Ideas for Vial as submitted to our Feature Upvote board. Ideas are ordered by 'new' and the 50 top matches are included. pr_a5pnx4kigevnt1k 2023-04-04T10:17:21Z sug_hqwftudvw7ycndy 2026-02-27T11:59:46Z 2026-03-02T02:01:11Z using foostan Corne 4 trying to set a key to (@) vial gives out (Lsft + 2) which comes out as ("). Actually multiple special characters (@{}~) don't have any way to be given out correctly. Some of the characters have other ways to be given out correctly but using the shown input (see attached PNG) they dont work as expeccted. sug_laekfffggjcuent 2026-02-02T08:43:24Z 2026-02-09T02:43:33Z Support QMK speculative hold. Having mod keys held speculatively helps with multi-device input, ex. distinct mouse and keyboard. If an interaction requires a modded mouse input, like shift+left click in GIMP to draw a straight line, or Alt+left drag to move a window, and the mod key is mapped to a dual function key, speculative hold makes the mouse behave as expected instead of making an unmodded click by accident, undoing, and repressing the mod key and awkwardly waiting for the hold timeout. sug_vpcapbcjivzoyni 2026-02-08T10:04:31Z 2026-02-09T02:43:32Z It would be great to have the option to set the ISO/JIS tab as the default "basic" layer. This would be nice for two reasons: 1. The ANSI basic layout doesn't have the KC_NONUS_BSLASH and KC_NONUS_HASH keys, so if the keyboard layout in use relies on this key (e.g. colemak dh iso puts the Z key on KC_NONUS_BSLASH) in can be frustrating having to switch the tab. It's also easier to find the keys when their positions match the layout you are used to. 2. The Vial GUI defaults to the basic tab whenever you click on a key with special tap/hold behavior (e.g. LT(KC), LCtl_T(KC), etc.), so being able to set the "Basic" tab to either ANSI or ISO would reduce the number of clicks. sug_qpsgsbowf4b0to9 2025-12-30T00:36:00Z 2026-01-05T04:00:36Z I hope there can be a feature similar to the menus parsing in via, allowing users to add settings UI for new keyboard functions, which would greatly enhance the extensibility of the keyboard. I also hope that the vial software can add i18n internationalization. sug_yzgm7xhzettnkbu 2025-12-07T02:12:16Z 2025-12-08T02:37:14Z I think it would be neat if VIAL could update on its own or let me know "there is a new update available, would you like to download?" and have it install itself automatically. sug_yxqpwjnvnmgedyf 2025-11-19T02:26:24Z 2025-11-24T06:20:52Z As of right now, there's no way to natively add dip/direct switches in vial. The workaround I was able to figure out was using a "normal matrix", but using a dead column/row for vial to be able to identify the switches, though I don't know how it would work with larger boards that have an encoder with a button connected via direct pin for example, or other special inputs that have a button press. sug_c9nqprh9kakuqvu 2025-11-10T05:42:39Z 2025-11-17T02:50:43Z I want to make modifier keys such as shift/control/alt have a toggle behavior, like caps lock, on tap. If you hold them, they are only active for as long as you are holding them, but if you tap them, they become toggled on indefinitely until you tap them again to toggle them off. This differs from one-shot-modifiers in that the modifier will continue being active for every future key stroke. I'm trying to solve the problem of selecting text while navigating (by word) with arrow keys. In most applications: - `shift` + `right` = expand text selection to the right - `ctrl` + `right` = jump to end of word for faster navigation However, I don't have enough thumbs to do both. I have a momentary layer key which turns my JIKL into arrow keys, and after pressing it I have only 1 thumb left to choose between pressing `shift` or `ctrl`. The solution to this is simple: make shift have toggle behavior. I can then tap shift on, hold my nav_arrows+ctrl to expand the selection, then shift off. sug_umiwjfbt7jombpg 2025-11-07T08:34:46Z 2025-11-10T04:20:45Z Add ability to add and remove layers to keymap in GUI. sug_jb7gei0utf06olu 2025-10-09T06:55:25Z 2025-10-13T03:04:19Z When defining a new macro / tapdance one must click through all to find s free slot. Would be great if e.g. a color differentiation on the list of possible ids would hint defined / free slots sug_joxenmqkhlflu9c 2025-09-29T18:28:54Z 2025-10-06T02:06:41Z Provide ability to configure vial tap dance in initial key map. I can declare td(0) in my keymap.c but it appears that I cannot set the tap, hold, etc attributes and then have to go into the Vial GUI to do so. This is confusing and inconsistent. sug_csl3gim2k8o5oqg 2025-09-29T11:05:32Z 2025-10-06T02:06:42Z I have full layouts just composed full of TDX and MX. Looking up what is what and changing this is quite cumbersome, especially when the tap dance keys also use macros within. I constantly jump between keymap-layer, tap dance, and macro tabs back and forth and cycle the definitions within. It would be very helpful to show the