KeyPhantom

Send keyboard events silently to background applications

Overview

KeyPhantom is a macOS utility that lets you create keyboard shortcuts that send specific keystrokes to background applications - like a phantom operating behind the scenes. Perfect for power users who need to control multiple applications simultaneously without switching contexts.

Key Features

• Custom Keyboard Shortcuts: Create global shortcuts that trigger specific key presses in target applications
• Application Targeting: Send keystrokes to specific applications without bringing them to the foreground
• Menu Bar Control: Quick access to enable/disable functionality from the status menu
• Easy-to-Use Interface: Simple settings panel for managing your phantom key bindings
• Launch at Login: Option to start automatically when you log in
• Automatic Updates: Stay current with the latest features and improvements

Why I Built KeyPhantom

I created KeyPhantom to solve a personal frustration. As a Minecraft player, I often found myself wanting to read e-books while playing. However, Minecraft relies heavily on mouse control, making it impossible to switch to other apps like WeChat Reading or other e-book readers to flip pages without disrupting gameplay.

KeyPhantom lets me assign some global shortcuts that send "page turn" keystrokes to my e-book reading app in the background while I remain focused on Minecraft. This way, I can continue gaming with full mouse control while still flipping my e-book, without switching apps and making my game lose focus and pause.

Requirements

• macOS 13.5 or later
• Accessibility permissions (required to send keystrokes to applications)

Installation

1. Download the latest release from the Releases page
2. Move KeyPhantom to your Applications folder
3. Launch KeyPhantom and follow the onscreen instructions to grant Accessibility permissions

Usage

After setting up KeyPhantom, you can create phantom key bindings to send keystrokes to background applications:

1. Open KeyPhantom from your Applications folder
2. Click the keyboard icon in your menu bar to access KeyPhantom
3. Open Settings to configure your phantom key bindings
4. Create a new binding by:
   • Setting a global shortcut. For example, Control + D
   • Recording the key to be sent. For example, Right Arrow
   • Selecting the target application
5. Enable KeyPhantom using the toggle in menu or in the settings panel

Then, whenever you press your global shortcut (For example, Control + D), KeyPhantom will send the recorded key (For example, Right Arrow) to the target application, no matter which app is currently in focus.

Planned Features

KeyPhantom currently supports sending single keyboard events to background applications, but more features are planned for future releases:

• Modifier Key Support: Send complex key combinations with modifier keys
• Scroll Wheel Events: Control scrolling in background applications

Privacy

KeyPhantom requires accessibility permissions to function but does not record or transmit your keystrokes. All operations happen locally on your Mac.

Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please file an issue in the GitHub repository.

License

Copyright © 2025 situ2001. All rights reserved.