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Program a key ​

Every key on the pad is programmed in the desktop app. A key has a look (label, colour, optional picture) and an action: Hotkey, Text, Command or None.

Open the key editor ​

In the desktop app, select the layout you want, then click a key in the grid. The editor opens with the key's number as its title, such as Key 3.

Each key in the grid shows its label and, under it, a short description of its action, such as Ctrl+Shift+T, Type "Hello" or Run firefox. A key with no action shows Not set.

Set the look ​

  • Label (shown on the phone): the text on the key. If you leave it empty, the key is called Key and its number.
  • Colour: pick one of the twelve circles.
  • Picture: select Add image and choose a PNG, JPG, WebP or BMP file. KeyDeck scales it down to fit the key. Select Change image to pick another, or Remove to take it off.

Choose an action ​

Select one of the four buttons, fill in the fields, then select Save.

Hotkey ​

Presses a key combination, as if you typed it.

  1. Select the modifier chips you need: Ctrl, Shift, Alt and Super (the Windows or logo key).

  2. In Key, type a key name or pick one from the list, for example t, f5 or enter.

    If the name is not one KeyDeck knows, the box says Unknown key and Save stays greyed out.

The list has letters, digits, f1 to f12, navigation keys, punctuation and media keys such as playpause, volumeup and mute. See the full key list.

Text ​

Types a piece of text into the window in front, each time you tap the key. Enter it in Text to type. It can span several lines.

Good for email signatures, code snippets or replies you send often.

Command ​

Runs a shell command on the computer, in the background. Enter it in Shell command, for example firefox or code ~/project.

The command runs through /bin/sh. It runs with your user's rights and does not open a terminal window.

DANGER

A Command key can do anything you could do in a terminal, including deleting files. Only enter commands you understand, test them in a terminal first, and keep your QR code private so no one else can tap your keys.

None ​

The key does nothing. Its editor shows This key does nothing when pressed.

Where actions happen ​

Hotkey and Text go to the window that is in front on the computer, so click the right window first. Command does not need a window.

These actions need xdotool (X11) or ydotool (Wayland) on the computer.

Changes sync at once ​

When you select Save, the desktop app saves the key and sends the new look to the connected phone straight away. You do not need to reconnect.

Next steps ​