diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
index c42cea9c..4bd5b9b6 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ enum wlr_keyboard_modifier {
 	WLR_MODIFIER_MOD5 = 128,
 };
 
+#define WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP 32
+
 struct wlr_keyboard_impl;
 
 struct wlr_keyboard {
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ struct wlr_keyboard {
 	xkb_led_index_t led_indexes[WLR_LED_COUNT];
 	xkb_mod_index_t mod_indexes[WLR_MODIFIER_COUNT];
 
+	uint32_t keycodes[WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP];
 	struct {
 		xkb_mod_mask_t depressed;
 		xkb_mod_mask_t latched;
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
index b8b467d2..09d3e282 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ struct wlr_keyboard_grab_interface {
 			struct wlr_surface *surface);
 	void (*key)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab, uint32_t time,
 			uint32_t key, uint32_t state);
-	void (*modifiers)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-			uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched,
-			uint32_t mods_locked, uint32_t group);
+	void (*modifiers)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab);
 	void (*cancel)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab);
 };
 
@@ -296,17 +294,13 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_seat *seat, uint32_t time,
  * Send the modifier state to focused keyboard resources. Compositors should use
  * `wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers()` to respect any keyboard grabs.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched, uint32_t mods_locked,
-		uint32_t group);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat);
 
 /**
  * Notify the seat that the modifiers for the keyboard have changed. Defers to
  * any keyboard grabs.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched, uint32_t mods_locked,
-		uint32_t group);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat);
 
 /**
  * Notify the seat that the keyboard focus has changed and request it to be the
diff --git a/rootston/desktop.c b/rootston/desktop.c
index e752e639..c5242599 100644
--- a/rootston/desktop.c
+++ b/rootston/desktop.c
@@ -128,6 +128,16 @@ void view_setup(struct roots_view *view) {
 
 void view_teardown(struct roots_view *view) {
 	// TODO replace me with a signal
+	/*
+	struct wlr_list *views = view->desktop->views;
+	if (views->length < 2 || views->items[views->length-1] != view) {
+		return;
+	}
+
+	struct roots_view *prev_view = views->items[views->length-2];
+	struct roots_input *input = prev_view->desktop->server->input;
+	set_view_focus(input, prev_view->desktop, prev_view);
+	*/
 }
 
 struct roots_view *view_at(struct roots_desktop *desktop, double lx, double ly,
diff --git a/rootston/keyboard.c b/rootston/keyboard.c
index a770f00f..9692ea7d 100644
--- a/rootston/keyboard.c
+++ b/rootston/keyboard.c
@@ -123,17 +123,58 @@ static void keyboard_keysym_release(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
 		keyboard->pressed_keysyms[i] = XKB_KEY_NoSymbol;
 	}
 }
-
-void roots_keyboard_handle_key(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
-		struct wlr_event_keyboard_key *event) {
-	uint32_t keycode = event->keycode + 8;
+/*
+ * Process keypresses from the keyboard as xkb sees them.
+ *
+ * This uses the xkb keysyms translation based on pressed modifiers and clears
+ * the consumed modifiers from the list of modifiers passed to keybind
+ * detection.
+ *
+ * (On US layout) this will trigger: [Alt]+[at]
+ */
+static bool keyboard_keysyms_xkb(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
+		uint32_t keycode, enum wlr_key_state state) {
+	uint32_t modifiers = wlr_keyboard_get_modifiers(keyboard->device->keyboard);
 	const xkb_keysym_t *syms;
 	int syms_len = xkb_state_key_get_syms(keyboard->device->keyboard->xkb_state,
 		keycode, &syms);
+	uint32_t consumed = xkb_state_key_get_consumed_mods2(
+		keyboard->device->keyboard->xkb_state, keycode, XKB_CONSUMED_MODE_XKB);
+
+	modifiers = modifiers & ~consumed;
 
 	bool handled = false;
 	for (int i = 0; i < syms_len; i++) {
-		if (event->state == WLR_KEY_PRESSED) {
+		if (state) {
+			bool keysym_handled =
+				keyboard_keysym_press(keyboard, syms[i]);
+			handled = handled || keysym_handled;
+		} else { // WLR_KEY_RELEASED
+			keyboard_keysym_release(keyboard, syms[i]);
+		}
+	}
+
+	return handled;
+}
+/*
+ * Process keypresses from the keyboard as if modifiers didn't change keysyms.
+ *
+ * This avoids the xkb keysym translation based on modifiers considered pressed
+ * in the state and uses the list of modifiers saved on the rootston side.
+ *
+ * This will trigger the keybind: [Alt]+[Shift]+2
+ */
+static bool keyboard_keysyms_simple(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
+		uint32_t keycode, enum wlr_key_state state) {
+	const xkb_keysym_t *syms;
+	xkb_layout_index_t layout_index = xkb_state_key_get_layout(
+		keyboard->device->keyboard->xkb_state, keycode);
+	int syms_len = xkb_keymap_key_get_syms_by_level(
+		keyboard->device->keyboard->keymap, keycode, layout_index, 0, &syms);
+
+	bool handled = false;
+	for (int i = 0; i < syms_len; i++) {
+		if (state) {
 			bool keysym_handled = keyboard_keysym_press(keyboard, syms[i]);
 			handled = handled || keysym_handled;
 		} else { // WLR_KEY_RELEASED
@@ -141,6 +182,21 @@ void roots_keyboard_handle_key(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
 		}
 	}
 
