# Dynamic macros: record and replay macros in runtime
QMK supports temporarily macros created on the fly. We call these Dynamic Macros. They are defined by the user from the keyboard and are lost when the keyboard is unplugged or otherwise rebooted.
You can store one or two macros and they may have a combined total of 128 keypresses. You can increase this size at the cost of RAM.
To enable them, first add a new element to the `planck_keycodes` enum — `DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE`:
```c
enum planck_keycodes {
QWERTY = SAFE_RANGE,
COLEMAK,
DVORAK,
PLOVER,
LOWER,
RAISE,
BACKLIT,
EXT_PLV,
DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE,
};
```
It must be the last element because `dynamic_macros.h` will add some more keycodes after it.
Below it include the `dynamic_macro.h` header:
```c
#include "dynamic_macro.h"`
```
Add the following keys to your keymap:
* `DYN_REC_START1` — start recording the macro 1,
* `DYN_REC_START2` — start recording the macro 2,
* `DYN_MACRO_PLAY1` — replay the macro 1,
* `DYN_MACRO_PLAY2` — replay the macro 2,
* `DYN_REC_STOP` — finish the macro that is currently being recorded.
Add the following code to the very beginning of your `process_record_user()` function:
```c
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(keycode, record)) {
return false;
}
```
That should be everything necessary. To start recording the macro, press either `DYN_REC_START1` or `DYN_REC_START2`. To finish the recording, press the `DYN_REC_STOP` layer button. To replay the macro, press either `DYN_MACRO_PLAY1` or `DYN_MACRO_PLAY2`.
Note that it's possible to replay a macro as part of a macro. It's ok to replay macro 2 while recording macro 1 and vice versa but never create recursive macros i.e. macro 1 that replays macro 1. If you do so and the keyboard will get unresponsive, unplug the keyboard and plug it again.
For users of the earlier versions of dynamic macros: It is still possible to finish the macro recording using just the layer modifier used to access the dynamic macro keys, without a dedicated `DYN_REC_STOP` key. If you want this behavior back, use the following snippet instead of the one above:
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(macro_kc, record)) {
return false;
}
```
If the LED's start blinking during the recording with each keypress, it means there is no more space for the macro in the macro buffer. To fit the macro in, either make the other macro shorter (they share the same buffer) or increase the buffer size by setting the `DYNAMIC_MACRO_SIZE` preprocessor macro (default value: 128; please read the comments for it in the header).
For the details about the internals of the dynamic macros, please read the comments in the `dynamic_macro.h` header.
This defines two macros which will be run when the key they are assigned to is pressed. If you'd like them to run when the release is released instead you can change the if statement:
This defines two macros which will be run when the key they are assigned to is pressed. If you'd like them to run when the release is released instead you can change the if statement:
@ -86,145 +86,73 @@ When you press the key on the left it will type "Hi!" and when you press the key
## Naming your macros
## Naming your macros
If you have a bunch of macros you want to refer to from your keymap, while keeping the keymap easily readable, you can name them using `#define` at the top of your file.
If you have a bunch of macros you want to refer to from your keymap while keeping the keymap easily readable you can name them using `#define` at the top of your file.
To get more control over the keys/actions your keyboard takes, the following functions are available to you in the `action_get_macro()` function block:
While working within the `action_get_macro()` function block there are some functions you may find useful. Keep in mind that while you can write some fairly advanced code within a macro if your functionality gets too complex you may want to define a custom keycode instead. Macros are meant to be simple.
### `record->event.pressed`
####`record->event.pressed`
This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed or released. An example of this is
This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed or released. An example of this is
```c
```c
if (record->event.pressed) {
if (record->event.pressed) {
// on keydown
// on keydown
} else {
} else {
// on keyup
// on keyup
}
}
```
```
### `register_code(<kc>);`
####`register_code(<kc>);`
This sends the `<kc>` keydown event to the computer. Some examples would be `KC_ESC`, `KC_C`, `KC_4`, and even modifiers such as `KC_LSFT` and `KC_LGUI`.
This sends the `<kc>` keydown event to the computer. Some examples would be `KC_ESC`, `KC_C`, `KC_4`, and even modifiers such as `KC_LSFT` and `KC_LGUI`.
