try new key binding strategy for Sway/i3

The main reason for doing this is to obtain more ergonomic replacements for
Super+j/k/comma/period, which I type a lot.

It also gains us some uniformity in what modifier keys mean.

2 files changed, 120 insertions, 109 deletions

diff --git a/.config/i3/config b/.config/i3/config
index 126c80bb..4ec955ee 100644
--- a/.config/i3/config
+++ b/.config/i3/config
@@ -40,10 +40,21 @@ focus_wrapping workspace
 
 mouse_warping output
 
-# Put bindings I don't need to repeat under C-i, so that we have enough keys
-# left on the right hand that caps lock can be our only Super modifier, yet we
-# do not need any one-handed chording.  *Only* bindings I might want to hit more
-# than once in a row should be outside of this C-i map
+# Key binding strategy:
+#
+# Use Ctrl+N and Mod1+Ctrl+N, which will never be bound in Emacs, for bindings
+# I will often need to type more than once in a row.  Otherwise put the
+# bindings under the C-i prefix map, which will never be bound by Emacs
+# because text terminals typically can't distinguish between C-i and TAB.
+# If we need it, we can bind C-i Ctrl+N, C-i Mod1+Ctrl+N to pass the keys
+# through, like C-\ \ in tmux.
+#
+# Previously we used Mod4 modifying a key on the right side of the keyboard
+# instead of Ctrl+N and Mod1+Ctrl+N; there are enough of these that we can
+# still avoid any one-handed chording with only a single Super key.  However,
+# this means using the weak little finger to hold down a modifier key for more
+# than one keypress with the other hand, which is worth avoiding.
+
 mode "C-i-" {
 	# make a fresh Emacs frame -- typically this gets invoked only on
 	# empty workspaces, as otherwise I use commands under `C-x 5` to get
@@ -162,31 +173,31 @@ mode "C-i-" {
         bindsym semicolon workspace back_and_forth, mode "default"
 
         # move focused container to workspace
-        bindsym Shift+1 move container to workspace 1, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+2 move container to workspace 2, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+3 move container to workspace 3, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+4 move container to workspace 4, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+5 move container to workspace 5, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+6 move container to workspace 6, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+7 move container to workspace 7, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+8 move container to workspace 8, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+9 move container to workspace 9, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+0 move container to workspace 10, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F1 move container to workspace 11:F1, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F2 move container to workspace 12:F2, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F3 move container to workspace 13:F3, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F4 move container to workspace 14:F4, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F5 move container to workspace 15:F5, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F6 move container to workspace 16:F6, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F7 move container to workspace 17:F7, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F8 move container to workspace 18:F8, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F9 move container to workspace 19:F9, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F10 move container to workspace 20:F10, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F11 move container to workspace 21:F11, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F12 move container to workspace 22:F12, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
+        bindsym Mod1+1 move container to workspace 1, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+2 move container to workspace 2, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+3 move container to workspace 3, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+4 move container to workspace 4, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+5 move container to workspace 5, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+6 move container to workspace 6, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+7 move container to workspace 7, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+8 move container to workspace 8, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+9 move container to workspace 9, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+0 move container to workspace 10, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F1 move container to workspace 11:F1, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F2 move container to workspace 12:F2, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F3 move container to workspace 13:F3, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F4 move container to workspace 14:F4, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F5 move container to workspace 15:F5, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F6 move container to workspace 16:F6, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F7 move container to workspace 17:F7, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F8 move container to workspace 18:F8, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F9 move container to workspace 19:F9, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F10 move container to workspace 20:F10, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F11 move container to workspace 21:F11, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F12 move container to workspace 22:F12, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
                 mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+Ctrl+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
+        bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
                 workspace back_and_forth, mode "default"
 
         # next unused workspace
@@ -194,11 +205,11 @@ mode "C-i-" {
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace, \
                 mode "default"
 	# sends window to next unused but doesn't change view
-        bindsym Shift+j exec --no-startup-id \
+        bindsym Mod1+j exec --no-startup-id \
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace --send, \
                 mode "default"
 	# sends window to next unused and changes view
-	bindsym Shift+Ctrl+j exec --no-startup-id \
+	bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+j exec --no-startup-id \
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace --take, \
 		mode "default"
 
@@ -233,35 +244,30 @@ mode "C-i-" {
         bindsym space mode "default"
         bindsym Ctrl+g mode "default"
 }
-# C-i is perfect for window manager bindings because it will never be
-# bound in my Emacs config, as text terminals typically cannot
-# distinguish between <tab> and C-i
 bindsym Ctrl+i mode "C-i-"
 
