# keycastr/keycastr

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14,608 stars · 555 forks · Objective-C · bsd-3-clause

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/keycastr/keycastr
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/keycastr-keycastr.md

## Description

Keycastr is a system-level utility for macOS that captures and displays keyboard and mouse interactions as visual overlays on the desktop. By registering global event taps within the operating system, it monitors input actions in real time and renders them through transparent, non-interactive windows that float above other active applications.

The application distinguishes itself through a plugin-based architecture that allows for the integration of custom modules to define how input events are rendered. Users can manage the lifecycle and positioning of these visual elements through a native interface, enabling the drag-and-drop placement of overlays and the selection of specific keystrokes or mouse clicks to be displayed during live sessions or recorded demonstrations.

The software provides a comprehensive set of tools for customizing the visual output, including options to filter which keys appear and to extend the core visualization logic. It is designed to support instructional clarity and accessibility by making hidden input actions visible during screen sharing, presentations, and the production of educational video content.

## Tags

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Keystroke Visualizers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/keystroke-visualizers.md) — Displays keyboard inputs and mouse clicks on screen to provide visual feedback during live presentations and screencasts.
- [Floating Window Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/display-windowing/tiling-window-managers/floating-window-management.md) — Renders input feedback through transparent, non-interactive windows that float above other applications.
- [Input Event Interception](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/hardware-interfacing-drivers/input-event-interception.md) — Captures low-level system input events using global event taps for real-time monitoring.

### Business & Productivity Software

- [Input Action Visualizers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/knowledge-content-creation/presentation-visual-tools/input-action-visualizers.md) — Displays pressed keys and mouse clicks on screen to provide clear visual feedback during presentations. ([source](https://github.com/keycastr/keycastr#readme))
- [Presentation and Visual Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/knowledge-content-creation/presentation-visual-tools.md) — Provides visual aids for live presentations by displaying keyboard and mouse interactions.

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Plugin-Based Visualization Architecture](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/integration-extensibility/extensibility/plugin-architectures/domain-specific/plugin-based-visualization-architecture.md) — Supports a plugin-based architecture for dynamic loading of custom input rendering modules.
- [Visualizer Extenders](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/integration-extensibility/extensibility/plugin-architectures/developer-authoring-interfaces/custom-module-implementations/module-functionality-extenders/visualizer-extenders.md) — Provides a plugin-based architecture for defining custom rendering logic for on-screen input events. ([source](https://github.com/keycastr/keycastr#readme))

### System Administration & Monitoring

- [User Input Monitors](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/system-administration-monitoring/activity-monitors/user-input-monitors.md) — Monitors and filters keyboard and mouse interactions for real-time desktop display.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Screen Recording Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/screen-recording-tools.md) — Provides real-time input overlays to improve clarity in instructional screen recordings.

### Education & Learning Resources

- [Screencasts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/education-learning-resources/screencasts.md) — Enhances screencast production by overlaying real-time keystroke information for educational tutorials.
- [Demonstration Accessibility Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/education-learning-resources/interactive-demonstrations/demonstration-accessibility-tools.md) — Makes hidden input actions visible to participants during remote screen sharing sessions.

### User Interface & Experience

- [Input Filters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/form-and-input-management/input-handling/modifier-key-listeners/input-filters.md) — Allows users to filter which specific keystrokes and mouse clicks are captured and displayed. ([source](https://github.com/keycastr/keycastr/blob/main/README.md))