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The Ultimate Guide to Keyboard Layers
  • Overview
  • Ch 1: Keyboard Layers 101
    • 1.1 Keyboard Fundamentals
    • 1.2 Why Use Layers
    • 1.3 Layer Challenges
  • Ch 2: Setup
    • 2.1 Keyboards
    • 2.2 Firmware
    • 2.3 Independent Software
  • Ch 3: Layer Activators
    • 3.1 Modifier Layers
    • 3.2 Momentary Layers
    • 3.3 Toggle Layers
    • 3.4 One Shot Layers
    • 3.5 Dual Layers
    • 3.6 Tap Dance / Superkeys
  • Ch 4: Creating Layers
    • 4.1 Planning Layers
    • 4.2 Implementing Layers
  • Ch 5: Advance Layer Patterns
    • 5.1 Key Functionality Across Layers
    • 5.2 Color Coding Keys
    • 5.3 Thumb Keys
    • 5.4 Nesting Layers
    • 5.5 Categorizing Layers
  • Ch 6: Layer Examples
    • Layers
      • Default Layer
      • Shift Layer
      • Numpad Layer
      • Symbols Layer
      • Editing & Navigating Layer
      • Media Layer
      • Mouse Layer
      • Screen Management Layer
      • Context Control / Macro Layer
      • Browser Layer
      • VS Code Layer
      • Discord Layer
      • Slack Layer
      • Gaming Layer
  • Timeline
    • Keyboard Timeline
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  1. Ch 5: Advance Layer Patterns

5.3 Thumb Keys

Previous5.2 Color Coding KeysNext5.4 Nesting Layers

Last updated 2 years ago

I decided to write a section on thumb keys because of how important thumb keys are in enabling layers. If you don't use thumb keys, then you have to resort to a layer like the shift key or the other modifier keys. If you hold down one of those keys, then you have to bend your wrist making it less ergonomical. And because the thumb or pinky has to be held down, this creates a restriction in motion making keys like T harder to press.

Even if you have 10 thumb keys, this does not mean they are all usable. Each user will find some thumb keys more comfortable than others. There are also multiple points of contact on the thumb unlike the other fingers when' pressing a key. Below I show how I use my thumb to hit a key with the side of my thumb, the tip of the thumb and the midpoint area of my thumb.

Note, the tip of the thumb is the least comfortable key for me to hit, that is why I assign the least important role to that key

Side of thumb activating shift layer
side of thumb activating editing/navigating layer
tip of the thumb activating alt modifier layer
thumb near knuckle activating application layer