Setting up Mac

Based off of Jon Halverson's: https://github.com/jdh4/mac_productivity/tree/main/raycast

Karabiner-Elements + Raycast

• Karabiner-Elements: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/
• Karabiner-EventViewer: Shows what keys are being pressed (useful for creating rules)
• Raycast: https://www.raycast.com/
  • Uses Karabiner-Elements under the hood
  • raycast > Export Settings & Data > copy file to another computer > Import Settings & Data

Installation

1. karabiner-elements setup:
2. cp karabiner_config/karabiner.json ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json
3. Remaps caps lock to command+control+option+shift.
4. macos > system settings > keyboard > keyboard shortcuts > spotlight > disable spotlight search
   1. keyboard shortcuts > Mission Control > change "Mission Control" -> caps + up arrow
   2. keyboard shortcuts > Mission Control > Move left a space -> caps + left arrow
   3. keyboard shortcuts > Mission Control > Move right a space -> caps + right arrow
5. raycast > cmd + , > general > raycast hotkey > cmd + space
6. raycast > extensions > search files > add alias > caps + f
7. raycast > extensions > search files > Search By > Change "Name" to "Name and Contents"
8. raycast > extensions > clipboard > clipboard history > add alias > caps + v
9. raycast adding scripts: raycast > extensions > scripts > Add Directory > Point it to this project's raycast_scripts directory
10. raycast > extensions > quicklinks > Pass selected text as argument (turn on)
11. raycast > extensions > quicklinks > search google > caps + g

Development

• raycast tracks user-specified directories (for scripts). No syncing needed as we work directly with the source.
• karabiner-elements uses json file which we can sync the local version (for vcs) and the one used on the machine.
  • use sync_karabiner.sh to sync the local version to the machine.

Agent Usage

Sync .claude directory, mapping the directory tree, into a target directory's .claude directory. symlinks all leaf files.

./sync_claude.py <target_folder> --clean-old-symlinks

VoiceInk

Voice transcription open source software for macOS. See build instructions here [[notes/voiceink.md]]

Things to think about:

• Dynamic placeholders (like {cursor} and {date}) can be used with raycast snippets and quicklinks
• raycast snippets: store and insert frequently used text with dynamic placeholders
• raycast quicklinks:
  • if website provides search through url, i.e. google translate, can add as quicklink

FAQ

Q: My external keyboard is not recognizing karabiner-elements rules (remappings) A: Configurations > Devices > Modify events (set on) > Treat as built-in keyboard (set on)