Chromebook_XKB.md

Notes for Chromebook keyboard settings

Make the search key an additional Escape

The chromebook search key sends the keycode 133, or LWIN. This can be mapped as an additional escape key (useful for vim users) using XKB.

Create the file /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/chromebook_opts with the following:

// Make LWIN an additional Escape
hidden partial modifier_keys
xkb_symbols "search_esc" {
    key <LWIN> { [ Escape ] };
    modifier_map Mod4 { <LWIN> };
};

Edit /usr/share/X11/xkb/rules/evdev and add a new line in the ! option = symbols section:

  chromebook:search_esc = +chromebook_opts(search_esc)

Edit /usr/share/X11/xkb/rules/evdev.lst and add a new line the ! option section:

  chromebook:search_esc  Make Chromebook search key an additional ESC

XFCE / GalliumOS

Edit /etc/default/keyboard and add chromebook:search_esc to the XKBOPTIONS variable (comma-separated).

Gnome

Run dconf-editor, and add the 'chromebook:search_esc' xkb option for Gnome under org.gnome.desktop.input-sources.