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Simulate a GameController/Joystick using your keyboard and mouse.

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Key2Joy

Simulate a Joystick/Controller/Gamepad using your keyboard, mouse or other triggers.

build-test-and-pre-release Test Code Coverage Status

In addition to simply simulating a button being pressed on the Joystick, you can also write Javascript and Lua scripts to execute a more complex sequence of actions.


System Requirements

  • Windows 8.1, Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • .NET Framework 4.8, which has been included in Windows since Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903)

Installation

  1. (Optional) I advise you create a System Restore Point
  2. Download a binary from the releases of this repo
  3. Extract all files to the same location

Usage

Warning

Use at your own risk! Incorrect driver (un)installation may cause a blue screen. Read the Uninstalling section below to find out how to uninstall the driver.

Using Key2Joy with a Graphical User Interface

  1. Start Key2Joy.exe

  2. (First time only) Accept installation of the Scp Virtual Bus Driver

  3. Use the default mappings, modify them by double-clicking a row in the mapping-list, or add new mappings.

    Screenshot showing the overview window. Off to the side the mapping dialog is showing all available actions.

    A trigger is something that Key2Joy will listen for. E.g: a mouse move, key press, key release, etc...

Note

Default behaviour of a trigger is disabled by default. This means setting the left mouse button as a trigger will make it so you can't left-click anymore until you abort this app.

An action is what will happen when that trigger occurs. E.g: simulating a joystick button being pressed, a keyboard button being released, or executing a Lua/Javascript script.

  1. Tick the Arm Mappings checkbox for Key2Joy to start listening for triggers that will execute the configured actions.

  2. When you're done using Key2Joy, uncheck the Arm Mappings checkbox to stop listening for triggers.

    In the default profile there is also a mapping that stops Key2Joy from listening using the Escape-key. Don't forget to include such a mapping for your custom profiles.

Note

Check out the 🐕‍🦺 Tips & Tricks category in the discussions for tips and tricks. Certain inputs may be tricky to configure, but there's usually a way to get it working.

Warning

Please be careful using this tool in multiplayer/competitive games. It may be considered cheating and get you banned. Some games may only ban you after a while, so don't assume you're safe just because you haven't been banned yet.

Using Key2Joy with a Command Line Interface

  1. Run Key2Joy.Cmd.exe enable in a command-prompt:

    • This will start Key2Joy if it's not already running. (Note: you need to have started the GUI app (Key2Joy.exe) at least once since installing)
    • By default it will enable the last used profile
    • You can use --profile default-profile to specify which profile file to enable (you don't have to include the .k2j.json extension)
  2. Running Key2Joy.Cmd.exe disable will disable the active profile


Scripting

You can create scripts in Lua or Javascript that perform a sequence of actions with more complex logic.

Here is a simple example of a script that holds the "A" button on a gamepad for 500 ms and then stops simulating input:

Print("Hello World!")

GamePad.Simulate(GamePadControl.A, PressState.Press)
SetTimeout(function()
   GamePad.Simulate(GamePadControl.A, PressState.Release)
   App.Command("abort")
end, 500)

You probably want to bind scripts only to the "Release" press state of triggers. Otherwise a script will be executed both on key down AND up.

Full scripting reference is available in Docs/Scripting.md


Known Issues and Limitations

  • Windows wont let you click if you release a mouse key that hasn't been pressed before.

  • Keyboard triggers do not activate when the app is in the foreground.

  • If you run another app as administrator, Key2Joy can only simulate input in that app if Key2Joy is also running as administrator.


Uninstalling

Use ScpDriverInstaller.exe to uninstall the driver. You can find the latest version here: mogzol/ScpDriverInterface releases

Warning

Do not uninstall the driver through Device manager or you'll end up with a corrupt driver installation which may cause a blue screen. You may be able to recover from this by starting Windows in Safe-mode, running ScpDriverInstaller.exe and choosing "Uninstall".


Contributing

Please do not hesitate to create an issue when you find a problem, or submit a Pull Request when you've made enhancements or fixed bugs.

♥ Thanks in advance for your help!


Special Thanks 😍

Originally inspired by JoyToKey, this project has since evolved to offer so much more. Our gratitude goes out to the following resources:

NuGet Packages:

Iconography:


License

This software is license under the MIT License (see LICENSE-file). The licenses for other libraries and/or code used can be found in the LICENSE-3RD-PARTY.txt file.