* change ding to beep
* add json support for SENDSTRING_BELL
* update doc based on feedback from sigprof
* document host_layout
* remove unused var
* improve carriage return handling
* support tab characters as well
* Update docs/feature_macros.md
Co-authored-by: Nick Brassel <nick@tzarc.org>
* escape backslash characters
* format
* flake8
* Update quantum/quantum_keycodes.h
Co-authored-by: Nick Brassel <nick@tzarc.org>
@ -4,7 +4,107 @@ Macros allow you to send multiple keystrokes when pressing just one key. QMK has
!> **Security Note**: While it is possible to use macros to send passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information it is a supremely bad idea to do so. Anyone who gets a hold of your keyboard will be able to access that information by opening a text editor.
## `SEND_STRING()`&`process_record_user`
## Using Macros In JSON Keymaps
You can define up to 32 macros in a `keymap.json` file, as used by [Configurator](newbs_building_firmware_configurator.md), and `qmk compile`. You can define these macros in a list under the `macros` keyword, like this:
If you type in a language other than English, or use a non-QWERTY layout like Colemak, Dvorak, or Workman, you may have set your computer's input language to match this layout. This presents a challenge when creating macros- you may need to type different keys to get the same letters! To address this you can add the `host_language` key to your keymap.json, like so:
```json
{
"keyboard": "handwired/my_macropad",
"keymap": "my_keymap",
"host_layout": "dvorak",
"macros": [
["Hello, World!"]
],
"layout": "LAYOUT_all",
"layers": [
["MACRO_0"]
]
}
```
The current list of available languages is:
| belgian | bepo | br_abnt2 | canadian_multilingual |
Each macro is an array consisting of strings and objects (dictionaries.) Strings are typed to your computer while objects allow you to control how your macro is typed out.
#### Object Format
All objects have one required key: `action`. This tells QMK what the object does. There are currently 5 actions: beep, delay, down, tap, up
Only basic keycodes (prefixed by `KC_`) are supported. Do not include the `KC_` prefix when listing keycodes.
* `beep`
* Play a bell if the keyboard has [audio enabled](feature_audio.md).
* Example: `{"action": "beep"}`
* `delay`
* Pause macro playback. Duration is specified in milliseconds (ms).
* Example: `{"action": "delay", "duration": 500}`
* `down`
* Send a key down event for one or more keycodes.
* Example, single key: `{"action":"down", "keycodes": ["LSFT"]}`
* Example, multiple keys: `{"action":"down", "keycodes": ["CTRL", "LSFT"]}`
* `tap`
* Type a chord, which sends a down event for each key followed by an up event for each key.
* Example, single key: `{"action":"tap", "keycodes": ["F13"]}`
* Example, multiple keys: `{"action":"tap", "keycodes": ["CTRL", "LALT", "DEL"]}`
* `up`
* Send a key up event for one or more keycodes.
* Example, single key: `{"action":"up", "keycodes": ["LSFT"]}`
* Example, multiple keys: `{"action":"up", "keycodes": ["CTRL", "LSFT"]}`
## Using Macros in C Keymaps
### `SEND_STRING()`&`process_record_user`
Sometimes you want a key to type out words or phrases. For the most common situations, we've provided `SEND_STRING()`, which will type out a string (i.e. a sequence of characters) for you. All ASCII characters that are easily translatable to a keycode are supported (e.g. `qmk 123\n\t`).
In addition to the `process_record_user()` function, is the `post_process_record_user()` function. This runs after `process_record` and can be used to do things after a keystroke has been sent. This is useful if you want to have a key pressed before and released after a normal key, for instance.
You may want to use keys in your macros that you can't write down, such as `Ctrl` or `Home`.
You can send arbitrary keycodes by wrapping them in:
@ -178,7 +278,7 @@ They can be used like this:
Which would send Left Control+`a` (Left Control down, `a`, Left Control up) - notice that they take strings (eg `"k"`), and not the `X_K` keycodes.
### Alternative Keymaps
#### Alternative Keymaps
By default, it assumes a US keymap with a QWERTY layout; if you want to change that (e.g. if your OS uses software Colemak), include this somewhere in your keymap:
@ -186,7 +286,7 @@ By default, it assumes a US keymap with a QWERTY layout; if you want to change t
#include "sendstring_colemak.h"
```
### Strings in Memory
#### Strings in Memory
If for some reason you're manipulating strings and need to print out something you just generated (instead of being a literal, constant string), you can use `send_string()`, like this:
There are some functions you may find useful in macro-writing. Keep in mind that while you can write some fairly advanced code within a macro, if your functionality gets too complex you may want to define a custom keycode instead. Macros are meant to be simple.
?> You can also use the functions described in [Useful function](ref_functions.md) and [Checking modifier state](feature_advanced_keycodes#checking-modifier-state) for additional functionality. For example, `reset_keyboard()` allows you to reset the keyboard as part of a macro and `get_mods() & MOD_MASK_SHIFT` lets you check for the existence of active shift modifiers.
### `record->event.pressed`
####`record->event.pressed`
This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed or released. An example of this is
@ -223,15 +323,15 @@ This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed
}
```
### `register_code(<kc>);`
####`register_code(<kc>);`
This sends the `<kc>` keydown event to the computer. Some examples would be `KC_ESC`, `KC_C`, `KC_4`, and even modifiers such as `KC_LSFT` and `KC_LGUI`.
### `unregister_code(<kc>);`
####`unregister_code(<kc>);`
Parallel to `register_code` function, this sends the `<kc>` keyup event to the computer. If you don't use this, the key will be held down until it's sent.
### `tap_code(<kc>);`
####`tap_code(<kc>);`
Sends `register_code(<kc>)` and then `unregister_code(<kc>)`. This is useful if you want to send both the press and release events ("tap" the key, rather than hold it).
@ -239,31 +339,31 @@ If `TAP_CODE_DELAY` is defined (default 0), this function waits that many millis
If the keycode is `KC_CAPS`, it waits `TAP_HOLD_CAPS_DELAY` milliseconds instead (default 80), as macOS prevents accidental Caps Lock activation by waiting for the key to be held for a certain amount of time.
### `tap_code_delay(<kc>, <delay>);`
####`tap_code_delay(<kc>, <delay>);`
Like `tap_code(<kc>)`, but with a `delay` parameter for specifying arbitrary intervals before sending the unregister event.
### `register_code16(<kc>);`, `unregister_code16(<kc>);` and `tap_code16(<kc>);`
####`register_code16(<kc>);`, `unregister_code16(<kc>);` and `tap_code16(<kc>);`
These functions work similar to their regular counterparts, but allow you to use modded keycodes (with Shift, Alt, Control, and/or GUI applied to them).
Eg, you could use `register_code16(S(KC_5));` instead of registering the mod, then registering the keycode.
### `clear_keyboard();`
####`clear_keyboard();`
This will clear all mods and keys currently pressed.
### `clear_mods();`
####`clear_mods();`
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
### `clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
####`clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
## Advanced Example:
### Advanced Example:
### Super ALT↯TAB
#### Super ALT↯TAB
This macro will register `KC_LALT` and tap `KC_TAB`, then wait for 1000ms. If the key is tapped again, it will send another `KC_TAB`; if there is no tap, `KC_LALT` will be unregistered, thus allowing you to cycle through windows.