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I created a custom keyboard layout in xkb format to simulate arrow keys and put it in /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/custom:

xkb_symbols { name[Group1]= "English (US) with Caps mod"; key <ESC> { [ Escape, asciitilde, grave ] }; key <INS> { [ Insert, Insert, Caps_Lock ] }; key <TAB> { [ Tab, ISO_Left_Tab, Menu ] }; key <AC06> { [ h, H, Left ] }; key <AC07> { [ j, J, Down ] }; key <AC08> { [ k, K, Up ] }; key <AC09> { [ l, L, Right ] }; };

After activating it with: setxkbmap -layout custom -option lv3:caps_switch it works as expected, except for on annoyance: Although I can use Caps+{H,J,K,L} to navigate via the simulated arrow keys, it is not possible to combine it with other modifiers.
For example, the combinations Super+Caps+{H,J,K,L} or Ctrl+Shift+Caps+{H,J,K,L}) just don't work and I have to use the regular arrow keys for those.

Is there a way to get this working or is this a limitation of xkb?

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I wasn't able two get it working with the lv3:caps_switch option. Only after defining a separate two level modifier for caps, the simulated arrow keys worked together with other modifiers such as SUPER.

I have used the de layout as base, but it should work with others as well. Here is my new /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/custom file (setxkbmap -layout custom -variant 5layer to activate):

default partial alphanumeric_keys xkb_symbols "5layer" { include "de(basic)" include "ansi_hybrid(caps_layer)" include "ansi_hybrid(ralt_layers)" }; partial modifier_keys xkb_symbols "caps_layer" { // caps layer key definitions replace key <CAPS> { type[Group1] = "TWO_LEVEL", symbols[Group1] = [ Overlay1_Enable, Overlay1_Enable ], actions[Group1] = [ SetControls(controls=Overlay1), SetControls(controls=Overlay1) ] }; key <LatH> { Overlay1 = <LEFT> }; key <LatJ> { Overlay1 = <DOWN> }; key <LatK> { Overlay1 = <UP> }; key <LatL> { Overlay1 = <RGHT> }; }; partial modifier_keys xkb_symbols "ralt_layers" { // base, shift, ralt, shift+ralt layers key definitions key <CODE> { [ base, shift, ralt_base, ralt_shift_symbol ] }; };
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