Espanso expands configured text when a user types a matching keyword, across multiple platforms.
Open source
24 alternativesKanata
Kanata offers keyboard customization features intended to improve typing comfort and usability.
About Kanata
Kanata is a cross-platform software keyboard remapper for Linux, macOS and Windows. It uses configuration files to define multiple layers of key functionality and customize key behavior, including tap-hold actions, macros, and unicode input. Sample configuration files and an online simulator are provided to test configuration validity and input simulation.
It does not run as a background process by default and requires the starting window to remain open. On Linux and macOS it may need sudo permission to access keyboard input, and macOS also requires installation of the Karabiner driver.
Key features
- Multiple layers of key functionality
- Tap-hold key behavior customization
- Macro support for custom key actions
- Unicode input via configuration
- Define custom key names
- Online simulator to test configurations and input
Best for: People on Linux, macOS, or Windows who want to remap keys using text-based configuration files.
Good for
- Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Provides sample configuration files and pre-built binaries
- Includes an online simulator to check configurations
Watch out for
- Does not run as a background process by default
- May require sudo permission on Linux and macOS
- Requires Karabiner driver installation on macOS
Kanata at a glance
- Website
- github.com/jtroo/kanata
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Hardware & Diagnostics
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Kanata FAQ
Does Kanata run in the background?
No. The window that starts Kanata must stay open to keep it active.
What setup is needed on macOS?
Install the Karabiner driver following the releases page documentation; sudo may be needed to intercept the keyboard.
How can Kanata be installed?
Download pre-built binaries from the releases page or build it with the Rust stable toolchain using cargo.
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