Menu key as additional Windows key with Kb options

Trying to get a “Super” key on the right side of my keyboard.

The problem #

The Hyprland tiling Wayland compositor uses the Windows key as a part of most of its keyboard commands. The Windows key is referred to as the “Super” key. E.g., to the command to switch to a new workspace is “Super + <workspace number>”. The positioning of the Windows key on my keyboard (most keyboards(?)) leads to some awkward hand movements. To fix the issue, I want to add an additional Windows key on the right side of the keyboard.

Configuring the Menu key to act as an additional Windows key #

On (most (?)) Linux systems, use XKB (X Keyboard Extension) to handle keyboard layouts: The XKB Configuration Guide . It defines mappings between keys and characters/actions.

Hyprland kb_options setting #

Hyprland exposes the XKB XkbOptions setting through its “Input” variables configuration: https://wiki.hypr.land/Configuring/Variables/#input . Here’s how I configured Hyprland to use the “Menu” key as an additional “Windows” key:

input {
  # ...

  # This literally swaps the alt and windows keys!
  # kb_options = altwin:swap_alt_win

  # Make the Menu key an additional Windows key
  kb_options = altwin:menu_win

  # ...
}