GXCapIndicator

GXCapIndicator is a simple tool for indicating the status of Caps Lock and Num Lock keys in the system tray.

Features

• Monitor Caps Lock and Num Lock keys
• Toggle Caps Lock and Num Lock with an on-screen button
• Hideable indicators
• Adjustable update rate
• Wayland support (with Evdev)

Installation

To build GXCapIndicator, choose the backend you want to use:

With Evdev Backend

make

With X11 Backend

make WITHX11=1

Backend Differences

GXCapIndicator supports two backends for fetching key status: X11 and Evdev. Each backend has its own capabilities and limitations.

X11 Backend

• Uses XkbGetState to fetch the key status.
• Checks cannot be done in real time without generating high CPU usage.
• Some options are not available:
  • Initial Visual State: Cannot set the initial visual state of Caps Lock/Num Lock (unnecessary with XkbGetState).

Evdev Backend

• Uses libinput_event_get_keyboard_event to fetch the key status.
• Checks can be real time without high CPU Usage
• Some options are not available:
  • Update Rate: Cannot change update rate because polling intercepts events (and is not really necessary because there is no CPU usage penalty).
  • Toggle: Can't be implemented without root access.

Configuration

You can configure GXCapIndicator with the integrated GUI (settings in indicator menu) or by editing $HOME/.config/gxcapindicator using the following options:

Item	Description	Possible Values	Default Value	Example	Scope
showcap	Enables the Caps Lock key indicator	0, 1	1	showcap=1	All
shownum	Enables the Num Lock key indicator	0, 1	1	shownum=1	All
updrate	Sets the update rate	(Number)	0	updrate=0	X11
vcapstate	Sets the initial visual state of Caps Lock	0, 1	0	vcapstate=0	Evdev
vnumstate	Sets the initial visual state of Num Lock	0, 1	0	vnumstate=0	Evdev