Keyboard
Included with Macro DeckPress shortcuts, type text and run key sequences on your computer from a button.
The Keyboard integration page with the switch turned on and no configuration options
- Press any key or shortcut, such as Ctrl + C
- Type text, with variables in it
- Run key sequences with delays and repeats
- Hold a key down and release it later
- Send keys to one app, also when it is in the background
The Keyboard integration makes Macro Deck press keys on the computer it runs on, as if you typed them yourself. It comes with Macro Deck, is turned on from the start and has nothing to set up. On macOS it needs the Accessibility permission once.
What you can do
- Press Key / Combination presses one key or a shortcut, for example
Ctrl + Shift + Mto mute yourself in a call app. Repeat presses it several times, with a Delay Between Repeats. - Type Text types a text, for example your email signature or a chat command. The text can contain variables, such as
{{ vars.name }}. - Run Key Sequence runs several steps in a row: key combinations, text, delays, and keys that are held and released. You build the steps in an editor with Add Step.
- Hold Key (Down) keeps a key pressed until Release Key (Up) lets it go, for example for push-to-talk with one button that holds and one that releases.
You set a key in the Key Combination field either by choosing it from a list (Select) or by pressing it on your keyboard (Record).
Send keys to one application
By default the keys go to the window in front. Under Target Application (optional) you can pick a running app instead, and under Delivery choose how the keys get there:
- Only when the app is focused skips the keys while another app is in front.
- Focus the app, then send (works for games) brings the app to the front first.
- Send in background (best-effort, not games) sends the keys without bringing the app to the front. Some platforms cannot send modifier keys this way.
Hold Key (Down) offers only Only when the app is focused and Send in background (best-effort, not games).
Example setups
- A button that sends
Ctrl + Shift + Mto your meeting app with Focus the app, then send. - A button that types
!discordand presses Enter in your stream chat with Run Key Sequence. - A button that saves the document with
Ctrl + S, waits half a second and closes it withCtrl + W.
Macro Deck releases all held keys when it shuts down.
What you need
- Macro Deck 3 on Windows, macOS or Linux
- On macOS, the Accessibility permission for Macro Deck
- On Linux, an X11 session (Wayland sessions reject simulated input)
Set it up
Step 1: Check that the integration is turned on
In Macro Deck, click Integrations in the sidebar and click Keyboard. The switch at the top right is on by default; turn it on if it is off. There is nothing to set up: the Overview tab shows No configuration options available for this integration.
Step 2: Allow Accessibility on macOS
On macOS, Macro Deck asks for the Accessibility permission when it starts. If the Keyboard page shows Accessibility permission required, click Grant permission and turn on Macro Deck under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Restart Macro Deck if the keys still do not arrive.
Step 3: Add a Keyboard action to a button
On the Deck page, click a button. The deck must be unlocked: when the Lock button shows at the top right, it is. The editor opens with Short Press selected. Click + Add action, select Keyboard on the left of the Add action dialog and pick Press Key / Combination, Type Text or Run Key Sequence.
Step 4: Set the keys
In Key Combination, choose Record and press the shortcut on your keyboard, or choose Select and pick the key and modifiers. For Type Text, enter the Text.
Step 5: Choose where the keys go
Leave Target Application (optional) empty to send the keys to the window in front. To send them to one app, pick it and choose the Delivery. For games, use Focus the app, then send (works for games).
Step 6: Press the button
Save, click into the app that should get the keys and press the button on your phone, tablet or deck.
Actions5
Put these on a button or run them from a flow.
- Press Key / Combination
- Simulates pressing a key or a modifier combination (e.g. Ctrl + C), optionally several times.
- Type Text
- Types the given text as native keyboard input, with variables in it.
- Run Key Sequence
- Executes a multi-step keyboard sequence with delays and repeats.
- Hold Key (Down)
- Presses and holds a key until it is released with Release Key.
- Release Key (Up)
- Releases a key held with Hold Key. Safe if it is not held.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my keys not reach a game?
Most games only accept keys while they are in front. Set the game as Target Application (optional) and choose Focus the app, then send (works for games). Sending in the background does not work for games.
The target app was found but did not get the keys. Why?
On Windows, an app that runs as administrator only accepts keys from apps that also run as administrator. Start Macro Deck as administrator too, or start the other app without it.
Does it work on Linux with Wayland?
No. The Keyboard integration needs an X11 session on Linux. In a Wayland session, simulated input is rejected and the Keyboard page shows Keyboard simulation unavailable.
A key is stuck. What can I do?
Run Release Key (Up) with the same key. It is safe to run even if the key is not held. Macro Deck also releases all held keys when it shuts down.
Are my hotkeys from Macro Deck 2 carried over?
Yes, when you migrate from Macro Deck 2, hotkey and write text actions of the Windows Utils plugin become Press Key / Combination and Type Text actions.
More in Your computer
System
Included with Macro DeckControl your computer from your deck: apps, volume, commands, notifications, sleep and shutdown.
Mouse
Included with Macro DeckClick, move the pointer, drag and scroll on your computer from a button.
ADB / Android Debug Bridge
Included with Macro DeckControl an Android phone or tablet over USB or Wi-Fi: wake it, start apps, tap, type and take screenshots.
Steam
Included with Macro DeckStart and close Steam games, and show what you play, your friends and your library on your deck.