current definition of a tap dance / macro when hovering over them. Ideally resolving the full chain for also seeing the macro definition within a tap-dance key sug_bcids9uhb9ssb8c 2025-09-14T00:04:51Z 2025-09-15T02:35:07Z When adding macros on Vial to a JIS keyboard, it does not output punctuation properly. I do not know if there is a workaround, but it dampens the utility of macros greatly. for example, if you put a colon in a macro, when pressing that macro, a colon will not come out, and instead a + will. sug_37d6xklnnefjwbn 2025-09-08T12:05:16Z 2025-09-15T02:35:09Z A cosmetic change but something that I feel something that people would want sug_psituamwygil0sr 2025-07-31T04:30:18Z 2025-08-04T04:01:53Z Add the ability to comment on the layout. For example, using a separate text file in the following format: layer:key: "comment" Also, add the ability to comment on the entire layer. sug_pnh2ycfdbsz7ets 2025-05-24T06:46:40Z 2025-05-26T02:54:55Z I think it would benefit the usability of the VIAL GUI were it possible to select multiple keys to remap. For example, allowing the selection of a whole row of keys to remap to transparent for a layer. It can be a little annoying having to repeatedly click to remap to the same key. I know that VIAL auto-selects the next key in a row, but sometimes there are situations where you want to apply a mapping to multiple non-sequential keys. Ideally this would work by holding CTRL to select multiple keys, and left clicking without CTRL would deselect everything else, similar to how it works in most programs. Keyboard Layout Editor is probably the most similar example. Maybe a drag to select feature would work too, similar to KLE, although I understand that might take a lot of extra effort to implement. Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion. sug_zjnfjgnw6q5x7yw 2025-03-30T13:57:05Z 2025-03-31T02:56:02Z I found that when recording macros with VIAL, you cannot record delay at the same time. You need to add delay instructions manually, which is annoying. And VIAL does not support setting the number of macro loops, or infinite loops. I hope these bugs can be fixed. sug_jxgnwhldaag53ji 2025-03-14T16:34:01Z 2025-03-17T03:15:09Z per title. allow V3 protocol support. sug_kh4hdzkul2geggv 2025-02-26T20:05:57Z 2025-03-03T02:42:25Z Currently only Intel x86 binaries are provided which will not run on recent Apple computers without the Rosetta emulation software installed. sug_kntbiz5m77n1mo0 2025-02-21T21:37:05Z 2025-02-24T02:36:12Z when I switch layers I would like the color of my keyboard to change. this does not seem to be an option sug_85fde0sba7q8hku 2025-02-21T21:36:01Z 2025-03-03T02:42:25Z For some reason when putting a layer inside a macro it does not work. sug_nx6ngfzyfq02h4a 2025-02-15T18:14:04Z 2025-02-17T08:34:54Z Hi there, I wish I can see an Arabic language layout soon on Vial. Arabic language has 28 letters and Tashkeel is something else! You may look it up if you're curious! I am new to ergonomic keyboards in general, and the first step for me was Corne v4, which runs on Vial. It's been amazing what I can do with the keyboard and how comfortable could it be! But since nothing in this world is an infinite happy story, I came across the issue I mentioned above. Arabic is my mother tongue, and it has 28 letters and other symbols that may change the words meanings (Please check the attachment). I hope I can see an Arabic Layout in Vial, actually, I don't know if there is a team working on it, I know very little about GitHub and the open-source thing, and I am making my way through programming (Just beginning!). But if this is a project, I'd love to help, really! It'll make me learn faster. Thank you all! Regards, Yzn sug_4hhztjhgk9fe3ga 2025-01-31T08:13:55Z 2025-02-03T05:42:40Z Hello! It would be nice to have all the mac specific symbols/names in the editor. For example, Command instead of left/right GUI, Option instead of left/right ALT and so on. This should probably be independent of the keyboard layout/language selection. sug_n6ry0lvg7ws18o4 2025-01-17T20:44:28Z 2025-01-20T04:42:27Z I have recently acquired a VIAL adapter from Epomaker. When transitioning from software based solutions like keyd and Kanata I have struggled to achieve the same level of precision my home row modifiers implementation has using the aforementioned tools. The QMK and VIAL communities have attempted to address this with libraries like Achordion. But I think HRMs, being such a widely adopted pattern, should have a first class, out-of-the-box useable implementation. Typing streaks, bilateral combinations and repeat-on-timeout are some of the improvements I believe are missing. In essence, I don't think we should settle with users having to adapt to the current limitations and significantly change their natural way of typing to benefit from HRMs. sug_wqpv7wytcora2x6 2024-12-10T09:04:41Z 2025-01-20T04:42:27Z please add "bilateral combinations" which allow to use home row mods only on the opposite hand. https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/pull/17715 https://sunaku.github.io/home-row-mods.html sug_v67b2o6rbst0fdd 2024-11-30T07:22:32Z 2024-12-02T03:38:03Z You can take a look at my branching code.