How to Set Up Double Pinyin (双拼) Schemes in the Wanxiang Rime Input Method

You can activate any standard double pinyin layout instantly by typing a slash command (e.g., /flypy for 小鹤双拼) or make it permanent by editing custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml to reference the desired algebra rules.

The Wanxiang input method for Rime ships with a full-pinyin core that transforms into various double pinyin schemes through speller algebra. This article explains how to set up double pinyin (双拼) schemes in the amzxyz/rime_wanxiang repository using the built-in patch system and Lua commands.

How Double Pinyin Transformation Works

Wanxiang implements double pinyin through three coordinated components:

• wanxiang_algebra.yaml – Contains conversion tables for every supported layout (小鹤, 微软, 搜狗, 智能 ABC, 紫光, 国标, 万象, 自然码). Each block defines xform and derive rules that map full-pinyin codes to double-pinyin codes.
• wanxiang.schema.yaml – The main schema file. Its speller/algebra section points to wanxiang_algebra:/base/全拼 by default, but accepts patches to swap in any double-pinyin base.
• lua/set_schema.lua – A Lua translator that listens for slash commands (e.g., /flypy, /mspy) and writes the appropriate patch to your user directory.

When you invoke a command, set_schema.lua creates a patch file that replaces the base algebra reference, causing Rime to use the double-pinyin conversion table instead of full-pinyin.

Switching Double Pinyin Schemes On-the-Fly

To change layouts without editing configuration files, type one of these commands while the input method is active:

Command	Layout	Algebra Reference
/flypy	小鹤双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/小鹤双拼
/mspy	微软双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/微软双拼
/sogou	搜狗双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/搜狗双拼
/ziguang	紫光双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/紫光双拼
/gbpy	国标双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/国标双拼
/wxsp	万象双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/万象双拼
/zrm	自然码双拼	wanxiang_algebra:/base/自然码双拼
/pinyin	全拼 (reset)	wanxiang_algebra:/base/全拼

The lua_translator@*set_schema entry in wanxiang.schema.yaml (line 80) triggers set_schema.lua, which writes the following patch to custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml:

patch:
  speller/algebra:
    __patch:
      - wanxiang_algebra:/base/小鹤双拼

After the file is written, deploy the schema (press Deploy or restart Rime). The transformation rules take effect immediately.

Setting a Default Double Pinyin Layout

To make a specific layout the default instead of full-pinyin, create a persistent patch:

1. Open or create custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml in your Rime user directory (e.g., ~/.config/ibus/rime/custom/).
2. Add the following content:

# wanxiang.custom.yaml - Make 小鹤双拼 the default

patch:
  speller/algebra:
    __patch:
      - wanxiang_algebra:/base/小鹤双拼

3. Deploy the schema once.

Rime merges this patch with the main schema on startup. The __patch directive replaces the default speller/algebra entry, so the double-pinyin rules load automatically without requiring slash commands.

Creating Custom Double Pinyin Layouts

You can define proprietary layouts by extending wanxiang_algebra.yaml:

1. Locate an existing block (e.g., 小鹤双拼:) in wanxiang_algebra.yaml.
2. Duplicate it, rename it (e.g., mysp:), and modify the xform rules:

mysp:
  __append:
    - xform/^z$/v/
    - xform/^c$/i/
    # ... additional custom mappings ...

3. Reference your new block in custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml:

patch:
  speller/algebra:
    __patch:
      - wanxiang_algebra:/base/mysp

4. Deploy the schema.

If you want a dedicated slash command for your custom layout, add an entry to the schema_map table in lua/set_schema.lua:

["/mysp"] = "mysp",

Summary

• Core mechanism: Double pinyin conversion lives in wanxiang_algebra.yaml as algebra rules that transform full-pinyin input.
• Instant switching: Use slash commands (/flypy, /mspy, etc.) handled by lua/set_schema.lua to write temporary patches.
• Permanent setup: Edit custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml to patch speller/algebra with your preferred base reference.
• Customization: Add new layouts by creating blocks in wanxiang_algebra.yaml and referencing them via the patch system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file controls the double pinyin conversion rules?

The file wanxiang_algebra.yaml in the repository root contains all conversion tables. Each supported scheme (小鹤, 微软, etc.) has a named block defining xform and derive rules that map full-pinyin syllables to double-pinyin keys.

Why do I need to deploy after running a slash command?

The set_schema.lua script writes a patch file to disk, but Rime only loads configuration changes during the deploy phase. Deploying recompiles the schema with the new speller/algebra reference, activating the selected double-pinyin layout.

Can I use double pinyin without the slash commands?

Yes. Instead of using /flypy or /mspy, manually create custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml with a patch: section that sets speller/algebra to reference your chosen base (e.g., wanxiang_algebra:/base/小鹤双拼). This makes the layout active by default whenever Rime starts.

How do I revert to full pinyin after switching to double pinyin?

Type /pinyin while the input method is active, or change your custom/wanxiang.custom.yaml to reference wanxiang_algebra:/base/全拼 instead of a double-pinyin base. Deploy the schema to apply the change.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}