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I am trying to configure xkb such that Caps Lock is mapped to the Compose key and Shift+Caps Lock functions as the traditional Caps Lock. I put the following in a new file called /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/gdwatson:

partial modifier keys xkb_symbols "compose" { key <CAPS> { type[Group1] = "TWO_LEVEL", symbols[Group1] = [ Multi_key, Caps_Lock ] }; };

Then I ran setxkbmap -symbols 'pc+us+gdwatson(compose)', which completed successfully. Caps Lock works as Compose, but Shift+Caps Lock works as Compose instead of Caps Lock. xkbcomp :0.0 reveals the following:

key <CAPS> { type= "TWO_LEVEL", symbols[Group1]= [ Multi_key, Multi_key ] };

The second level symbol mapping is duplicating the first for some reason, rather than the separate value I tried to give it. Does anyone have strong enough xkb-fu to tell me what I've done wrong or how to fix it?

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    I can help you doing this in Xmodmap, but not xkb. If you want this, respond positively (do not forget to write @mirabilos in your response so I notice it) in a comment, then I will delete this comment and write it as an answer (you should then also delete your comment response). Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 21:28
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    On your first line, should partial modifier keys actually be partial modifier_keys? Without this change, setxkbmap -symbols 'pc+us+gdwatson(compose)' actually exits with an error, but with the change, I get the desired output from xkbcomp :0.0. However I get the undesired side-effect that pressing Capslock simultaneously puts me in Capslock mode and compose key mode. Commented May 10, 2014 at 6:39

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This seems to accomplish what you're looking for.

partial modifier_keys xkb_symbols "compose" { key <CAPS> { type[Group1] = "TWO_LEVEL", symbols[Group1] = [ Multi_key, Caps_Lock ], actions[Group1] = [ NoAction(), LockMods(modifiers=Lock) ] }; };

The following resources are invaluable when dealing with XKB (I've linked to the WayBack Machine's mirrors of these pages for future-proofing):

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    Also, if you make the first line default partial modifier_keys, then you don't have to explicitly specify setxkbmap -symbols 'pc+us+gdwatson(compose)', you can simply do setxkbmap -symbols 'pc+us+gdwatson' Commented May 10, 2014 at 7:18

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