# keyd 19 Hacker News commenters recommended keyd and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule. **Verdict:** Recommended as an easy-to-configure Linux key remapper that works on the virtual terminal, for Caps Lock tricks and macOS-style layouts. Caveat: a broad device mask can grab the touchpad too. ## Why people recommend it - Easy to configure and get going (2 comments): "it seems to do everything I need and is easy to get going without any fuss" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48513778)) "finding keyd was a godsend on Linux" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48514592)) - Reclaims the Copilot key (2 comments): "There are also reports of people having decent results using keyd to remap the synthetic keystrokes from the copilot button." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46556013)) "I have been able to reclaim my Copilot key with keyd" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49865174)) - Mac-style bindings on Linux (2 comments): "I now remap all Linux (using keyd) to actually use the Mac layout." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46803049)) "I use it to have mac-style bindings" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48515191)) - Caps Lock as Esc or Ctrl (2 comments): "Caps Lock acting as Esc if used on its own or as Ctrl if it's held down." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45787611)) "To turn it back into a ctrl key" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46547233)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Karabiner-Elements](https://hackerapproved.com/p/karabiner-elements.md): 55 recommend - [BetterTouchTool](https://hackerapproved.com/p/bettertouchtool.md): 25 recommend - [Toshy](https://hackerapproved.com/p/toshy.md): 6 recommend - [Kanata](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kanata.md): 5 recommend ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "keyd", https://hackerapproved.com/p/keyd/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).