Switching esc with caps lock

[robertorodriguezarch]

How do I make it so that I can press caps lock instead of ESC to go to normal mode?

[Matt Ellis (citizenmatt)]

This has to be handled at the OS level, rather than within IdeaVim, since caps lock is a stateful key that enables/disables caps lock, rather than a simple key press like escape. If you're on Mac, you can use the Keyboard page of System Settings to change Keyboard Shortcuts, select Modifier Keys and change caps lock to map to Escape.

I don't know how to do this in Windows or Linux, but I suspect a web search will be able to suggest a solution.

[robertorodriguezarch]

Yes, that is what I did. Thank you!

[Thomas Gautvedt (OptimusCrime)]

First thing that I do when a set up a new Macbook.

For Windows you can either use AutoHotKey, or configured it in the keyboard software (like Logitech for example).

[sharpchen (sharpchen)]

For Windows you can either use AutoHotKey

Or use PowerToys :)

[lippfi]

For Linux you can use setxkbmap -option caps:swapescape

But the best option is to buy a programmable keyboard. It will work on all Windows, Mac, and Linux without any struggle with settings. And... it will be a good keyboard

[Oleksii Lahoshyn (ayzenquwe)]

I would also recommend to check out Karabiner if you're on mac. For example, it allows you to remap ctrl+P/N to up/down arrows (only for Idea) which helps to navigate context menus or project/structure panels.

You do that in "Complex Modifications":

{
    "description": "Remap ctrl+p/n to arrow up/down in IntelliJ IDEA only",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "bundle_identifiers": [
                        "^com.jetbrains.intellij"
                    ],
                    "type": "frontmost_application_if"
                }
            ],
            "from": {
                "key_code": "p",
                "modifiers": {
                    "mandatory": [
                        "control"
                    ]
                }
            },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "up_arrow"
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        },
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "bundle_identifiers": [
                        "^com.jetbrains.intellij"
                    ],
                    "type": "frontmost_application_if"
                }
            ],
            "from": {
                "key_code": "n",
                "modifiers": {
                    "mandatory": [
                        "control"
                    ]
                }
            },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "down_arrow"
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}