：https://github.com/KeyDreamLin/qmk_firmware This is just a serial port to wireless chip。 Currently, dual mode is supported。 If you need a sample of my wireless chip. You can contact me。 I am very eager to make vial support wireless, and wireless modification keycode! I can assist vial members in porting serial protocols. sug_rj7rz2x0fu7ejvm 2024-11-14T02:41:14Z 2024-12-02T03:38:03Z It's useful to have a feature that monitors the active window and automatically switches to the appropriate key layer. A device called TourBox has this feature. sug_qbdapwwkbmldyjg 2024-11-14T02:33:11Z 2024-12-02T03:38:03Z Even if I set a custom key code in the Replacement of Key Overrides, it doesn't work. Is this a specification of QMK Firmware? sug_mv7smmev8bqqrlz 2024-11-08T13:04:57Z 2024-11-11T04:45:59Z Currently when trying to use Matrix tester you have to unlock the keyboard (Which is good!) But the keyboard may not function correctly yet, as that's what you want to use the matrix tester for. If one of the unlock buttons for example doesn't work there is no way to cancel the unlock operation and you have to force close the application using task manager or similar. I feel like a cancel button could solve this easily. sug_lctmbq5eywvil9b 2024-08-24T00:42:01Z 2024-08-26T02:09:15Z I would like to be able to map. I used to use a MacBook and got very used to being able to quickly type common Unicode (see https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-alt-codes-4768659#:~:text=Press%20Option%20to). Since most Unicode are not in the menus (with the exception of Yen and some others, and I can't find a function for it). sug_4qgujonb5ujgovx 2024-08-16T23:36:37Z 2024-08-19T02:28:45Z Trying to remember what combo sixteen was doing with tap dance ten is hard to remember after a few months, it would be nice to be able to name each of those things to easily edit them later on. sug_n6foidwew8x1krk 2024-07-05T01:43:53Z 2024-07-08T03:58:40Z Currently UI is esoteric with all these abbreviations and random key names like TD(0) or Bskp. It would be nice to have UI refactored so that people could understand it without reading manuals and google first. It would allow non-tech people to use the application. I understand that these things were named so that they would fit the keys, but outside of the keyboard layout we could use human-readable names, such as Backspace, Macro1, CapsLock and Row2Column3 for generic names. sug_hj7aagkmub8zjgv 2024-06-27T07:10:36Z 2024-07-01T03:19:47Z Hey! Thanks for an awesome app and functions. I have a trouble that when trying to generate a heatmap there are many steps that are required. Especially some are a duplication of much information that Vial App already have available to it. In my feable mind the Vial App is capable of generating heat-maps. 1. It has a picture of the layout 2. a representation of the matrix 3. A link between the matrix and the picture (Matrix tester) 4. It's already capable of logging key presses. Then what's then missing? To me, not knowing the intricacies, the actual heat-map generation of making more keypresses "red" and leaving the other transparent and green... But...? - I'm sure I don't see the elephant obstacle to make this happen? In my mind the generation of heatmaps could/should happen over time and slow develop "as you go". And not like the qmk-generator online that gives you the picture in one go. How possible is this feature and are there anyone else interested in this function? sug_k8gb7cxjyf17niu 2024-06-04T09:03:13Z 2024-06-10T02:01:42Z Currently, user is limited to use keys available in the standard keymap on every OS, which is limiting when implementing for example a macropad. Some may use additional key combinations, but they may often conflict with user holding a specific key down while using macropad + has other limitations when trying to combine macros together. Add a special keycode that will not trigger any keypress, but instead it'll output specific message to the rawhid endpoint that a specific key was pressed. Options for the exact message are: user-specified code or message, assigned to the key with the mentioned above keycode Position of the pressed key on the matrix + optionally current layer This way, any software allowed to listen on the rawhid endpoint can react to those special events and implement any desired functionality this way, without conflicting with any keypressed handled by OS or other software. If nothing listens on the endpoint, keys will simply do nothing sug_szzn6uz6ylfwhvk 2024-04-23T00:08:21Z 2024-04-29T02:01:40Z When programming a macropad with a large number of keyboard shortcuts it is extremely useful to be able to LABEL the keys, not just see the actual key codes that are attached to a key. For example SHIFT+ALT+UP