Quick Facts
- Author
- Michael Dickens (MTGAP)
- Year
- 2012
- Finger Map
- Traditional
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Quick Facts
- Author
- Michael Dickens (MTGAP)
- Year
- 2012
- Finger Map
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Quick Facts
- Author
- Michael Dickens (MTGAP)
- Year
- 2012
MTGAP refers to a series of keyboard layouts generated by Michael Dickens, who also goes by MTGAP, using a keyboard layout optimizer that implements simulated annealing.
Michael Dickens’ blog contains numerous samples of layouts generated between 2008 and 2012, and some but not all of them carry the name MTGAP. Nowadays, MTGAP mainly refers to the 30-key version from this 2012 blog post—despite this particular variant not being called MTGAP (or any name at all, for that matter) by Michael Dickens himself.
MTGAP is notable for being substantially better than all keyboard layouts before it (with the arguable exception of Maltron, which has the advantage of E on thumb). The metrics used in its design share more in common with much later layout optimization projects than with the other projects of its time. This includes a stunning repudiation of the common belief at the time that putting the most common letters on the home row and minimizing finger travel distance are the primary goals of a good keyboard layout.
Install
Section titled “Install”There are two downloads available for Windows:
| Method | Admin Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Native | Yes | Official Microsoft method for adding custom keyboard layouts. |
| AutoHotkey | No | Requires 3rd party remapping software. Does not take effect until AutoHotkey is launched. |
-
Install Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC):
-
Download the KLC file for the desired version of MTGAP:
-
Open the downloaded
.klcfile in Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator. -
In MSKLC, go to Project → Build DLL and Setup Package.
-
Navigate to the generated folder and run
setup.exeas Administrator. -
Follow the installer instructions to complete the installation.
-
Go to Windows Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region → Language Options → Add a keyboard and select your new MTGAP layout.
-
Install AutoHotkey:
-
Download the AutoHotkey script file for the desired version of MTGAP:
-
Save the downloaded
.ahkfile to a convenient location on your computer. -
Double-click the
.ahkfile to run the script. You should see the AutoHotkey icon appear in your system tray. -
Make sure you know how to type your computer password using MTGAP.
-
Your keyboard is now remapped to MTGAP! The script will continue running until you close it or restart your computer.
-
To run automatically on startup: Copy the
.ahkfile to your Windows Startup folder:C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartupYou can quickly access this folder by pressing Win + R, typing
shell:startup, and pressing Enter.
There are two downloads available for macOS:
| Method | Admin Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Native | Optional | Does not require 3rd party key remapping software. Admin is required to install for all users and use on first login. |
| Karabiner-Elements | Yes | Requires 3rd party key remapping software, including the installation of a Driver Extension. Allows for remapping of only specific keyboards. |
-
Download the keylayout file for the desired version of MTGAP:
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Extract the downloaded zip file.
-
Install the
.keylayoutfile:Run one of the install scripts from the extracted folder:
- install-user.sh to install for a single user
- install-system.sh to install for all users
- mtgap_X.keylayout the layout to install
To install for a single user: Copy the
.keylayoutfile from the extracted folder to~/Library/Keyboard Layouts. Create the folder if it doesn’t exist.To install for all users: Copy the
.keylayoutfile from the extracted folder to/Library/Keyboard Layouts. -
Restart macOS.
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Open System Settings.
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Go to Keyboard → Text Input → Input Sources → Edit… and add your new MTGAP layout.
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Press the “+” button at the bottom left.
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Search for “MTGAP,” select your new layout, and press Add.
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Install Karabiner-Elements:
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Download the Karabiner rule file for the desired version of MTGAP:
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In Karabiner-Elements Settings, go to “Complex Modifications,” then press “Add predefined rule” at the top.
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Make sure you know how to type your computer password using MTGAP.
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Scroll down to the “MTGAP” section and enable the rule you want.
“All keyboards” remaps MTGAP onto all keyboards while connected to this computer. Select this reason unless you want to exclude some keyboards from remapping.
“Built-in keyboard only” remaps your device's built-in keyboard, as well as any other keyboard for which “Treat as built-in keyboard” (under the “Devices” section) is enabled. Select this option if you plan to map MTGAP onto an external keyboard using custom firmware.
-
To use MTGAP on the password entry screen before logging in, follow the official instructions:
-
Download the XKB file for the desired version of MTGAP:
-
Extract the downloaded tar.gz file.
-
Run the install script from the extracted folder:
Terminal window sudo ./install-system.shThis copies the layout files to
/usr/share/X11/xkband registers the layout with the system. -
Add the layout to your desktop environment. Refer to your desktop environment's documentation for specific instructions.