Simple Symbol Layer

• a symbol layer that makes sense.

Key ideas, SSLayer:

• is exceptionally easy to memorize thanks to its symmetrical intuitive design;
• is suitable for programmers, specialists, and regular users. Whether you are writing Python code, navigating in the terminal, or working in accounting software with special symbol codes - the layout is truly universal! Writing symbol-rich texts (such as markdown) also becomes a pleasure;
• is great for non-English keyboard users, making symbol placement consistent across languages thanks to the Right Alt layer utilization. ALL symbols are accessible from ANY language - no more switching to type one symbol and no more confusion because of the different placements of the same symbols!
• can be used with both programmable (full: symbols and numbers layers) and regular keyboards (without numbers on the home row, just SSLayer symbols and numbers in their standard places) thanks to the Right Alt layer utilization.

Installation

You can find example installers in the installers directory.

• For Windows or Android - simply run the installer
• For Linux - place the layout files in /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/ and select the layout following your distribution's instructions

If you posses a programmable keyboard, you might want to consider adjusting its firmware to fully utilize the layout (bind both symbol and number layers to the keys of your choice). You may see how it can be implemented for both ZMK and QMK in the hardware-examples directory.

Note: layout files for more languages will be added in the future.

Symbols placement justifications:

General:

• ., ,, %, grave are in their QWERTY places. &, | are almost in their QWERTY places;
• {-}, (-), [-], <->, !-|, ?-!, /-\ - are placed symmetrically, making them easier to remember;
• {}-[], "-', :-; - are placed one above the other, just as they are accessible with Shift in QWERTY;
• {} () [] are inward rolls
• ;) :) ;] :] ;} :} are inward rolls as well :)
• :, %, =, -, +, *, ^, $, ~, /, . are not at the home row, therefore, they do not overlap with numbers, making it possible to type time, dates, percents, money, and use a calculator without having to switch the numbers layer!

Tool-specific:

• <> are placed where programmable keyboard users usually put their arrow keys
• # at the home row, making it easier to write comments and codes (such as HEX codes)
• =!/+-*<> - an "equation" cluster, making it easy to write equations and conditions in programming languages (e.g. += or <= in Python)

Linux and Bash

• ~/, ./ - CLI navigation with ease
• <, >, | are next to each other - CLI "piping" with ease

Vim:

• ^, $ - start and end of a line
• : next to w and q making it possible for newbies to exit by pressing keys randomly :)
• ", + are not at the home row (therefore, they do not overlap with numbers), making Vim registers nicer
• + is at y in Colemak, making it nicer to copy from Vim to the OS clipboard

TODO:

• Add more detailed installation instructions and more options
• Check that all installers work correctly and are up-to-date
• Add more tool-specific justifications (especially for various programming languages).
• Think about swapping / and \ (so that / is at its default colemak/qwerty position, no confusion across layers)