Modify Keyboard Layout in Linux
I have an x230 laptop that I typically use docked on my desk to an external keyboard, the Kinesis Advantage 2.
I’ve customized the Kinesis’ layout with its SmartSet Programming Engine to use more suitable keybindings.
One of the customizations includes swapping the capslock and esc keys.
As an (n)vim user, I find the esc key is more often utilized than the capslock key,
so it is ergonomically advantageous to swap the esc key to the default capslock
location on the home row where the pinky can more easily reach it.
Unfortunately, the Kinesis’ layout customization does not persist when using the laptop’s built-in keyboard. Here is how we can fix that, by persisting keymap modifications in Xorg, as explained in the hallowed Arch wiki:
xmodmap is a utility for modifying keymaps and pointer button mappings in Xorg.
It is recommended for only simple keyboard modifications.
In ~/.xinitrc, add the following line if you use GDM, XDM, or LightDM:
[[ -f $HOME/.Xmodmap ]] && xmodmap $HOME/.Xmodmap
Note: to confirm your display manager, run systemctl status display-manager (if
your operating system uses systemd).