I'm using a Mac and don't know how to code, but I have an AutoHotkey file that I'd like to use for changing key bindings. Is there a way to convert the script to Karabiner-Elements, or would I need to recreate the mappings manually?
3 Answers
If the script is small, manually rewriting it in Karabiner-Elements’ JSON format is usually manageable. Look at a few example rules and adapt the keys and actions you need. More advanced AutoHotkey features, such as loops or window management, won’t translate directly; Hammerspoon may be a better fit for that kind of automation.
Karabiner-Elements is mainly for sending different key events, so it won’t handle arbitrary text expansion or substitution from an AutoHotkey script. For text snippets, use a text-replacement tool such as Alfred or macOS’s built-in text replacement feature.
There isn’t a universal converter because AutoHotkey and Karabiner-Elements work differently. For simple key remaps and hotkeys, you can recreate the mappings in Karabiner’s Complex Modifications editor, which lets you build rules without writing all the JSON yourself.
I only need to change key bindings. Is there a straightforward way to translate those mappings?