Variables
Named values that bindings set and conditions read, such as a Vim mode.
A variable is a named Karabiner variable with a fixed type. Bindings set it, and conditions read it, so one key can change what other keys do without entering a layer. Vim’s insert, normal, and visual modes are the classic case.
Types
New variable on the Variables page offers:
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Enum | One of a list of named values, such as insert, normal, visual |
| Boolean | On or off |
| Number | A number, such as a counter |
| String | Text |
| Custom | A raw Karabiner variable you name yourself |
A variable is stored in Karabiner as vimputer.state.<id>. The page shows each
variable’s values and default, the bindings that set it, and the bindings and layers
it gates.
Setting and reading
- To set one, bind Switch mode (under Layers & modes in the action picker): Set to a value, Toggle a boolean or two-value enum, or Unset.
- To read one, add a State condition to a binding’s Only when, or to a layer’s Active when.
Modal layers don’t use variables. They share one register, vimputer.layer, which
the page lists separately. For variables that aren’t Vimputer’s, use Set
variable and the Variable condition under Advanced.