Open Source Rust Hotkey Tools

Windows Virtual Desktop Helper is a free, open-source Windows utility for managing virtual desktops through system tray indicators, overlays, and keyboard shortcuts. It displays the active desktop number or name initial directly in the taskbar notification area. Users can navigate between desktops or open Task View through convenient tray controls. Custom global shortcuts enable switching to numbered desktops, adjacent desktops, or recently visited workspaces. Desktop change notifications and persistent overlays provide visual feedback across multiple monitors. Its WinUI 3 settings interface supports shortcut recording, overlay previews, and light and dark themes. Built with Rust, the application offers portable execution, automatic startup, and recovery after Windows Explorer restarts.

komokana is a Windows background utility that automatically switches keyboard layers according to the application currently in focus. It integrates with the komorebi window manager and the kanata keyboard remapping engine. Users define application-specific keyboard layouts through a YAML configuration file. When the active window changes, komokana instructs kanata to activate the corresponding layer. Rules can also examine window titles to apply different layouts within the same application. Virtual key overrides provide additional control over keyboard behavior. The utility communicates through named pipes and TCP connections. It automatically attempts to reconnect when dependent processes become unavailable. komokana is designed for keyboard-driven Windows workflows.

IsuDeck by rootcf is a free, high-performance, and open-source desktop studio that repurposes any spare secondary USB keyboard, wireless numpad, or macro keypad into a fully isolated control console. While commercial macro consoles cost hundreds of dollars with limited physical keys, IsuDeck unlocks 104+ macro keys from hardware you already own with ZERO additional hardware cost. Standard Windows behavior merges all attached keyboards into one input stream. IsuDeck uses a low-level Interception kernel filter driver to isolate your secondary keyboard by its unique Hardware ID (HID). Keystrokes are swallowed at the OS level before reaching games, documents, or active windows—leaving your main keyboard and gameplay 100% uninterrupted.