2nd-Keyboard

Adaptation of TaranVH's original LuaMacros code, since I don't want to use Intercept.

A lot of the code is reorganized and genericized, but should work the same as his.

NOTE: I am currently using this myself, however I'm only using a keypad, and can't check most of the keyboard. The keypad works great, though!

Additional note: there are two .AHK script files in the "Scripts" folder. Only one is needed. Feel free to work off of 2nd-keyboard-commands-blank.ahk and ignore 2nd-keyboard-commands-custom.ahk.

A quick-start guide for using a second keyboard purely for macros on Windows.

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Getting started

Watch the video first, then take a look at the instructions below.

(These instructions are mostly the same ones written by Taran. If they need to be clarified, just let me know, or submit a pull request!)

1. Ensure that both your keyboards are plugged in.
2. Download and install LuaMacros and AutoHotkey.
3. Download this project and extract it.
   • If for some reason you can't, download 2nd-keyboard-commands-blank.ahk, send-keypresses-to-ahk.lua, and keypressed.txt from this GitHub repository, by clicking on the RAW button for each, and then selecting FILE > SAVE AS. Save them all into the same folder.
4. Open send-keypresses-to-ahk.lua using LuaMacros.exe, which will allow you to view and modify the code. You'll need to change the file path of keypressed.txt at least.
5. Click on the "play" arrow button. An identification window should pop up. Press any key on your 2nd keyboard, and LuaMacros will identify that device as your 2nd keyboard.
6. Typing on your 2nd keyboard should no longer work, since LuaMacros is now intercepting and blocking those keystrokes.
7. Press the spacebar on your second keyboard, then check keypressed.txt to see if it now contains the string "space". If so, you got it working!
8. Run 2nd-keyboard-commands-blank.ahk and you should be good to go!
   • 2nd-keyboard-commands-blank.ahk has no functions initially. You can write your own or copy/paste some from my 2nd-keyboard-commands-custom.ahk, but you'll probably need to modify them to fit your own system and needs.

Don't Panic!

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References

• DIY 87-Key Macro Keyboard by Taran of LinusTechTips

• The Art of the Bodge by Tom Scott

• TaranVH's Original GitHub Repo

• LuaMacros

• AuthoHotkey