+	return handled;
+}
+
+void roots_keyboard_handle_key(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
+		struct wlr_event_keyboard_key *event) {
+	uint32_t keycode = event->keycode + 8;
+
+	bool handled = keyboard_keysyms_xkb(keyboard, keycode, event->state);
+
+	if (!handled) {
+		bool key_handled = keyboard_keysyms_simple(keyboard, keycode,
+			event->state);
+		handled = handled || key_handled;
+	}
+
 	if (!handled) {
 		wlr_seat_set_keyboard(keyboard->seat->seat, keyboard->device);
 		wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_key(keyboard->seat->seat, event->time_msec,
@@ -151,13 +207,8 @@ void roots_keyboard_handle_key(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
 void roots_keyboard_handle_modifiers(struct roots_keyboard *r_keyboard,
 		struct wlr_event_keyboard_modifiers *event) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = r_keyboard->seat->seat;
-	struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = r_keyboard->device->keyboard;
 	wlr_seat_set_keyboard(seat, r_keyboard->device);
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(seat,
-		keyboard->modifiers.depressed,
-		keyboard->modifiers.latched,
-		keyboard->modifiers.locked,
-		keyboard->modifiers.group);
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(seat);
 }
 
 static void keyboard_config_merge(struct keyboard_config *config,
diff --git a/types/wlr_data_device.c b/types/wlr_data_device.c
index ee83260e..ea28ef50 100644
--- a/types/wlr_data_device.c
+++ b/types/wlr_data_device.c
@@ -531,9 +531,8 @@ static void keyboard_drag_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
 	// no keyboard input during drags
 }
 
-static void keyboard_drag_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched,
-		uint32_t mods_locked, uint32_t group) {
+static void keyboard_drag_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
+	//struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = grab->seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
 	// TODO change the dnd action based on what modifier is pressed on the
 	// keyboard
 }
diff --git a/types/wlr_keyboard.c b/types/wlr_keyboard.c
index c2fd9e0c..a301c6e0 100644
--- a/types/wlr_keyboard.c
+++ b/types/wlr_keyboard.c
@@ -43,6 +43,30 @@ static void keyboard_modifier_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
 	keyboard->modifiers.group = group;
 }
 
+static void keyboard_key_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
+		struct wlr_event_keyboard_key *event) {
+	bool found = false;
+	size_t i = 0;
+	for (; i < WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP; ++i) {
+		if (keyboard->keycodes[i] == event->keycode) {
+			found = true;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (event->state == WLR_KEY_PRESSED && !found) {
+		for (size_t i = 0; i < WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP; ++i) {
+			if (keyboard->keycodes[i] == 0) {
+				keyboard->keycodes[i] = event->keycode;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if (event->state == WLR_KEY_RELEASED && found) {
+		keyboard->keycodes[i] = 0;
+	}
+}
+
 void wlr_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 		struct wlr_event_keyboard_modifiers *event) {
 	if (!keyboard->xkb_state) {
@@ -67,6 +91,7 @@ void wlr_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 	}
 	keyboard_led_update(keyboard);
 	keyboard_modifier_update(keyboard);
+	keyboard_key_update(keyboard, event);
 	wl_signal_emit(&keyboard->events.key, event);
 }
 
diff --git a/types/wlr_seat.c b/types/wlr_seat.c
index 76b34d31..9de1b3a0 100644
--- a/types/wlr_seat.c
+++ b/types/wlr_seat.c
@@ -284,11 +284,8 @@ static void default_keyboard_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_key(grab->seat, time, key, state);
 }
 
-static void default_keyboard_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched,
-		uint32_t mods_locked, uint32_t group) {
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat, mods_depressed,
-		mods_latched, mods_locked, group);
+static void default_keyboard_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat);
 }
 
 static void default_keyboard_cancel(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
@@ -708,24 +705,26 @@ static void keyboard_resource_destroy_notify(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_clear_focus(state->seat);
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
-	uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched, uint32_t mods_locked,
-	uint32_t group) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 	struct wlr_seat_client *client = seat->keyboard_state.focused_client;
 	if (!client || !client->keyboard) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
+	struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
+	if (!keyboard) {
+		return;
+	}
 