### `unregister_code(<kc>);`
####`unregister_code(<kc>);`
Parallel to `register_code` function, this sends the `<kc>` keyup event to the computer. If you don't use this, the key will be held down until it's sent.
Parallel to `register_code` function, this sends the `<kc>` keyup event to the computer. If you don't use this, the key will be held down until it's sent.
### `layer_on(<n>);`
#### `clear_keyboard();`
This will turn on the layer `<n>` - the higher layer number will always take priority. Make sure you have `KC_TRNS` for the key you're pressing on the layer you're switching to, or you'll get stick there unless you have another plan.
### `layer_off(<n>);`
This will turn off the layer `<n>`.
### `clear_keyboard();`
This will clear all mods and keys currently pressed.
This will clear all mods and keys currently pressed.
### `clear_mods();`
#### `clear_mods();`
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
### `clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
#### `clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
# Advanced Example: Single-key copy/paste (hold to copy, tap to paste)
If the user attempts to activate layer 1 AND layer 2 at the same time (for example, by hitting their respective layer keys), layer 3 will be activated. Layers 1 and 2 will _also_ be activated, for the purposes of fallbacks (so a given key will fall back from 3 to 2, to 1 -- and only then to 0).
# Example: Single-key copy/paste (hold to copy, tap to paste)
With QMK, it's easy to make one key do two things, as long as one of those things is being a modifier. :) So if you want a key to act as Ctrl when held and send the letter R when tapped, that's easy: `CTL_T(KC_R)`. But what do you do when you want that key to send Ctrl-V (paste) when tapped, and Ctrl-C (copy) when held?
Here's what you do:
This example defines a macro which sends `Ctrl-C` when pressed down, and `Ctrl-V` when released.
To assign this macro to a key on your keyboard layout, you just use `M(0)` on the key you want to press for copy/paste.
# Dynamic macros: record and replay macros in runtime
In addition to the static macros described above, you may enable the dynamic macros which you may record while writing. They are forgotten as soon as the keyboard is unplugged. Only two such macros may be stored at the same time, with the total length of 64 keypresses (by default).
To enable them, first add a new element to the `planck_keycodes` enum — `DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE`:
enum planck_keycodes {
QWERTY = SAFE_RANGE,
COLEMAK,
DVORAK,
PLOVER,
LOWER,
RAISE,
BACKLIT,
EXT_PLV,
DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE,
};
It must be the last element because `dynamic_macros.h` will add some more keycodes after it.
Below it include the `dynamic_macro.h` header:
#include "dynamic_macro.h"`
Add the following keys to your keymap:
- `DYN_REC_START1` — start recording the macro 1,
- `DYN_REC_START2` — start recording the macro 2,
- `DYN_MACRO_PLAY1` — replay the macro 1,
- `DYN_MACRO_PLAY2` — replay the macro 2,
- `DYN_REC_STOP` — finish the macro that is currently being recorded.
Add the following code to the very beginning of your `process_record_user()` function:
```c
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(keycode, record)) {
return false;
}
```
That should be everything necessary. To start recording the macro, press either `DYN_REC_START1` or `DYN_REC_START2`. To finish the recording, press the `DYN_REC_STOP` layer button. To replay the macro, press either `DYN_MACRO_PLAY1` or `DYN_MACRO_PLAY2`.
Note that it's possible to replay a macro as part of a macro. It's ok to replay macro 2 while recording macro 1 and vice versa but never create recursive macros i.e. macro 1 that replays macro 1. If you do so and the keyboard will get unresponsive, unplug the keyboard and plug it again.
For users of the earlier versions of dynamic macros: It is still possible to finish the macro recording using just the layer modifier used to access the dynamic macro keys, without a dedicated `DYN_REC_STOP` key. If you want this behavior back, use the following snippet instead of the one above:
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(macro_kc, record)) {
return false;
}
```
If the LED's start blinking during the recording with each keypress, it means there is no more space for the macro in the macro buffer. To fit the macro in, either make the other macro shorter (they share the same buffer) or increase the buffer size by setting the `DYNAMIC_MACRO_SIZE` preprocessor macro (default value: 128; please read the comments for it in the header).
For the details about the internals of the dynamic macros, please read the comments in the `dynamic_macro.h` header.
skullY
8 years ago