KMDeck: A Remote Control App — Built for Keyboard Maestro

[noisneil]

Turn any device into a Keyboard Maestro remote.

Examples:

Getting Started

• Download KMDeck
• Set up some buttons in the app
• Open the interface on any device
• Start controlling your Mac!

---

The Desktop App

This is where you'll set up a grid of buttons to appear on another device. You can choose the number of buttons and add multiple pages. Any changes made in the Editor are immediately reflected on the other device. The button grid colours are fully customisable.

Here's my Logic Pro setup in the KMDeck Editor. It automatically appears on my phone whenever Logic is activated.

Clicking on an empty button in the grid presents the configuration window, where you can set the appearance and behaviour of the button.

There are various button types to choose from:

1. Macro - triggers a Keyboard Maestro macro, with optional parameter.
2. Hotkey - simulates a keypress
3. Run Shortcut - executes a macOS Shortcut, with optional parameter.
4. Open - launch apps and open files or folders.
5. MIDI - Send PC/CC/Note on/off messages.
6. Switch Deck - switches directly to another saved button set up (aka "Deck")
7. Back - switches to the previous Deck

All button types (with the exception of Back) have toggle and single/double/long press detection support.

As you can see, GIFs are supported.

The KMDeck app uses ~0.3% CPU, so you can leave it running in the background. The server will pause when your mac sleeps and resume when it wakes.

---

The Button Interface

Grab the IP address from the URL button and open it on any device connected to the same WiFi network. If you open it in iOS Safari and select Share → Add to Home Screen, you'll be able to use the resultant bookmark to access the full-screen interface, which feels very much like using a native iOS app.

This is where you press the buttons, and...

• Swipe up to enter the Deck Selection screen
• Swipe left/right to navigate between pages
• Swipe down to refresh the interface

Oh, and there's also a web version that can be used to trigger macros from anywhere in the world!

---

Special thanks to @_jims for his role as Beta-Tester-In-Chief!

[_jims]

KMDeck is incredible!

I've considered jumping on the Stream Deck bandwagon, but since I rarely use my MacBook Pro at my desk, I've resisted. Now with KMDeck I can enjoy many of the benefits, all from my iPhone.

Note that KMDeck is certainly a great way to remotely trigger macros, but with the Hotkey and Run Shortcut button types it is much more. Also, one of the coolest features is that the button deck on your remote device (iPhone for me) can be automatically changed based on the macOS app brought to the foreground!

---

@noisneil, thanks for sharing this brilliant remote control tool!

[devoy]

I agree entirely!

But I'm also deeply involved with the Stream Deck, so I'm not yet understanding how this adds to that, (But if you are not that, then this, for sure!)

[noisneil]

Me too. My Stream Deck XL sits next to my mac in the studio and I’d struggle to work without it at this point. The purpose of KMDeck is not as a replacement for the hardware Stream Deck, but more as an alternative to Stream Deck Mobile, with a few benefits for KM users.

In my opinion, the best thing about KMDeck is that it’s ours, and we can make it do whatever we want it to. I’ve seen quite a few posts on here asking if the official KM mobile app might make a return, and until it does, I think this could be very useful to people who want mobile control of their Mac.

I’m sure you can think of times you’d like to be able to do something on your Mac without being in front of it. My own primary use case is controlling Logic Pro while I’m sitting at my piano or drum kit.

[noisneil]

@ronald: I see you deleted your comment, presumably because I already explained this in the web version's documentation. However, I'll restate the security differences here for anyone else interested:

Web version

The Remote Trigger comes with a theoretical security caveat. If someone somehow got hold of your remote trigger URL, they could trigger one of your macros without your knowledge. It's not likely to be a real concern in most cases. However, I designed the web version of KMDeck with a password lock feature, which effectively renders this concern moot.

App Version

The new macOS app broadcasts a local web server which can only be accessed by devices on the same WiFi network while the app is running. They will need to know the server IP address to do so. This is exactly how Stream Deck Mobile, TouchOSC and others work, the only difference being that we don't need a mobile app subscription to access the interface.

[Blacky]

Cool Addition to Streamdeck….
Ist it possible to open it in Ventura 13.7.5?

[noisneil]

I'm unable to test here. Maybe you can try and let us know?

[Blacky]

It doesn’t open on Ventura.
Is it possible to lower the minimal
sys requirements?

I can open the web version-it’s great!
But:
How to open my individual json in Settings by default, without using the import button every time?
Possible to control it (default settings, pages,…) via shortcuts or km actions?

[noisneil]

@Blacky

lower the minimal sys requirements?

Not without quite a bit of work, which I don't have time for in the next few weeks, I'm afraid. If there's a bit more interest in the app, I may allocate some time and try to get it done. (See below)

@Blacky

open my individual json in Settings by default, without using the import button every time?

Browser security limitations make this tricky. There always has to be user interaction in order to access local files.

@Blacky

Possible to control it (default settings, pages,…) via shortcuts or km actions?

Yes, that's possible. I'm going to take a break for a couple of days as I've been hard at it for a full two weeks with the macOS app. In the meantime, can you give me a list of elements you'd be interested in having shortcuts for? (See below)

[noisneil]

@noisneil

I don't have time

Scratch that...

I've added drag-and-drop support for the json files, which you could automate with KM if you like.

I've also added comprehensive keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut Details

File Operations

• ⌘I - Import Configuration

• ⌘E - Export Configuration

• ⌘U - Share KMDeck

• ⌘S - Setup (Open setup modal)

Page Navigation

• ⌘, - Previous Page

• ⌘. - Next Page

• ⌘= - Add Page

• ⌘- - Remove Page

Grid Layout

• ⌘→ - Add Column

• ⌘← - Remove Column

• ⌘↓ - Add Row

• ⌘↑ - Remove Row

Orientation

• ⌘/ - Toggle Portrait/Landscape Mode

If you want to continue chatting about the Web version, please go to its forum post HERE.

[Blacky]

Thank you!
Small conflict with my Safari-Shortcuts:
⌘, - Previous Page. conflict with safari prefs (which i don’t need that often)

[noisneil]

@Blacky

conflict with safari prefs

It won't interfere on any other page so I wouldn't worry about it.

[leroy]

I’ve downloaded and unzipped the file. Now what? How do I install/run it? Please excuse my ignorance.

[noisneil]

It's an app. Just double click it.

[leroy]

I get this:

[Airy]

Since he hasn't replied, I will reply. I don't think you were supposed to open the package and look inside it. I think you were supposed to just double click on the file itself. But there's always a 20% chance that I'm wrong. If you had done that, I think macOS would have been able to find the _CodeSignature folder and you wouldn't get that error. But again, there's always a chance I'm wrong.

[leroy]

I think I see what you’re saying. When I double-click the zip the whole is unzipped but I’ve lost the folder called KMDeck.app. I will try and rename the parent to KMDeck.app and see if that works. Thank you.

[leroy]

That worked. Thank you!

[Airy]

Sometimes I get lucky.

[noisneil]

Thanks mate!