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    Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    • Started by candrew
    • 3 Replies:
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    • Registered: 27-Jun-2024
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    06-Jan-2026 11:00:25#1 Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    Hi everyone,
    I have created a merge request to remove the Caps Lock -> Backspace mod in XKB implementations of Colemak (all variants, including Rulemak), leaving Caps Lock as-is by default. This is primarily to make Colemak more approachable and useful for beginners.
    It can still obviously be re-enabled as an XKB option for those who want to use it.

    Also note that some language-specific variants did not have the Caps -> Backspace mod before.

    This post is to see what everyone thinks and to notify those who use the Caps Lock -> Backspace remap in XKB of potential future surprises!
    Keeping comments here to keep the XKB thread clean would also be appreciated.

    Thanks!

    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/xkeyboar … quests/872

    Last edited by candrew (06-Jan-2026 11:33:35)
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    • From: Belgium
    • Registered: 26-Feb-2008
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    08-Jan-2026 22:23:57#2 Re: Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    As already mentioned on github, I'm not in favor of this change.  And a poll on this forum or on Discord, where advanced layout modders hang out, is perhaps not very representative for a silent majority of Colemak users who are happy with the (long-established) defaults? :)

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
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    22-Jan-2026 13:31:10#3 Re: Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    As already mentioned on GitHub, I'm all in favor of this change.

    As said before, I've been against the bundling of the base layout with the CapsLock-to-Backspace trick ever since I started modding. They are two different things, and should be treated as such. Especially on Linux, which generally strives to provide modular solutions in the interest of flexibility. The famous KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle is what's at stake.

    Linux/XKB has options for CapsLock behavior. These are applicable no matter which base layout you use. Therefore, Colemak bundling the two together flies in the face of the system's expected behavior. We've had several frustrated users complaining about this, and the only solution I could offer them was to edit system files which ought not to be necessary for such a setting.

    Linux users have long wanted their CapsLock key to be a Ctrl or an Esc – or indeed a Back. Now they may also make it a powerful Extend key. But not as long as their base layout hijacks that choice.

    It is of course a rather sad fact that this error has stayed in XKB for many years and many users have come to view it as normal behavior for Colemak and expect it. But it's still better to fix it now than never.

    Last edited by DreymaR (22-Jan-2026 13:33:04)

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    • From: Belgium
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    22-Jan-2026 22:25:06#4 Re: Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations
    DreymaR said:

    ... and the only solution I could offer them was to edit system files which ought not to be necessary for such a setting.
    ... not as long as their base layout hijacks that choice.

    This is not true.  The same modular capslock options are available regardless of what the underlying layout maps it to by default. 
    Try `setxkbmap -option caps:return` for example, to make Caps Lock a second Return key.  It works ontop of Colemak as well.

    Last edited by ghen (22-Jan-2026 22:58:52)
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