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Documentation Index

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Typist supports three keyboard layouts: QWERTY, Dvorak, and Workman. The mod intelligently adapts keybindings to maintain ergonomics and mnemonics across layouts.

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Layout Detection

Typist automatically detects your preferred layout from the typist-layout configuration file: 
-- Default: QWERTY
-- The mod reads from: [Balatro Save Directory]/typist-layout
If no layout file exists, Typist defaults to QWERTY.

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Supported Layouts

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QWERTY (Default)

The standard QWERTY layout with optimal key positioning for Balatro gameplay.
Free Select Keys:
Row 1: a s d f g (cards 1-5)
Row 2: h j k l ; (cards 6-10)
Row 3: y u i o p (cards 11-15)
Row 4: q w e r t (cards 16-20)
Leader Keys:
  • Hand: /
  • Jokers: [
  • Consumables: '
  • Cheat (right): p
  • Cheat (left): q
Quick Actions:
  • Deck preview: z
  • Buy: c
  • Buy & use: v
  • Left 5: ,
  • Right 5: .
  • Run info: x
  • Reorder by enhancement: b
  • Deselect all: n
  • Invert selection: m

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Dvorak

Optimized for the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout, maintaining positional consistency.
Free Select Keys:
Row 1: a o e u i (cards 1-5)
Row 2: d h t n s (cards 6-10)
Row 3: f g c r l (cards 11-15)
Row 4: ' , . p y (cards 16-20)
Leader Keys:
  • Hand: z
  • Jokers: /
  • Consumables: -
  • Cheat (right): l
  • Cheat (left): '
Quick Actions:
  • Deck preview: ;
  • Buy: j
  • Buy & use: k
  • Left 5: w
  • Right 5: v
  • Run info: q
  • Reorder by enhancement: x
  • Deselect all: b
  • Invert selection: m

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Workman

Support for the Workman layout with ergonomic key placement.
Free Select Keys:
Row 1: a s h t g (cards 1-5)
Row 2: y n e o i (cards 6-10)
Row 3: j f u p ; (cards 11-15)
Row 4: b w r d q (cards 16-20)
Leader Keys:
  • Hand: /
  • Jokers: [
  • Consumables: '
  • Cheat (right): ;
  • Cheat (left): q
Quick Actions:
  • Deck preview: z
  • Buy: m
  • Buy & use: c
  • Left 5: d
  • Right 5: .
  • Run info: x
  • Reorder by enhancement: v
  • Deselect all: k
  • Invert selection: l

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Layout Philosophy

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Positional Keys

Positional keys maintain their physical location across layouts. This means:
  • The home row always selects cards 1-5
  • The second row always selects cards 6-10
  • Physical muscle memory transfers between layouts
Example: In QWERTY, asdfg selects the first 5 cards. In Dvorak, the same physical keys (aoeu) select the first 5 cards.

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Mnemonic Keys

Mnemonic keys preserve their letter meaning across layouts:
  • r always means “reroll”
  • s always means “skip”
  • b always means “best hand” (in cheat layer)
  • f always means “flush” (in cheat layer)
These keys may be in different physical positions but maintain their semantic meaning.

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Universal Keys

Some keys remain constant across all layouts:
KeyFunctionWhy Universal
SpaceProceedStandard across all software
TabDismissCommon cancel/back action
Enter/ReturnConfirmUniversal confirmation
EscapeOptions menuStandard escape key
Numbers 1-0Top area selectionNumber row is consistent
Shift (both)Multi-select modifierStandard modifier key
\Unacorn cardSpecial character, consistent

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Cheat Layer Differences

The cheat layer leader keys are positioned for comfortable right-hand access:
LayoutRight LeaderLeft LeaderRationale
QWERTYpqRightmost/leftmost on top row
Dvorakl'Comfortable right-hand positions
Workman;qOptimized for Workman home row
Usage Pattern:
  • Right-handed users: Use right leader + left hand for commands
  • Left-handed users: Use left leader + right hand for commands

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Switching Layouts

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Method 1: Configuration File

  1. Navigate to your Balatro save directory:
    • Windows: %AppData%/Balatro/
    • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Balatro/
    • Linux: ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2379780/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/Balatro/
  2. Create or edit the file named typist-layout
  3. Write one of the following (no quotes, no extra spaces): 
    qwerty
    or 
    dvorak
    or 
    workman
  4. Save the file and restart Balatro

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Method 2: Programmatic (Advanced)

You can also set the layout programmatically in typist-overrides.lua:
return function(layout)
  layout.current_layout = "dvorak"
  return layout
end
This method is useful if you want to:
  • Dynamically switch layouts
  • Include layout changes with other overrides
  • Script layout selection based on conditions

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Verifying Your Layout

To verify which layout Typist is using:
  1. Enable debug mode in Balatro
  2. Open the Lua console
  3. Run: 
    print(require("typist.mod.layout").current_layout)
  4. The console will display: qwerty, dvorak, or workman

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Layout Comparison Table

ActionQWERTYDvorakWorkman
Card Selection (Row 1)asdfgaoeuashth
Hand Leader/z/
Jokers Leader[/[
Consumables Leader’-‘
Cheat Leader (R)pl;
Cheat Leader (L)q’q
Deck Previewz;z
Buycjm
Buy & Usevkc
Run Infoxqx
Left 5,wd
Right 5.v.
Sort Enhancementbxv
Deselect Allnbk
Invert Selectmml

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Custom Layouts

While Typist only includes built-in support for QWERTY, Dvorak, and Workman, you can create custom layouts using keybinding overrides. 
-- In typist-overrides.lua
return function(layout)
  -- Define your custom position map
  layout.free_select_map = {
    ["h"] = 1, ["t"] = 2, ["n"] = 3, ["s"] = 4, ["g"] = 5,
    ["c"] = 6, ["r"] = 7, ["l"] = 8, ["d"] = 9, ["w"] = 10,
    -- ... and so on
  }
  
  return layout
end
See the Configuration Guide for more details.

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Tips for Layout Users

  • Remember your hand leader is z, not /
  • The cheat layer is on l (right pinky), comfortable for quick access
  • Deck preview is ; (QWERTY’s z position)
  • Most keys match QWERTY positions
  • Buy actions shifted to m and c for better Workman ergonomics
  • Deselect/invert moved to k and l (better flow with Workman home row)
If creating a custom layout:
  1. Keep positional keys in a grid pattern (easier to learn)
  2. Place leader keys on accessible but non-conflicting positions
  3. Preserve mnemonic keys where possible (r for reroll, s for skip)
  4. Test thoroughly in different game states

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