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How to customise the keyboard accessory view layout?1

  • In order to customise the keyboard accessory view layout, you need to edit the WebSSH SSH Config File.
  • You can define a keyboard layout on a per connection basis or globally.
  • The configuration is done by using the #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayout keyword.
Customising the layout by idioms (iPhone / iPad)

Customising the layout by idioms is also available :

  • For iPhone use the keyword : #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayoutIdiomPhone
  • For iPad use the keyword : #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayoutIdiomPad
  • The layout defined by #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayout will be used as a fallback if the layout for the current idiom is not defined.

Layout Syntax

Each accessory keyboard key is defined by a Token and it can be one of the following :

  • A Character Key Token
  • A Special Key Token

A token can be repeated multiple times and there are no separator between tokens. You can add as many tokens as you want but it's your responsibility to ensure that the layout will fit on the screen width. "Page Jump" key token is also available to add a new page.

Example 1 (apply to a specific connection named "MY_SERVER") :

Host MY_SERVER
    # We define a layout with some keys splited on two panels as we are using the "Page Jump" key token : {PJUMP}
    #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayout {ESC}{TAB}{CTL}{FN}[/][*]{ARROWS}[|][:][-][!]{PJUMP}{INS}{PGUP}{PGDN}{HOME}{END}[$][.]

Example 2 (apply to all connections here as we use the wildcard * character) :

Host *
    # We define a custom layout using plain directional keys instead of the all-in-one {ARROWS} key token :
    #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayout {ESC}{TAB}{CTL}{FN}{LEFT}{UP}{DOWN}{RIGHT}[/][*]

Character Keys

Character Keys are defined by the character itself surrounded by brackets : [X]

Just replace X by the character you want to add. It could be a letter, a number or a special character. No matter the case, only one character is allowed.

Example

Host *
    # When you press a Character Key, it will be sent to the terminal :
    #!KeyboardAccessoryViewLayout [A][B][C][X][Y][Z]

Special Keys

Special Keys are defined by a token surrounded by braces : {CMD}

Just replace CMD by an allowed token. See below for the list of allowed tokens.

When you press a Special Key, the corresponding action will be executed.

Allowed Special Keys Tokens

When you press a Special Key, the corresponding action will be executed.

Token Description
{ESC} Escape / Meta Key
{TAB} Tab Key
{CTL} Control Key
{FN} Display the function keys page
{ARROWS} The all-in-one four arrows key
{PJUMP} Page Jump : Add a new keys page to allow you to subdivide your layout
{INS} Insert Key
{DEL} Delete Key
{PGUP} Page Up Key
{PGDN} Page Down Key
{HOME} Home Key
{END} End Key
{UP} Up Arrow Key
{DOWN} Down Arrow Key
{LEFT} Left Arrow Key
{RIGHT} Right Arrow Key
{HELP} Help Key : Show this help page
{PASTE} Paste Key : Paste the clipboard content to the terminal
{PASTE_PASSWORD} Paste Password Key : Paste the current connection password to the terminal

  1. In order to use this functionality, you must upgrade to WebSSH 23.0.1138 


Last update: October 13, 2023