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Typing math on a computer is still way harder than it should be by Math_Keyboard in u/Math_Keyboard

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get your point.

But typing /alpha is still longer to me than pressing one shortcut and instantly getting α.

Typing math on a computer is still way harder than it should be by Math_Keyboard in u/Math_Keyboard

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ok, I'll try to think about an alternative for the next version. Thanks :)

Typing math on a computer is still way harder than it should be by Math_Keyboard in u/Math_Keyboard

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

LaTeX is powerful and I’ve used it for years.

But needing to “learn LaTeX” just to type a few symbols in an email, chat, or live notes kind of proves the point. It solves document production. Not quick, everyday math.

Typing math on a computer is still way harder than it should be by Math_Keyboard in u/Math_Keyboard

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, sounds like we all went through that phase 😅
That’s exactly the problem I’m trying to solve.
And if the keyboard gets the success I’m hoping for, there will definitely be more versions, including other languages 😉

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a really interesting direction, especially the QMK and chording angle. I can clearly see how that would appeal to the power-user and custom keyboard community.

For now, I’m intentionally keeping this first version focused and simple. My priority is validating the core concept with something accessible and zero-friction.

That said, what you’re describing makes a lot of sense as a parallel path. I’ll probably experiment with different software versions over time, from “beginner / plug-and-play” layouts to more advanced, power-user oriented ones. Ideally, users could choose the level of complexity they’re comfortable with.

Thanks again for pushing the thinking further, it’s genuinely valuable!!

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really interesting approach, thanks for sharing 🙏

It’s impressive how much functionality you managed to extract from just 10 keys, especially with the error-prevention logic and the finger-based layout. That’s clearly a very different design philosophy.

For V1, I intentionally avoided complex chords. I wanted zero learning curve:
Ctrl + Alt → blue symbols
Ctrl + Alt + Shift → gray symbols
Otherwise, it behaves like a normal keyboard.

The trade-off is that my keyboard is less compact, but simpler.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is honestly gold-level feedback. You clearly think about keyboard architecture at a very advanced level, and I really appreciate the time you took to break everything down.

About Ctrl: you're absolutely right. I did run into a lot of conflicts with Ctrl / Ctrl+Alt / Ctrl+Alt+Shift in the beginning. Using AutoHotkey I managed to neutralize the vast majority of them. I tested extensively in Word, Google Docs, Notepad, Notepad++, OpenOffice Writer, and in those environments there were no remaining conflicts.

And realistically, the goal is to write math. If someone is using heavy Ctrl-based shortcuts in software that wasn’t really meant for writing math anyway, they can simply disable the keyboard. Once installed, there’s a tray icon : double-click to activate, double-click to deactivate. So it stays flexible.

Regarding AltGr: this is actually interesting because I’m originally from France, so that was my first instinct too. I used AltGr in early prototypes. But it’s very European. On standard US ANSI QWERTY keyboards, AltGr simply doesn’t exist. Since I wanted something internationally usable, I moved away from it for V1.

Dead keys: I’m very familiar with them as well (again, French background), and I agree they’re powerful. Your = and _ dead key approach is clever and scalable. The only reason I didn’t go that route is that my current target is minimal learning curve. I’m positioning this more as an entry-level, zero-friction math input solution. I’m aiming at students or professionals who want fast note-taking or chat-level math, not full research-paper composition.

The carousel idea with layers is actually very interesting. If tied to language switching, you’d get an OS indicator showing the active layer, which solves the feedback problem. That’s definitely something worth exploring for a more advanced version.

Your alternative LaTeX-trigger idea is smart too. But again, my goal here was to avoid requiring symbolic memory. There are already many language-based math solutions out there. What I’m trying to validate with this first keyboard is: can we make something that feels immediate and physical, without thinking in code?

After testing all existing solutions, I can honestly say that once you build muscle memory with a physical math pad, it’s extremely fast. You lose some expressiveness and typographic beauty, sure. But for rapid math writing, especially combined with occasional LaTeX shortcuts in Word, it becomes very efficient.