 # change focus
-bindsym Mod4+j focus left
-bindsym Mod4+k focus right
-bindsym Mod4+n focus down
-bindsym Mod4+p focus up
+bindsym Ctrl+7 focus left
+bindsym Ctrl+0 focus right
+bindsym Ctrl+8 focus down
+bindsym Ctrl+9 focus up
 
 # move focused window
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+j move left
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+k move right
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+n move down
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+p move up
-
-bindsym Mod4+apostrophe layout toggle split
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+7 move left
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+0 move right
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+8 move down
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+9 move up
 
 bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+i kill
 
-# Cycle through all workspaces on monitor.  Unlike C-i j and C-i [0-9]+, these
-# move the container *and* switch view to the other workspace, because there
-# are more like Mod4+Ctrl+j/k than they are like the C-i bindings
-bindsym Mod4+comma workspace prev_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+period workspace next_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+less move container to workspace prev_on_output, \
+bindsym Ctrl+minus layout toggle split
+
+# Cycle through all workspaces on monitor.
+bindsym Ctrl+3 workspace prev_on_output
+bindsym Ctrl+4 workspace next_on_output
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+3 move container to workspace prev_on_output, \
         workspace prev_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+greater move container to workspace next_on_output, \
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+4 move container to workspace next_on_output, \
         workspace next_on_output
 
 # # move focus between monitors -- if we have more than one monitor, we
@@ -278,10 +284,10 @@ bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+greater move container to workspace next_on_output, \
 # bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+Mod2+KP_Right move workspace to output right
 # bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+KP_6 move workspace to output right
 
-bindsym Mod4+i focus output left
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+i move workspace to output left
-bindsym Mod4+o focus output right
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+o move workspace to output right
+bindsym Ctrl+1 focus output left
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+1 move workspace to output left
+bindsym Ctrl+2 focus output right
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+2 move workspace to output right
 
 # Start i3bar to display a workspace bar (plus the system information i3status
 # finds out, if available)
diff --git a/.config/sway/config b/.config/sway/config
index e3b9d9fd..68e2f6cc 100644
--- a/.config/sway/config
+++ b/.config/sway/config
@@ -25,10 +25,21 @@ focus_wrapping workspace
 
 mouse_warping output
 
-# Put bindings I don't need to repeat under C-i, so that we have enough keys
-# left on the right hand that caps lock can be our only Super modifier, yet we
-# do not need any one-handed chording.  *Only* bindings I might want to hit more
-# than once in a row should be outside of this C-i map
+# Key binding strategy:
+#
+# Use Ctrl+N and Mod1+Ctrl+N, which will never be bound in Emacs, for bindings
+# I will often need to type more than once in a row.  Otherwise put the
+# bindings under the C-i prefix map, which will never be bound by Emacs
+# because text terminals typically can't distinguish between C-i and TAB.
+# If we need it, we can bind C-i Ctrl+N, C-i Mod1+Ctrl+N to pass the keys
+# through, like C-\ \ in tmux.
+#
+# Previously we used Mod4 modifying a key on the right side of the keyboard
+# instead of Ctrl+N and Mod1+Ctrl+N; there are enough of these that we can
+# still avoid any one-handed chording with only a single Super key.  However,
+# this means using the weak little finger to hold down a modifier key for more
+# than one keypress with the other hand, which is worth avoiding.
+
 mode "C-i-" {
 	# make a fresh Emacs frame -- typically this gets invoked only on
 	# empty workspaces, as otherwise I use commands under `C-x 5` to get
@@ -134,31 +145,31 @@ mode "C-i-" {
         bindsym semicolon workspace back_and_forth, mode "default"
 
