keyd

keyd [options] [command]

keyd is a key remapping daemon that operates at the kernel level using evdev. It allows remapping keys system-wide, independent of the display server (works with X11, Wayland, and virtual consoles).
Configuration files in /etc/keyd/ define key mappings, layers, and macros. The daemon intercepts input events and transforms them according to the configuration before passing them to applications. Features include layering, oneshot modifiers, and macros.

monitor [-t]

Display keypress information in real-time. If -t is supplied, also prints time since the last event in milliseconds.

Print layer state changes of the running keyd daemon to stdout. Useful for scripting.

Reset bindings and reload configuration from /etc/keyd.

Display all valid key names.

Apply the supplied key bindings, or reset all bindings.

Input the supplied text as keyboard events. If no arguments are given, read from stdin. Timeout in microseconds sets delay between emitted events.

Print the current version and exit.

Print help and exit.

Requires root privileges for most operations. Configuration changes require a reload via `keyd reload`. Works at a lower level than X11 keymaps, so remappings apply everywhere including virtual consoles.

keyd was developed as a modern, simple key remapping solution that works universally across display servers. It provides functionality similar to tools like xmodmap but operates at the kernel input level.

xmodmap(1), setxkbmap(1), evtest(1), systemctl(1)