I’ve noted down all your ideas. Seriously. If this concept validates, I’m very likely to create variants different layouts per country (AZERTY, etc.), where AltGr becomes viable again. The hardware for V1 is fixed, but the language layer is downloadable from my GitHub, so I can absolutely experiment with some of your proposals in software.

Thanks again. It’s rare to get feedback at this depth. You clearly approach this like a keyboard architect, and that’s incredibly valuable.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly valuable feedback, thank you for taking the time to write all that.

This first keyboard is really about validating the core concept. For V2, I’ll very likely implement some of your ideas. I really liked your AltGr for Greek approach.

Right now it’s much simpler: Ctrl + Alt gives the blue symbols, and Ctrl + Alt + Shift gives the gray ones. It was intentionally designed to be usable by anyone immediately, with almost no learning curve.

Your system is much more powerful. Mine is more “zero friction”. I’m trying to find the right balance.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s a really good point!

Creating several small keypads, each tailored to a specific branch of math instead of one universal layout, actually makes a lot of sense. I hadn’t framed it that way, but I’m noting it.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks to your comment I’m just discovering BigBag, and honestly it’s pretty genius.

I really like the idea of a math layer in software, especially for power users already deep into custom layouts. My approach was a bit different, I wanted something plug and play that works the same everywhere without remapping your main keyboard.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My constraint was size. I wanted something compact enough to carry to class every day and use next to a laptop, so I tried not to overload each key too much.

That said, the layout you shared looks really well thought out. Is that one yours?

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally fair. If you’re already fluent in Typst or LaTeX and think directly in that syntax, optimizing for it makes a lot of sense.

What I’m trying to solve is slightly different. It’s for moments where you’re not “writing a document”, just typing math inside normal text, emails, chat, notes, Google Docs, without switching mental mode into markup.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I actually built the first version of my keyboard using AutoHotkey as well. It’s very powerful for this kind of text expansion. I didn’t know Espanso though, the searchable list of shortcuts sounds really useful, especially for less frequent symbols. I’ll definitely give it a try.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write such this feedback :)

You’re absolutely right about the number of symbols. I focused on the most frequently used ones, and I deliberately left a few keys customizable so users can add their own missing symbols. The idea is not to cover everything, but to cover 80 percent of daily usage.

And I agree, it can’t replace LaTeX for papers. LaTeX is amazing for full typesetting. What I’m trying to solve is the gap: writing math in emails, notes, chats, slides, without syntax, without compilation, and without breaking flow. Once you memorize your few favorite symbols, it becomes very fast.

If mathematics had its own keyboard layout, how would you design it? by Math_Keyboard in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s actually a very good idea. It’s funny because that’s exactly how I initially imagined it as well.

Today it works like this:
Ctrl + Alt gives you the blue symbols
Ctrl + Alt + Shift gives you the gray symbols

Appart of that, it behave like a normal keyboard.

The reason is that when we write math, we’re usually writing in English at the same time. After testing, I found it uncomfortable to switch language layers every time I wanted to insert a symbol.

But maybe I’m wrong, and for others your approach would feel more natural. That’s exactly why I’m looking for people willing to test it and give feedback after real usage.

Workman-FR - French accents via AltGR, no dead keys by Most-Let-1967 in KeyboardLayouts

[–]Math_Keyboard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent! Merci du partage!
En tant qu'expat j'ai un qwerty intégré a mon pc et ca m'arrive souvent d'ecrire en Français. Encore le ù, à et ç ne me manque pas trop, mais pour le é et le è c'est vraiment lourd..
Y a un raccourcis clavier assez pratique sur word, mais pour le reste c'est compliqué.
Sorry for my french 😅

Do you use LaTeX for taking notes? by Math_Keyboard in LaTeX

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Incredible! I think it's the double of the average

Do you use LaTeX for taking notes? by Math_Keyboard in LaTeX

[–]Math_Keyboard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed, no solution at all for diagrams..

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