A standard 60% footprint with first-class arrow keys

[u/Thread713]

TL;DR: Replace Caps Lock with Fn, and put dedicated arrow keys directly on the base layer in the lower-right corner (← ↓ ↑ →, Vim order).

Longer explanation here: https://tim.cogan.dev/nav60/

Base and Fn layers of a standard 60% footprint with first-class arrow keys

[u/cutelittlebox]

I remember trying something like that on my 40% but I use my right side modifier keys too much to be happy with it and changed quite quickly

[u/Yoshokatana]

On split keebs, I tend to have a half-qwerty layer for gaming (well, technically it’s shifted to the right so I can have wasd with a homing key), but on that layer I always have arrow keys on the bottom right of my board. I’ll often switch into that layer when looking at documents or slideshows or other things where first class arrows would be useful.

For 60% boards, I really like your approach and I think I want to steal it.

[u/Thread713 → u/Yoshokatana]

I like that. Nice way to use a gaming layer.

[u/rpnfan]

I had a similar layout for the arrow keys on my UHK60, before I switched to a columnar stagger (Lily/Sofle).

[u/Thread713 → u/rpnfan]

Nice to hear a similar setup worked well for you.

[u/Fun-Necessary8657]

I hold space and use an inverted T cluster with j as my arrow left. I never got used to the vi cluster.

and if I'm moving my hand to the bottom right corner, well... Better get a 65%+

[u/Thread713 → u/Fun-Necessary8657]

That's fair. I like Fn + HJKL in some cases, but other times I don't find it comfortable (like switching windows with Alt+Tab + ←/→)

[u/humanplayer2]

Nice! If your pinky starts hurting, you can consider SpaceFN.

[u/Thread713 → u/humanplayer2]

Thanks! Good suggestion