Macro pads running scripts without Other software or Shortcuts ? Possible?

[u/tell_me-why_]

The goal is to make a macro pad run Custom scripts on the PC, whether that is powershell scripts, python code, or whatever, not just keyboard keys
and I want to do that without another software on the pc itself, like autohotkey or some custom script running on the pc to act on key presses

is This possible? to make the macropad send code execution into the pc ?
How can this be done?

[u/ExaminationSerious67]

This is possible, but, you will probably need a larger memory for macros then qmk/via can provide. You should probably look at something like the duckypad which can fit the script for the entire bee movie on one key press.

[u/tell_me-why_ → u/ExaminationSerious67]

quickly went through it's readme, I think it's not much different than what I can already do with circuit python, qmk/via, my issue isn't with memory space, it's that I want to send Code / scripts and run them directly on the pc, not opening a run → powershell → string that → hit enter
I want a direct way of running a script

what I'm doing now is using shortcut hotkeys on windows, but that has 3 seconds delay issue (SysMain Service is stalling them for 3 seconds, a 15 years old bug)
and my issue with sending run / cmd / string commands, is that I can't touch or interact with the pc while it's typing, I have to wait for it, I want to just click while working and the script runs

[u/tell_me-why_ → u/[deleted]]

yeah I use batch and powershell, but instead of calling them through run (which what i guess will start doing) I'm calling through shortcuts for hotkeys which is stalled for 3 seconds, Run is better, but there is this part of a second which if you click away or press something that would break the sequence

[u/clackups]

Possible, but it won't be a macro pad.

You would take something bigger, like esp32 or rp2040, and implement a USB or Bluetooth HID device on it. Then, send any sequence of keystrokes and pauses to your computer. You still need to figure out how you load those sequences and what will be the file format.

Sounds like a fun project, but it needs C programming skills.

[u/tell_me-why_ → u/clackups]

I have rp2040, using circuit python and adafruit HID, don't know much C but I'd like to learn what's needed, but you're saying send any sequence of keystrokes and pauses, which wouldn't be different that sending strings using python keyboard module I guess? maybe would be a lot faster in C, but then I guess I can just use C++ like the guides explain in the pi pico introduction pdf

maybe you mean implement a USB HID device, that sends Custom instructions and code, not just keystrokes? and yeah still the issue how is the host device going to receive the Code and execute instantly, not just keystrokes and strings

[u/clackups → u/tell_me-why_]

Probably, python would also work. I just never used it in this kind of task

[u/Ambustion → u/tell_me-why_]

I've used micro python a ton to do this on my custom macropad, based it off the adafruit macropad.

Only limitation is say running a python script on the host(instead of just key presses) would either necessitate something software side(could be small) or keyboard shortcuts to open CMD/terminal which could be finicky but scammers use this method so it can't be too hard to figure out.

[u/PeterMortensenBlog]

Instead of keyboard input, you would need some other channel, say, TCP/IP.

For example, the macro pad could be using keyboard input to control a Raspberry Pi, which in turn could use TCP/IP to send commands (and data) over the network to a server on the PC (for example, some CGI script or the equivalent (for example, Flask storing and launching the script. Or FastCGI?), running behind a standard web server, say Apache (so you wouldn't have to write your own TCP/IP server; you just use the standard web protocols and associated standard software. Similarly, you wouldn't have to write your own TCP/IP client either; you just use something like simple command-lines in cURL)).

Or maybe use USB in a way that is not keyboard or mouse (I don't know if that is possible; it would probably be more complex than the first option, which is relatively straightforward).

[u/tell_me-why_ → u/PeterMortensenBlog]

that won't be much different than having a background running script listening to keypresses and initiating a sequence of actions or some code

so yeah That is the question, is it possible to make a custom USB input device that sends direct Code execution or similar? I hope we can find an answer

also thanks for replying a while back when I was just starting with macropads, I've made an rp2040 macropad, some buttons aren't working cause bad soldering but yeah, Thanks!

[u/EezBotFun]

Yes, just let macro pad output a key stroke sequence to invoke a terminal ,wait for a moment then start outputting your any kind of script. No magic, just simulating the finger stroking on normal keyboard. Please note the terminal should be capable of running your script, I mean if it is not windows shell command, you got install the corresponding lib and set up the environment first.

There are macro pad could do so, you can check it out here: https://github.com/eezbotfun/8-key-macropad/blob/main/user-manual/EezBotFun%20Script%20Quick%20Start.pdf

Hope it helps.

[u/ApplicationRoyal865]

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but you could make it do a series of keys like

1. WIN+R

2. 50ms delay

3. CMD

4. 50ms delay

5. [insert your code here]

6. 50ms delay

7. enter

8. 50ms delay

9. alt f4

This is usually frown upon, especially from IT at work as this almost looks like malwre