Using Caps Lock as Esc in Mac OS X

Question

How do I make Caps Lock work like Esc in Mac OS X?

Answer 1

In order to actually swap the escape key with the caps lock key (not just map one to the other) using both PCKeyboardHack and KeyRemap4MacBook, you have to follow the instructions in this thread, mapping the caps lock key to a keycode not used by the keyboard but accounted for by KeyRemap4MacBook (eg. 110). Then, in PCKeyboardHack, select the appropriate option that maps that keycode to escape (in the case of 110, it's "Application Key to Escape"). Here's what your KeyRemap4MacBook preferences should look like (provided you've selected the "show enabled only" checkbox).

I originally attempted to post this information as an edit to cwd's excellent answer, but it was rejected. I encourage anyone who wants to go the route that I describe to first read his/her response.

Answer 2

Open up Keyboard preferences and click modifier keys... you can change the caps lock key to control, option, escape, or command.