{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/keyboard--family-chords","type":"mechanic","id":"keyboard--family-chords","lang":"en","title":"Simultaneous presses","summary":"Several keys held together form one command. PowerToys can replace one shortcut with another while preserving the intended action.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/keyboard--family-chords/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/keyboard--family-chords.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/keyboard--family-chords.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Physical keyboard interactions","Signals and timing"],"sourceIds":["source-719540110f02454c"],"sources":[{"id":"source-719540110f02454c","title":"PowerToys Keyboard Manager","url":"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"A chord here means a group of keys that together form one action."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-chords-variants\"></a>\n\n- Coincidence of started pressing. Action: Multiple keys must begin to be pressed within tolerance. Application: Simultaneous strike, synchronized opening of locks, musical chord. Conditions: Physically perfect simultaneity is not required; a measurable window is specified. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k025\"></a>\n- Joint retention. Action: The action is available as long as all the necessary keys are pressed. Application: Hold several seals, support the machine, collect a combination of ingredients. Conditions: The order of pressing may not matter. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k026\"></a>\n- Modifier and action. Action: One key modifies the meaning of another as long as it is held. Application: Run plus movement, alternative shot, change of tool step. Conditions: Any assigned key can act as a modifier. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k027\"></a>\n- Multi-level chord. Action: Two or more modifiers together with the main key select the action. Application: Expert commands, complex spells, a large set of tools. Conditions: Conflict checking and limiting the complexity of combinations are required. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k028\"></a>\n- Chord as a symbol. Action: Each combination of a small set of keys represents a character or a word. Application: Shorthand input, fictitious language, limited controller control. Conditions: This can be implemented on regular keys; a specialized wall keyboard is a separate device. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k029\"></a>\n- Accurate typing without extra keys. Action: Only the required set of keystrokes are accepted. Application: Collect binary code, play a constellation, pass a musical chord test. Conditions: You must clearly distinguish between “contains the required” and “matches exactly.” Equipment: A regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k030\"></a>\n- Chord with release confirmation. Action: The set is assembled while holding, then fixed when the selected or all keys are released. Application: Select the composition of the spell, type a shorthand syllable, run a batch of commands. Conditions: You must determine which release completes the assembly. Equipment: A regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k031\"></a>\n- Rolling chord. Action: The new key is pressed before the previous one is released; the intersection of states is important. Application: Interceptions on the rock, legato, holding a continuous power chain. Conditions: A simple sequence without intersection should differ in the result. Equipment: A regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k032\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"keyboard","id":"family-chords","title":"Physical keyboard interactions","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/keyboard/#family-chords","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Simultaneous presses","description":"Several keys held together form one command. PowerToys can replace one shortcut with another while preserving the intended action.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/control-powertoys-shortcut.webp","width":1440,"height":592,"crop":{"x":0,"y":169,"width":964,"height":218},"game":"PowerToys Keyboard Manager","sourceUrl":"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager","originalUrl":"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/images/keyboard-manager/keyboard-remap-shortcut.png","credit":"Microsoft","rights":"Imagery © Microsoft. Developer-distributed screenshot or frame; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.","caption":"PowerToys: Alt+C is remapped to Ctrl+C","alt":"PowerToys: Alt+C is remapped to Ctrl+C","markers":[{"x":18,"y":48,"label":"Two keys form the source shortcut Alt+C"}]},"tips":["Check chord availability and conflicts with system shortcuts."],"examples":[{"title":"PowerToys Keyboard Manager","url":"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/keyboard"}}