+	uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
 	wl_keyboard_send_modifiers(client->keyboard, serial,
-		mods_depressed, mods_latched,
-		mods_locked, group);
+		keyboard->modifiers.depressed, keyboard->modifiers.latched,
+		keyboard->modifiers.locked, keyboard->modifiers.group);
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 		struct wlr_surface *surface) {
-	if (wlr_seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface == surface) {
+	if (seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface == surface) {
 		// this surface already got an enter notify
 		return;
 	}
@@ -734,71 +733,79 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
 
 	if (surface) {
 		struct wl_client *wl_client = wl_resource_get_client(surface->resource);
-		client = wlr_seat_client_for_wl_client(wlr_seat, wl_client);
+		client = wlr_seat_client_for_wl_client(seat, wl_client);
 	}
 
 	struct wlr_seat_client *focused_client =
-		wlr_seat->keyboard_state.focused_client;
+		seat->keyboard_state.focused_client;
 	struct wlr_surface *focused_surface =
-		wlr_seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface;
+		seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface;
 
 	// leave the previously entered surface
 	if (focused_client && focused_client->keyboard && focused_surface) {
-		uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(wlr_seat->display);
+		uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
 		wl_keyboard_send_leave(focused_client->keyboard, serial,
 			focused_surface->resource);
 	}
 
 	// enter the current surface
-	if (client && client->keyboard) {
-		// TODO: read the currently pressed keys out of the active keyboard and
-		// put them in this array
+	if (client && client->keyboard && seat->keyboard_state.keyboard) {
+		struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
+
 		struct wl_array keys;
 		wl_array_init(&keys);
-		uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(wlr_seat->display);
+		size_t n = 0;
+		for (size_t i = 0; i < WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP; ++i) {
+			if (keyboard->keycodes[i] != 0) {
+				wl_array_add(&keys, sizeof(uint32_t));
+				((uint32_t *)keys.data)[n] = keyboard->keycodes[i];
+				n++;
+			}
+		}
+		uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
 		wl_keyboard_send_enter(client->keyboard, serial,
 			surface->resource, &keys);
+		wl_array_release(&keys);
+
+		wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(seat);
 		wlr_seat_client_send_selection(client);
 	}
 
 	// reinitialize the focus destroy events
-	wl_list_remove(&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.link);
-	wl_list_init(&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.link);
-	wl_list_init(&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.link);
+	wl_list_init(&seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.link);
+	wl_list_init(&seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.link);
 	if (surface) {
 		wl_signal_add(&surface->events.destroy,
-			&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy);
+			&seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy);
 		wl_resource_add_destroy_listener(surface->resource,
-			&wlr_seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy);
-		wlr_seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.notify =
+			&seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy);
+		seat->keyboard_state.resource_destroy.notify =
 			keyboard_resource_destroy_notify;
-		wlr_seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.notify =
+		seat->keyboard_state.surface_destroy.notify =
 			keyboard_surface_destroy_notify;
 	}
 
-	wlr_seat->keyboard_state.focused_client = client;
-	wlr_seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface = surface;
+	seat->keyboard_state.focused_client = client;
+	seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface = surface;
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat, struct
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat, struct
 		wlr_surface *surface) {
-	struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab = wlr_seat->keyboard_state.grab;
+	struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab = seat->keyboard_state.grab;
 	grab->interface->enter(grab, surface);
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_clear_focus(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_clear_focus(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 	struct wl_array keys;
 	wl_array_init(&keys);
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(wlr_seat, NULL);
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(seat, NULL);
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched, uint32_t mods_locked,
-		uint32_t group) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 	struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab = seat->keyboard_state.grab;
-	grab->interface->modifiers(grab,
-		mods_depressed, mods_latched, mods_locked, group);
+	grab->interface->modifiers(grab);
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_seat *seat, uint32_t time,
diff --git a/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c b/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
index 0c41b66f..add80561 100644
--- a/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
+++ b/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
@@ -111,11 +111,8 @@ static void xdg_keyboard_grab_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab, uint32_t
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_key(grab->seat, time, key, state);
 }
 
-static void xdg_keyboard_grab_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched,
-		uint32_t mods_locked, uint32_t group) {
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat, mods_depressed, mods_latched,
-		mods_locked, group);
+static void xdg_keyboard_grab_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat);
 }
 
 static void xdg_keyboard_grab_cancel(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {