Keyboard Maestro ​

Keyboard Maestro is essentially an IDE for automation. You create macros of actions that you can then easily call from Karabiner.

It has a wonderful community that is happy to help with whatever you are trying to achieve.

I share all the macros I use with the app.

I teach how I use KM deeply in my macOS automation course.

Notes ​

• It is always better to run compiled AppleScripts.
• Assert action. "If not condition, then fail". Useful for checking if you got right kind of data.
• You need to set ENV_PATH variable to make sure all your shell tools work in KM.
• You can read the full text of any error message in the Engine.log file (Help ➤ Open Logs Folder), and make sure (at least when testing or having problems) that the Execute Shell Script is configured to display the result in a window so you can see any error message.
• Keyboard Maestro converts any variables that start with ENV_ into environment variables when it launches sub-processes.
• defaults write com.stairways.keyboardmaestro.editor MouseGetCountdown -int 3 will change the timer for getting coordinates from 5 secs to 3.
• Can dismiss palettes with return key.
• Useful to sort macros by Date modified. Applies to most other tools too like Finder.
• The trick is to work incrementally. Find out how to successfully evaluate and display something atomic. And then gradually elaborate, layer upon layer.

Code ​

System Clipboard variable ​

%SystemClipboard%

Var as token ​

%Variable%%{left}{key:⌃L}

Var for shell ​

"$KMVAR_"{left}{key:⌃L}

Variable ​

%Variable%{^}%

Links ​

• How I manage my huge KM library
• KM forum - Great place to discuss all things related to KM.
• Best Macro List
• Automating KM editor
• 6 months in, what I wish I knew on day 1 with KM
• Exporting KM Macros with KM Macro
• Little Approach I use to quickly prototype new macros
• Simplicity vs Complexity
• KM Wiki (Quick Start)
• Keyboard Maestro Course
• From TextExpander to Keyboard Maestro… again (2021)
• Archiving and version control for Keyboard Maestro (2021)
• Design Maestro - Automate your design workflow.
• Alfred - Conductor for Keyboard Maestro
• How to use conflict palettes in Keyboard Maestro (2022)