A gamified hardware keyboard layout test suite built natively for the GNOME 3/4 desktop ecosystem using Python 3, GTK 4, and Libadwaita. This application transforms standard hardware verification checks into an engaging 5-chapter story typing exercise that monitors real-time performance metrics and maps exact modifier combinations.
- Gamified Layout Suite: Progress through 5 uniquely randomized, character-rich text chapters.
- Full Modifier Testing: Intercepts and maps raw control inputs like
Ctrl,Alt,Shift, and theSuperlayout switches. - Live Analytics Engine: Dynamic asynchronous updating for live Words Per Minute (WPM) counts and duration clocks.
- Hardware Resilience Escape: Skip stuck or broken physical switches at any time using the
Escapekey. - Sleek Libadwaita Interface: Modern layout structures featuring fluid resizing, drag headers, and clear color animations.
Keyboard Novelist can be installed locally on Linux Mint 22.3 (or any modern Ubuntu/Debian derivative) using the automated installer sequence.
Open a terminal and make sure your local system has the required GTK 4 compilation bindings and language libraries:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-gi python3-gi-cairo gir1.2-gtk-4.0 gir1.2-adw-1 wgetClone your project repository, step into the working tree, and launch the localized deployment script:
git clone https://github.com/chaslinux/keyboardnovelist
cd keyboardnovelist
chmod +x install.sh
./install.shThe script will automatically register the codebase assets under your local user partition, safely configure internal operational rules, pull vector icon definitions, and build a native launcher profile link.
Once the setup routine finishes, tap the Super key (Windows/Mint Menu key), type Keyboard Novelist, and select the application launcher.
- Typing Passages: Begin typing the prompted story shown on the display. As you hit alphanumeric values and symbols, the on-screen physical key map highlights in blue.
- Sentence Submission: Pressing
Spacechecks your accuracy mid-sentence. When you reach the absolute end of a sentence fragment, you must press the Enter key to validate the final word and load the next chapter. - Hardware Evaluation: Look at the post-game summary panel to check your total key coverage percentage and verified layout analytics.