Barrier is a network-based software utility that functions as a keyboard and mouse switch, allowing a single set of input peripherals to control multiple computers. By capturing raw hardware signals at the system level, it redirects input events across a local network to create a unified workspace across distinct physical displays and operating systems.
The project operates as a client-server system that maintains persistent network connections to route input data. It distinguishes itself by normalizing disparate hardware signals into a unified internal format, enabling consistent interaction regardless of the underlying operating system or hardware architecture. A centralized state machine manages focus and configuration, while virtual coordinate mapping allows the cursor to move seamlessly across screen boundaries as if the connected machines were a single desktop environment.
Beyond basic input redirection, the software includes clipboard synchronization to share text data between connected devices. It utilizes binary protocol serialization to minimize latency during high-frequency peripheral interaction, ensuring that input remains responsive across the network.