         # move focused container to workspace
-        bindsym Shift+1 move container to workspace 1, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+2 move container to workspace 2, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+3 move container to workspace 3, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+4 move container to workspace 4, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+5 move container to workspace 5, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+6 move container to workspace 6, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+7 move container to workspace 7, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+8 move container to workspace 8, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+9 move container to workspace 9, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+0 move container to workspace 10, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F1 move container to workspace 11:F1, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F2 move container to workspace 12:F2, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F3 move container to workspace 13:F3, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F4 move container to workspace 14:F4, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F5 move container to workspace 15:F5, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F6 move container to workspace 16:F6, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F7 move container to workspace 17:F7, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F8 move container to workspace 18:F8, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F9 move container to workspace 19:F9, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F10 move container to workspace 20:F10, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F11 move container to workspace 21:F11, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+F12 move container to workspace 22:F12, mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
+        bindsym Mod1+1 move container to workspace 1, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+2 move container to workspace 2, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+3 move container to workspace 3, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+4 move container to workspace 4, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+5 move container to workspace 5, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+6 move container to workspace 6, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+7 move container to workspace 7, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+8 move container to workspace 8, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+9 move container to workspace 9, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+0 move container to workspace 10, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F1 move container to workspace 11:F1, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F2 move container to workspace 12:F2, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F3 move container to workspace 13:F3, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F4 move container to workspace 14:F4, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F5 move container to workspace 15:F5, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F6 move container to workspace 16:F6, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F7 move container to workspace 17:F7, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F8 move container to workspace 18:F8, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F9 move container to workspace 19:F9, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F10 move container to workspace 20:F10, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F11 move container to workspace 21:F11, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+F12 move container to workspace 22:F12, mode "default"
+        bindsym Mod1+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
                 mode "default"
-        bindsym Shift+Ctrl+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
+        bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+semicolon move container to workspace back_and_forth, \
                 workspace back_and_forth, mode "default"
 
         # next unused workspace
@@ -166,11 +177,11 @@ mode "C-i-" {
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace, \
                 mode "default"
 	# sends window to next unused but doesn't change view
-        bindsym Shift+j exec \
+        bindsym Mod1+j exec \
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace --send, \
                 mode "default"
 	# sends window to next unused and changes view
-	bindsym Shift+Ctrl+j exec \
+	bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+j exec \
                 ~/src/dotfiles/scripts/desktop/fresh-workspace --take, \
 		mode "default"
 
@@ -246,9 +257,6 @@ mode "C-i-" {
         bindsym --locked Ctrl+g mode "default"
 
 }
-# C-i is perfect for window manager bindings because it will never be
-# bound in my Emacs config, as text terminals typically cannot
-# distinguish between <tab> and C-i
 bindsym --locked Ctrl+i mode "C-i-"
 
 for_window [con_mark=caffeinated] inhibit_idle open
@@ -257,41 +265,38 @@ for_window [title="ftp-master GNU mc session"] mark mc
 for_window [title="ftp-master dak command session"] mark dak
 
 # change focus
-bindsym Mod4+j focus left
-bindsym Mod4+k focus right
-bindsym Mod4+n focus down
-bindsym Mod4+p focus up
+bindsym Ctrl+7 focus left
+bindsym Ctrl+0 focus right
+bindsym Ctrl+8 focus down
+bindsym Ctrl+9 focus up
 
 # move focused window
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+j move left
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+k move right
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+n move down
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+p move up
-
-bindsym Mod4+apostrophe layout toggle split
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+7 move left
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+0 move right
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+8 move down
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+9 move up
 
 bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+i kill
 
-# Cycle through all workspaces on monitor.  Unlike C-i j and C-i [0-9]+, these
-# move the container *and* switch view to the other workspace, because there
-# are more like Mod4+Ctrl+j/k than they are like the C-i bindings.
-#
+bindsym Ctrl+minus layout toggle split
+
+# Cycle through all workspaces on monitor.
 # Warp the cursor to a point on the screen which is hopefully a titlebar.
 # This means that cycling through workspaces does not abruptly stop because,
 # e.g., a VNC client has grabbed the keyboard upon entry to the workspace.
-bindsym Mod4+comma seat - cursor set 0 0, workspace prev_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+period seat - cursor set 0 0, workspace next_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+comma seat - cursor set 0 0, \
+bindsym Ctrl+3 seat - cursor set 0 0, workspace prev_on_output
+bindsym Ctrl+4 seat - cursor set 0 0, workspace next_on_output
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+3 seat - cursor set 0 0, \
         move container to workspace prev_on_output, \
         workspace prev_on_output
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+period seat - cursor set 0 0, \
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+4 seat - cursor set 0 0, \
         move container to workspace next_on_output, \
         workspace next_on_output
 
-bindsym Mod4+i focus output left
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+i move workspace to output left
-bindsym Mod4+o focus output right
-bindsym Mod4+Ctrl+o move workspace to output right
+bindsym Ctrl+1 focus output left
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+1 move workspace to output left
+bindsym Ctrl+2 focus output right
+bindsym Mod1+Ctrl+2 move workspace to output right
 
 # Start swaybar to display a workspace bar (plus the system information
 # i3status finds out, if available)