MacroPad

This is a tool for turning any key-based input device into a "macropad" for triggering commands on your PC. Although designed with traditional keyboard numpads in mind, MacroPad will work with any device that fires keycodes.

MacroPad intercepts keycodes on a per-device basis, meaning multiple keyboards can be plugged in and configured independently.

MacroPad's most powerful feature is layering, which allows keys to change the mapping of the device on the fly.

Changelog

• 01-12-2020 - Added events section to config for firing commands based on state changes.
• 01-04-2020 - Alternate detection method now supports bluetooth devices. This is checked during --detect and opens devices based on their name instead of by-id path. As a result of supporting bluetooth, reconnect timeouts/waits are in place.

WIP / Requesting Help

Documentation lags behind the current featureset. I update this readme and the linked tutorials as often as possible, but it's a low priority.

For those who like learning by example, I've included my personal config. It almost always has examples of new functionality.

If you're having trouble setting up a config, open up an issue and I will help.

Requirements

• An extra USB keyboard or numpad (see Notes / Quirks)
• python3
• python-evdev
• xdotool - used for TYPE command
• input group membership

Notes / Quirks

• By default, MacroPad consumes ALL events generated by a device. This is done to place emphasis on using a device only for macroing, like a standalone numpad. Override this by placing PASSTHROUGH in the DEVICE section.

Setup

First, ensure you have the python-evdev module installed via pip or your distro's package manager. In Arch Linux, use python-evdev. If you aren't already, add yourself to the input group.

Clone this repo to a directory of your choosing, then run:

./macropad.py --detect

Follow the on-screen instructions. Note the location of the configuration file, then open it in the text editor of your choosing.

Learning / Documentation

Please see advanced usage after reading the section below.

Configuration Workflow (Basic)

Open up a terminal alongside your text editor and run:

./macropad.py --show /path/to/config/file

Now press any key on the input device chosen in the last step. You will see something along the lines of:

KEY_KP1 - KEY_DOWN
KEY_KP1 - KEY_HOLD
KEY_KP1 - KEY_HOLD
KEY_KP1 - KEY_HOLD
KEY_KP1 - KEY_UP

(output will differ based on key and duration of the key press)

Take note that numpads will often fire KEY_NUMPAD in addition to the key being pressed. This can be ignored.

To configure a key, follow this format:

BINDS {
	<KEYCODE> {
		.. options ..

		<EVENT> {
			.. commands ..
		}
	}
}

Formatting and indents matter!

Supported events are:

ON_PRESS
ON_RELEASE

Where commands is:

RUN <program/script/etc>
TYPE <string>
KEY <keycode>
LAYER <layer>
HOTLAYER <layer>
MODELAYER <layer>

options only supports one command at the time of writing:

BIND <keycode>

(this is a shortcut to doing ONPRESS [...] KEY <keycode>)

Save the config file. Now run:

./macropad /path/to/config/file

Example Config

I've attached my personal config file to this repo: example.conf.