Update 10/1/20: I previously had not covered the premium version, and now have, updating Alfred’s position on my list from 5 to 4. This also exists on Ubuntu and is more usable (mainly due to mouse speed) but needs some tuning to get used to.

Having an external numpad is also essential, or you’re stuck using your main keys and toggling mouse keys to alternate keyboard and mouse function. Left click and right click exist, but there is no mouse-wheel scroll function. I find it rather tacky and slow for my tastes (even cranked up to the max speed).

Native mouse keys is an alternative, with some caveats. If Karabiner is too low-level for you, macOS’s ) Apple’s inferior take on a keyboard-mouse There are also multiple other mouse key settings you can try. You can painlessly import my mouse key setup to Karabiner I’ve also mapped actions such as scroll, click, and right click, and have a precise and fast mouse navigation setting. In my personal setup that lets me use either hand/side of the keyboard, I’ve mapped ⌃ (Ctrl) + wasd OR ijkl to my mouse movements. Karabiner works by mapping mouse actions (mouse up, down, left, right, click, etc) onto the keyboard. I would list Karabiner as my first tool, but the process to set up and break in is a tad more involved. Karabiner is a true replacement to mouse input, and since picking it up I’ve retired my mouse. Mouse keys “Mouse killer” (Ubuntu and macOS) Completely controlled by my keyboard! Note: The beta is free, but the paid version costs $18. But when it works, it does save quite a few clicks, especially because you can select the button with ⌃ (Ctrl) + index, similar to Vimium’s indexing of links. It can be slower since you have to search the text, and doesn’t work in all circumstances. Shortcat is pretty useful for answering dialog boxes or clicking things with a kind of search index of the buttons on your entire screen. Select candidate button indexed with letters The functionality of Vimium’s UI indexing now universal on macOS and also being able to search the menu bar ( I’ve been waiting for someone to make this indexing functionality for MacOS overall, and Update 9/23/20: This functionality finally exists on MacOS, but at a price. The advantage of this is that indexing is not yet perfect. The difference between Vimac and iCMD is that there is a scrolling mode I find useful, and that iCMD has two UI indexing modes you can activate - a lighter one and a heavier one. Vimac works essentially the same as iCMD below. Update 11/22/20: I now recommend Vimac over iCMD since it’s free, open source, and just as good. If you’re a fan of vim, you’ve got a headstart with shortcuts. Mouse-free web browsingĪs you can see above, it can take care of just about all your needs. It’s easy to use, and I’ve never gone back to using my mouse in my browser again. Because most of us habitate inside our web browsers (this tool works on Google Chrome or Safari), Vimium is essential. If you ignored everything else, this is the tool I’d recommend. Vimium “Master of chrome” (All OS, chrome and safari) Spectacle “Resize and manipulate windows” (macOS)ġ.Alfred “Juiced up Spotlight” (macOS) $$.Karabiner & Mouse keys “Mouse killer” (macOS).Vimium “Master of chrome” (All OS, chrome and safari)ī) Replace mouse functions with the keyboard.

The goal of this guide is to introduce tools that can 1) expose powerful new keyboard shortcuts, and 2) completely replace the mouse with your keyboard. In my experience, eliminating mouse and trackpad use has not only decreased strain on my wrists, shoulders, and elbows, but made me more productive. Sometimes, you can have your cake and eat it too. What makes sense to me is to offload the work of a mouse to the keyboard In desperation, I’ve tried all kinds of things like switching mouse hands and buying supposedly ergonomic mice. However, some believe that the mouse is particularly hazardous because of its poor design and need for precision. Its important to note that this post is secondary to good ergonomics Even if you’re young, longevity is something to think about if the keyboard is your sword 12 hours a day. Most are free and open-source.Īs a knowledge worker or keyboard warrior, most of my life exists between the four corners of a screen. Note: This post is aimed at macOS users, with some cross-OS tools.

Karabiner elements control click