Karabiner-Elements
by pqrs.org (Takayama Fumihiko) · Application · also known as Karabiner
Free, public-domain keyboard customizer for macOS that remaps keys and defines complex modifications through JSON rules at the driver level
Overview
Karabiner-Elements is a keyboard customizer for macOS developed by pqrs.org and released into the public domain (Unlicense). Unlike application-level tools it works with a virtual HID driver, so remappings apply system-wide and per physical device before applications see the keystrokes. Simple modifications swap one key for another from a graphical list; complex modifications are JSON rules that can turn Caps Lock into Escape when tapped and Control when held, create layers, add Vi or Emacs bindings, or change behavior per application. Rules can be imported from a community collection.
Profiles let users switch sets of rules, settings can be scoped to specific keyboards, and a companion EventViewer shows raw key events for debugging. The current release supports macOS 13 through the latest version on Intel and Apple Silicon, with older releases for earlier systems.
It is purely a keyboard tool: there is no window management, mouse scripting or general automation, and installing its driver extension requires approving a system extension and granting input-monitoring permission.
Capabilities
- System-wide key remapping via a virtual HID driver
- Complex JSON rules with tap/hold, layers and per-app conditions
- Device-specific settings and switchable profiles
- Importable community rule collections
- EventViewer for inspecting key events
Typical workflows
- Make Caps Lock act as Escape and Control
- Give an external PC keyboard Mac modifier layout
- Add a navigation layer on the home row
Strengths
- Free and public domain
- Works below the application layer, so remaps are universal
- Long-maintained with current macOS support
Limitations
- Keyboard only; no mouse or window automation
- Requires system-extension and input-monitoring approval
- JSON rule syntax has a learning curve
Prerequisites
- macOS 13 or later for the current release
Who it is for
- Keyboard-focused users and developers
- People using non-Apple keyboards on Macs
Alternatives & comparison
- Hammerspoon
Open-source macOS automation app that exposes system APIs to a Lua configuration file for hotkeys, window management and event-driven scripts
Open sourceOpen source - Keyboard Maestro
Commercial macOS macro application that runs sequences of actions from hotkeys, typed strings, application, time, device and system triggers
ProprietaryPaid
Sources & verification
Primary sources consulted for this record. Claims are tied to the fields each source supports; the automated link checker re-verifies every URL on a schedule.
- Licensehttps://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/blob/main/LICENSE.mdchecked Nov 1, 2026
Supports: license_spdx, source_model
Public-domain dedication (Unlicense text)
- Official documentationchecked Nov 1, 2026
- Official siteKarabiner-Elementschecked Nov 1, 2026
https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/
Supports: name, summary, capabilities, prerequisites
- Confidence
- High
- Reviewed
- Nov 1, 2026
- Links
- Verified · Nov 2, 2026
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