ARROW might be "LAYER UP". It would be great to be able to simple assign a label that is displayed in the GUI on the key. Although some of this functionality can be acheived using custom keycodes this is not simple and not a practical method for labelling hundreds of keys / keyboard shortcuts. sug_goxgwhzt6mqzw42 2024-04-23T00:01:55Z 2024-04-29T02:01:40Z This feature request has some crossover with the "drag and drop keys" request... When programming a macropad to work with an applications various keyboard shortcuts (photoshop, etc) and assigning them locations on a macropad, it is extremely useful to be able to SWAP the location of two keys. sug_qcheqcystwcx316 2024-04-14T09:59:40Z 2024-04-15T23:12:59Z macros can have names that can be displayed in the GUI when you assign them to buttons, When we configure many macros, its very confusing when figuring out what is assigned to what. sug_z4q5felmneprbbe 2024-04-05T12:34:52Z 2024-04-08T02:01:44Z This feature is missing on the Vial MacOS app. sug_9tmw5rkb7szmltz 2024-03-31T10:05:15Z 2024-04-01T04:03:17Z Hold the key down, the layer is activated and the KC long pressed. It is mainly used for “Alt + TAB (switch windows) ” sug_7vop4dj80gabv0u 2024-02-21T13:27:27Z 2024-02-26T17:28:47Z For example I would like to make a combination like LALT_T(LCTL(KC_Z)) - that is Ctrl+Z on tap and "Left Alt" on Hold. Currently this combination is always changed to LALT_T(KC_Z) BTW: using Vial 0.7.1 with Cyboard Dactyl Keyboard sug_coirltmwnxski9r 2024-01-10T16:11:16Z 2024-01-16T01:11:42Z While adding vial support to macro pads, it will be very useful if we have an option to start an application. So we can choose a key and select an application. We can choose the exe [ In the case of Windows] and on button press, this application will run. sug_8ojdzrw3vhalmz9 2023-12-31T10:10:54Z 2024-01-01T02:39:25Z When mapping a combo, the focus does not auto-advance to the next combo-key, like with normal key-mapping. This would make mapping a lot faster and easier. Same for Tap-Dance sug_weu8zkysxqntvdp 2023-12-30T19:37:52Z 2024-01-01T02:39:25Z Suggest adding layer option for combos so that the same combos can perform different actions on different layers. This would be useful when mac and pc shortcuts are not aligned. sug_1yes1mqj5qykoyr 2023-11-03T06:10:49Z 2023-11-06T14:45:55Z Modifier keys seem to default to 0 delay,i've found that a lot of software doesn't accurately recognize whether a modifier key has been triggered,because 0 delay is too fast.This is a very serious problem,the usefulness of modifier keys is severely reduced.This can be fixed if the modifier keys support adding delays or changing the default 0 delay to 50ms or 100ms. sug_pymyse53u730cc7 2023-09-30T22:30:34Z 2023-09-30T22:34:21Z I'd love to be able to have names for layers rather than just 0/1/2/3 etc. It would make learning and sharing layouts between customers much, much easier. It's a very nice feature in Oryx, and with the complete lack of memory constraints in modern MCUs seems more reasonable than ever. Seems like it would just require saving/retrieving layer names in EEPROM? sug_03sayg7ofntmsv5 2023-09-29T08:25:19Z 2023-09-30T22:34:03Z As it is now, they are 'hidden' under the unfamiliar 'Quantum' tab, that no new user fully understands what it does, and rarely dares to enter and browse. Instead they end up using Tap Dance to re-invent the wheel all over. I think if the two tabs were split, it would make more sense, and the name on that tab would better guide users to the functions they are needing, vs the hard to understand 'Quantum'. sug_bxhfujva94lrofa 2023-09-21T17:04:47Z 2023-09-25T03:55:35Z It would be great if Vial supported the Croatian keyboard layout. The EurKey layout cannot be used to input the Croatian characters č, ć, š and ž. It only supports đ. It would also be useful for people from Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro as they could also write in their native language (the Latin script). Let me know if that sounds good. I't be happy to help in adding it in any way. I looked around the project repository but couldn't really figure out where to start and how I would add it. Check the image to see how I am doing it right now :) sug_r6fnbpdtnga1l5e 2023-09-19T02:27:41Z 2023-09-25T03:55:35Z sug_quqnnqkasjl6e4s 2023-09-10T15:06:59Z 2023-09-11T04:11:27Z Could a system tray icon be added to indicate what layer the keymap is currently on? Either with a number or a color? Maybe an open option could be added to it with a right click. sug_rjugrsopsu66m0o 2023-08-29T21:25:29Z 2023-09-03T20:59:47Z make vial's combos be able to use combo_ref_from_layer callback sug_9gj60eb1amsevhk 2023-08-26T21:31:25Z 2023-08-28T03:13:00Z It would be nice if keys used at least once in a layer were highlighted in the bottom palette. This would make it easier to know which keys were not yet accounted for when starting a new layout. Maybe this could be enabled/disabled in a menu, but there's no menu for preferences.