IASType - Easy IAST + ISO 15919 Typing for Mac and Windows

Type Sanskrit letters (IAST or ISO 15919) on your Mac or Windows PC without the hassle of copying and pasting them!

IASType gives you letters like ā, ṛ, ṣ, and ḻ right from your keyboard. Hold Option ⌥ on a Mac or Alt on Windows, tap a letter, and you are done. If that key has more than one special letter, tap it again to see the next one.

It is quick to learn, easy to use, and does not change your normal typing.

Why you may like it

• Type special letters while you write
• Stop searching for letters online
• Stop copying and pasting one letter at a time
• Use easy key choices that are simple to remember
• Make capital letters with Shift
• Use it in most Mac and Windows apps

How to type

Hold Option ⌥ on a Mac or Alt on Windows and tap one of the keys below.

Mac / Windows shortcut	What you get
Option ⌥ / Alt + A	ā
Option ⌥ / Alt + I	ī
Option ⌥ / Alt + U	ū
Option ⌥ / Alt + E	ē
Option ⌥ / Alt + O	ō
Option ⌥ / Alt + R	ṛ → ṝ → ṟ
Option ⌥ / Alt + L	ḷ → ḻ → ḹ
Option ⌥ / Alt + S	ś → ṣ
Option ⌥ / Alt + N	ṇ → ñ → ṅ
Option ⌥ / Alt + M	ṁ → ṃ
Option ⌥ / Alt + T	ṭ
Option ⌥ / Alt + D	ḍ
Option ⌥ / Alt + H	ḥ

When you see arrows, keep holding Option ⌥ or Alt and tap the same letter again.

For example:

Option ⌥ / Alt + N      gives you  ṇ
Tap N again          changes it to  ñ
Tap N one more time  changes it to  ṅ

Let go of Option ⌥ or Alt when you are done. The next tap will start from the first letter again.

To make a capital letter, hold Shift with Option ⌥ or Alt too:

Shift + Option ⌥ / Alt + N  gives you  Ṇ → Ñ → Ṅ

Windows

Windows uses a small free helper called AutoHotkey. The Windows version of IASType uses AutoHotkey v2 to listen for the shortcuts and insert real Unicode text.

Install on Windows

1. Unzip the download.
2. Open the unzipped folder.
3. Double-click install-windows.cmd.
4. If Windows asks for permission, allow PowerShell to run the installer.

The installer tries to add AutoHotkey v2 with WinGet. If WinGet is not available, it opens the official AutoHotkey download page. Install AutoHotkey v2, then double-click install-windows.cmd again.

IASType will start right away and will start automatically each time you sign in to Windows. Test it in Notepad with Alt + A. You should see ā.

To remove the Windows version, double-click uninstall-windows.cmd. It removes IASType but leaves AutoHotkey installed because another script may use it.

Windows notes

• Use the regular Alt key. Ctrl+Alt shortcuts remain available to Windows and other apps.
• IASType works in most normal text boxes. Secure password fields may block keyboard tools.
• If the keys stop working, run install-windows.cmd again or exit and start AutoHotkey from the IASType shortcut in your Startup folder.

Mac

This tool needs a free Mac app called Hammerspoon. Hammerspoon lets the key shortcuts work in your apps.

If Hammerspoon is not on your Mac yet, the installer will download the latest official version and add it to your Applications folder for you.

Install

Macs often block downloaded command files when you double-click them. The steps below use Terminal instead. You do not need to know how to code.

Step 1: Unzip the download

1. Click Download IASType.
2. Open your Downloads folder when the download is done.
3. Double-click the downloaded ZIP file.

A new folder will appear. Open that folder. You should see a file named install.command.

Step 2: Open Terminal

1. Press Command + Space.
2. Type Terminal.
3. Press Return.

A window with text inside will open. That is Terminal.

Step 3: Add the installer

1. Type the word below in Terminal, followed by one space:

   bash

2. Do not press Return yet.

3. Drag install.command from the folder into the Terminal window.

Terminal will add the full file name for you. Your line should look a little like this:

bash /Users/your-name/Downloads/macOS-IAST/install.command

Your line may look different. That is okay.

Step 4: Run the installer

Press Return.

• If your Mac asks if Terminal can open files in Downloads, choose Allow.
• If a message says Hammerspoon is needed, choose OK. The installer will download and add it for you. This may take a moment.
• If you see a message that says the install is done, choose OK and move to Step 5.

If the Hammerspoon website opens, the download could not start. Check your internet connection and run the installer again.

Step 5: Give Hammerspoon access

1. Open System Settings.
2. Choose Privacy & Security.
3. Choose Accessibility.
4. Turn on Hammerspoon.
5. Enter your Mac password if asked.

Hammerspoon needs this access so it can hear the option ⌥ key shortcuts.

Step 6: Test it

Open Notes or another writing app. Press option ⌥ + A. You should see ā.

If nothing happens:

1. Find the Hammerspoon icon at the top of your screen.
2. Click it.
3. Choose Reload Config.
4. Try option ⌥ + A again.

Want the tool ready each time you turn on your Mac? Open Hammerspoon's settings and turn on Start at Login. You can turn off Show Menu Icon if you do not want its icon at the top of your screen.

Safety tip: Only run command files that came from a place you trust. You do not need to turn off your Mac's safety settings to install this tool.

Update

Run install.command from Terminal again:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type bash and one space.
3. Drag install.command into Terminal.
4. Press Return.

The new letter list will replace the old one. Your other Hammerspoon settings will stay in place. The installer also saves a backup before it makes a change. It also cleans up old or repeated IASType setup lines.

Remove

To remove the tool:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type bash and one space.
3. Drag uninstall.command into Terminal.
4. Press Return.

This removes IASType. It does not remove Hammerspoon, since you may use Hammerspoon for other things.

If something is not working

Nothing happens when I press the keys

Make sure Hammerspoon is open. Then check that it is turned on under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.

After that, open the Hammerspoon menu and choose Reload Config.

Terminal says it cannot find the file

Make sure you unzipped the download first. Type bash and one space, then drag the install.command file into Terminal. Dragging the file adds its full name and place for you.

If you did not allow Terminal to open Downloads, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Files & Folders and turn on Downloads access for Terminal. Then try again.

I see the normal Mac Option symbol

Hammerspoon is not catching the key press yet. Follow the steps above and try again.

Holding a letter does not move to the next one

Tap the letter each time. Do not hold the letter down. Keep option ⌥ held down while you tap.

It does not work in a password box

This is normal. Your Mac may block keyboard tools inside password boxes to help keep your password safe.

The wrong letter changes

Finish choosing your letter before you move the typing line or click somewhere else. Moving away starts a new letter cycle.

Note

IAST and ISO 15919 are common ways to write ancient languages with English letters and special marks.

In Sanskrit, e and o are often written without a line because they are already long sounds. The extra letters ē, ō, ḻ, and ṟ are here for Tamil and other languages that use diacritical marks.