MacOS HammerSpoon config for brightness / volume / etc keys on win keyboard

init.lua

-- arr to track timers for repeating keys
local repeatTimers = {}

-- function to start repeating an action
local function startRepeating(key, action)
    -- run action immediately on press
    action()
    -- if already running, skip
    if repeatTimers[key] then return end
    -- Start repeating every 0.1  seconds
    repeatTimers[key] = hs.timer.new(0.1, function()
        action()
    end)
    repeatTimers[key]:start()
end 

-- Function to stop repeating an action
local function stopRepeating(key)
    if repeatTimers[key] then
        repeatTimers[key]:stop()
        repeatTimers[key] = nil
    end
end

-- Function to press system keys (brightness, volume, media, etc.)
local function pressSystemKey(key)
    hs.eventtap.event.newSystemKeyEvent(key, true):post()
    hs.eventtap.event.newSystemKeyEvent(key, false):post()
end

-- Function to type text
local function typeText(text)
    hs.eventtap.keyStrokes(text)
end

-- Key bindings (F1–F7)
local keyBindings = {
    {key = "f1", action = function() pressSystemKey("BRIGHTNESS_DOWN") end}, -- 144
    {key = "f2", action = function() pressSystemKey("BRIGHTNESS_UP") end}, -- 145
    {key = "f3", action = function() pressSystemKey("SOUND_DOWN") end},
    {key = "f4", action = function() pressSystemKey("SOUND_UP") end},
    {key = "f5", action = function() pressSystemKey("PLAY") end},
    {key = "f6", action = function() pressSystemKey("PREVIOUS") end},
    {key = "f7", action = function() pressSystemKey("NEXT") end},
}

-- Bind F1–F7 keys
for _, binding in ipairs(keyBindings) do
    hs.hotkey.bind({}, binding.key,
        function() startRepeating(binding.key, binding.action) end,
        function() stopRepeating(binding.key) end
    )
end

-- Bind Insert key (keycode 114) to copy password to clipboard -- modals only
local insertPassword = "pwd123"
local insertEvent = hs.eventtap.new({hs.eventtap.event.types.keyDown}, function(event)
    if event:getKeyCode() == 114 then
        hs.pasteboard.setContents(insertPassword)
        hs.alert.show("pwd copied to clipboard")
        return true  -- block original Insert behavior
    end
    return false
end)
insertEvent:start()


-- Remap backslash "\" key to Enter/Return
-- Fast remap: "\" → Enter
local tap = hs.eventtap.new({hs.eventtap.event.types.keyDown, hs.eventtap.event.types.keyUp}, function(e)
    if e:getKeyCode() == hs.keycodes.map["\\"] then
        -- Replace with Return key event at the same phase (down or up)
        local isDown = (e:getType() == hs.eventtap.event.types.keyDown)
        hs.eventtap.event.newKeyEvent({}, "return", isDown):post()
        return true  -- block original "\"
    end
    return false
end)

tap:start()