Unfortunately all the keyboard jargon makes it hard for me to know what to search or, or to understand any of the discussion when I do find something.
I want this functionality from my ergodox zsa:
I’m using (from Tap-hold for Gaming - #4 by maexxx):
ifPrimary final tapKey a
holdKey leftShift
But this does not use a timeout. Often when I am typing I haven’t released the a key by the time i’m pressing the next key. Can I make it timeout based?
Yes, see advanced secondary role options in Agent.
In a macro called $onInit, I have configured some values to tweak the primary/secondary role resolution:
set secondaryRole.defaultStrategy advanced
set secondaryRole.advanced.timeout 250
set secondaryRole.advanced.timeoutAction secondary
set secondaryRole.advanced.triggerByRelease 1
set secondaryRole.advanced.safetyMargin +5 // positive values for safetyMargin favour primary role, negative favour secondary role
With these settings, you have a timeout, and you have a slight preference towards primary resolution (your a) when there’s a slight overlap between key presses.
I believe nowadays you can also set these values directly in Agent. I have them in my $onInit for historical reasons.
Your shift function on the a key is also otherwise known as a “home row mod” (modifier on a home-row key). These are tricky to get right, because timing is critical in distinguishing a vs. shift function, especially when you are typing fast.
I’m on macOS. Where’s the advanced secondary role agent setting?
Agent version: 4.2.0
Firmware: 11.1.0
That is under typing behavior. It’s not os dependent. Be aware though between ergodox qmk and uhk own firmware there a large differences in terms of behavior so you may have surprises if you look to have consistency.
