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VibePad

VibePad

Control AI coding assistants with a gamepad from your couch

Website vibepad.now
Overview

What it is

VibePad is a free macOS menu bar app that maps your gamepad to keyboard shortcuts. Built for AI coding tools like Claude Code and Codex where the workflow is mostly Accept, Reject, Scroll, Navigate and Dictate. X - approve, O - reject, L2 trigger = hold-to-talk dictation, Right stick = scroll. Config is a JSON file if you want to remap anything. Native Swift. Open source. No account, no subscription, no catch. The idea started as a joke - then I built most of VibePad using VibePad itself.

Intent

I need it when

Dictate code and prompts naturally without typing

VibePad provides voice-to-text input via L2 trigger hold, enabling users to dictate prompts and code naturally using their preferred transcription tool integrated with Claude Code

Control an AI coding assistant hands-free while maintaining comfort during long coding sessions

VibePad maps gamepad buttons to AI chat controls, allowing users to accept/cancel suggestions, submit prompts, and manage chat without touching the keyboard, enabling comfortable code generation from a relaxed position

Navigate and manage code suggestions efficiently with minimal hand movement

VibePad's D-pad and analog sticks enable tab navigation, cursor movement, scrolling, and app switching with adjustable sensitivity, allowing rapid interaction with AI suggestions and code output

Paste code and images as context into AI prompts without manual formatting

VibePad's Smart Paste auto-detects clipboard content and pastes images as visual context or text as code, eliminating manual formatting steps when providing context to the AI assistant

Customize input controls to match personal coding workflow and preferences

VibePad offers full button remapping via JSON config, custom layers, dead zone adjustment, and a second command layer accessible via L1, enabling users to tailor every control to their specific workflow

Drop

Not a fit when

  • User does not own a compatible gamepad (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, MFi, or generic HID controller)
  • User works on Windows or Linux systems (macOS 14+ required)
  • User prefers keyboard and mouse interaction for coding tasks
  • User does not use Claude Code or Codex CLI as their AI coding assistant
  • User has accessibility needs that require traditional input methods rather than gamepad controls
Commercials

Pricing

Free download available; pricing model unclear