Optimize MX Master Mouse?

I’ve been using Logitech MX mice since around 2009 (the one with the upright charging base!). I currently use the MX Master 3, but originally set up my MX Master 2S a few years ago and haven’t revisited my configuration much since. I feel like I could be doing a lot more with it.

A few examples of my current setup:

  • Gesture Pad: I tried mapping it to different screenshot hotkeys, but I kept forgetting the directions, so now it simply triggers the CleanShotX palette.
  • Keyboard Maestro Integration :
    • F5 = Copy
    • F6 = Paste
    • I also use app-specific macros in KM using F5/F6 with modifier keys (⌘⌥⌃⇧).

Mouse Button Mapping (Global):

  • Forward Button → F5 (Copy)
  • Back Button → F6 (Paste)
  • Middle Button → F13 (Launch Safari)
  • Scroll Wheel Button → “Center Window” (triggered via Moom)

Browser-Specific Shortcuts (via KM + Mouse):

  • ⌘+F5: Next Tab
  • ⌘+F6: Previous Tab
  • ⌥+F5: Next Page
  • ⌥+F6: Previous Page
  • ⌘⌥+F5: New Tab
  • ⌘⌥+F6: New Window
  • ⌘⇧+F5: Close Tab
  • ⌘⇧+F6: Close Window
  • ⌥⇧+F5: Duplicate Tab
  • ⌥⇧+F6: Move Tab to New Window
  • ⇧+F5: Merge All Windows
  • ⇧+F6: Split Tabs to Windows

I use a similar system in a few other apps, but I’m realizing I should create more specialized macros for heavy-use apps like Final Cut Pro and Things.

Question for the group:

How are you using your MX Master (or other mice) in combination with tools like Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, or others to supercharge your workflows?

3 Likes

I use Steermouse. I have the scroll adjuster button set to VoiceInk (starts a dictation session), and I have ⌘ + the scroll adjuster button set to do what the scroll adjuster button used to do, i.e. adjust the scrolling.

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I have a MX Anywhere and I find the capability of remapping the mouse buttons on a per-app basis is very powerful and I achieve this with BTT. For example, in Inoreader (an app created with Safari’s Add to Dock) clicking the side buttons allow me to scroll through the RSS posts one by one. Clicking the wheel (mid button), marks the feed as read. Of course, in Safari, the buttons trigger the “Show the previous page” menu entry. In Logic Pro, they move the track location. And so on.

It takes some time to reflect on what would be the best use for these side buttons on each app, and it can be a little inconsistent and thus slightly hard to remember but at the end of the day I can be sure that these buttons do something useful on each app… now come to think of it, I think I’d love to have more buttons, is it time to graduate to the MX Master?

1 Like

I have the mouse configured to help me process email messages (archive, send to task management, or screen a new contact) but no other macro has stuck. So, neat thread! I’m hoping to pick up some new ideas.

Good idea:

I alread have the same action trigged using the keypad on Mac, but I can see how doing it this way would be useful.

I am using the MX Master 3S. I use:

  • The back button to invoke Hookmark
  • The forward button to invoke Popclip
  • The gesture button to invoke either an app-specific action or app-specific palette using Keyboard Maestro
  • For a while I used thed the scroll wheel button to bring up a kind of ‘universal’ palette in Keyboard Maestro, but I switched to it bringing up the pinned items in Hookmark. Not sure if I will stick with this.
  • I use the thumb wheel to scroll through browser tabs.

This leaves me with at least one button (Mode shift button) that I don’t really use. I’ll be following this thread for ideas.

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I use a mixture of the above (GREAT post by the way, will be following this). I also use the mode button to invoke Lasso - a great Window Management tool I use alongside Moom. Pressing it invokes the shortcut I set up to bring up a small grid of squares for manually resizing windows. I need to review my setup though of these buttons and get more app-specific ones.