# 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.
All of these functions are available in the `*_kb()` or `*_user()` variety. `kb` ones should only be used in the `<keyboard>/<keyboard>.c` file, and `user` ones should only be used in the `keymap.c`. The keyboard ones call the user ones - it's necessary to keep these calls to allow the keymap functions to work correctly.
This function gets called at every matrix scan, which is basically as often as the MCU can handle. Be careful what you put here, as it will get run a lot.
This function gets called on every keypress/release, and is where you can define custom functionality. The return value is whether or not QMK should continue processing the keycode - returning `false` stops the execution.
The `keycode` variable is whatever is defined in your keymap, eg `MO(1)`, `KC_L`, etc. and can be switch-cased to execute code whenever a particular code is pressed.
The `record` variable contains infomation about the actual press:
```
keyrecord_t record {
keyevent_t event {
keypos_t key {
uint8_t col
uint8_t row
}
bool pressed
uint16_t time
}
}
```
The conditional `if (record->event.pressed)` can tell if the key is being pressed or released, and you can execute code based on that.
This gets called whenever there is a state change on your host LEDs \(eg caps lock, scroll lock, etc\). The LEDs are defined as:
```
#define USB_LED_NUM_LOCK 0
#define USB_LED_CAPS_LOCK 1
#define USB_LED_SCROLL_LOCK 2
#define USB_LED_COMPOSE 3
#define USB_LED_KANA 4
```
and can be tested against the `usb_led` with a conditional like `if (usb_led & (1<<USB_LED_CAPS_LOCK))` - if this is true, you can turn your LED on, otherwise turn it off.
# Macro shortcuts: Send a whole string when pressing just one key
# Macros - Send multiple keystrokes when pressing just one key
Instead of using the `ACTION_MACRO` function, you can simply use `M(n)` to access macro *n* - *n* will get passed into the `action_get_macro` as the `id`, and you can use a switch statement to trigger it. This gets called on the keydown and keyup, so you'll need to use an if statement testing `record->event.pressed` (see keymap_default.c).
QMK has a number of ways to define and use macros. These can do anything you want- type common phrases for you, copypasta, repetitive game movements, or even help you code.
**Security Note**: While it is possible to use macros to send passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information it is a supremely bad idea to do so. Anyone who gets ahold of your keyboard will be able to access that information by opening a text editor.
# Macro Definitions
By default QMK assumes you don't have any macros. To define your macros you create an `action_get_macro()` function. For example:
```c
const macro_t *action_get_macro(keyrecord_t *record, uint8_t id, uint8_t opt) // this is the function signature -- just copy/paste it into your keymap file as it is.
{
switch(id) {
case 0: // this would trigger when you hit a key mapped as M(0)
if (record->event.pressed) {
return MACRO( I(255), T(H), T(E), T(L), T(L), W(255), T(O), END ); // this sends the string 'hello' when the macro executes
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:
```c
if (!record->event.pressed) {
```
## Macro Commands
A macro can include the following commands:
* I() change interval of stroke in milliseconds.
@ -24,192 +39,120 @@ A macro can include the following commands:
* W() wait (milliseconds).
* END end mark.
So above you can see the stroke interval changed to 255ms between each keystroke, then a bunch of keys being typed, waits a while, then the macro ends.
Note: Using macros to have your keyboard send passwords for you is possible, but a bad idea.
## Advanced macro functions
## Sending strings
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:
Sometimes you just want a key to type out words or phrases. For the most common situations we've provided `SEND_STRING()`, which will type out your string for you instead of having to build a `MACRO()`. Right now it assumes a US keymap with a QWERTY layout, so if you are using something else it may not behave as you expect.
* `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 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>);`
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>);`
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.
* `clear_mods();`
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
* `clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
## Mapping a Macro to a key
* `update_tri_layer(layer_1, layer_2, layer_3);`
Use the `M()` function within your `KEYMAP()` to call a macro. For example, here is the keymap for a 2-key keyboard:
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).
### 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 just name them like so:
As was done on the [Planck default keymap](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/planck/keymaps/default/keymap.c#L33-L40)
When you press the key on the left it will type "Hi!" and when you press the key on the right it will type "Bye!".
#### Timer functionality
## Naming your macros
It's possible to start timers and read values for time-specific events - here's an example:
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.
```c
static uint16_t key_timer;
key_timer = timer_read();
if (timer_elapsed(key_timer) <100){
// do something if less than 100ms have passed
} else {
// do something if 100ms or more have passed
}
```
It's best to declare the `static uint16_t key_timer;` outside of the macro block (top of file, etc).
### 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?
And then, 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
# Advanced macro functions
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).
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.
To enable them, first add a new element to the `planck_keycodes` enum — `DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE`:
#### `record->event.pressed`
enum planck_keycodes {
QWERTY = SAFE_RANGE,
COLEMAK,
DVORAK,
PLOVER,
LOWER,
RAISE,
BACKLIT,
EXT_PLV,
DYNAMIC_MACRO_RANGE,
};
This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed or released. An example of this is
It must be the last element because `dynamic_macros.h` will add some more keycodes after it.
```c
if (record->event.pressed) {
// on keydown
} else {
// on keyup
}
```
Below it include the `dynamic_macro.h` header:
#### `register_code(<kc>);`
#include "dynamic_macro.h"`
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`.
Add the following keys to your keymap:
#### `unregister_code(<kc>);`
- `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.
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.
Add the following code to the very beginning of your `process_record_user()` function:
#### `clear_keyboard();`
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(keycode, record)) {
return false;
}
This will clear all mods and keys currently pressed.
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`.
#### `clear_mods();`
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.
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
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;
}
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
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).
# Advanced Example: Single-key copy/paste (hold to copy, tap to paste)
For the details about the internals of the dynamic macros, please read the comments in the `dynamic_macro.h` header.
This example defines a macro which sends `Ctrl-C` when pressed down, and `Ctrl-V` when released.
# Sending strings
Some people want to have a password or some text on a key. This is possible without having to do every key individually using `SEND_STRING("<text>");`. Note the caps, because `send_string("<text>");` does something else. For example:
```c
const macro_t *action_get_macro(keyrecord_t *record, uint8_t id, uint8_t opt) // this is the function signature -- just copy/paste it into your keymap file as it is.
{
switch(id) {
case 0: // this would trigger when you hit a key mapped as M(0)
if (record->event.pressed) {
SEND_STRING("QMK is the best thing ever!"); // This would type "QMK is the best thing ever!" (without quotation marks).
return false; // This is false because it has to return something.
Jack Humbert
8 years ago
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