Slack from a game controller
The Slack layout is built into InputConfig, free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.
On a Mac: The Slack app for Mac reads its default shortcuts from this layout while it is in front. Nothing to enable.
Yes, you can keep up with Slack from a game controller on a Mac. Command K on the big button opens Jump To, the D-pad walks your unread channels, and a dictation button writes the reply. Slack is mostly reading, and reading is scrolling and jumping.
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Jump anywhere. Jump To (Command K) on the bottom face button.
- Walk the unreads. D-pad up and down go to the previous and next unread channel (Option Shift Up and Down Arrow).
- Copy and paste. On the right and left face buttons.
- Read and close. The left stick is a pointer, the right stick scrolls, the right trigger clicks, and Escape on Options marks the channel read.
The Slack app reads these shortcuts while it is in front. The D-pad walks your unreads, one channel per press.
Tune it for Slack
- Dictation. On a bumper; Return sends.
- Mark all as read. Put Shift Escape on the other bumper.
- React. Command Shift Backslash opens the reaction picker for the last message. Then the pointer.
- Huddle mute. Command Shift Space toggles your microphone in a huddle. The touchpad press, or the DualSense mute button.
Huddle mute needs Slack in front. The physical mute button page compares the call apps. Dictation and Return turn reading into replying.
The short version
- Jump To and the D-pad. That covers getting around.
- Add dictation. Then reply and press Return.
- Mark all read. Press Shift Escape when you come back from a day away.
Discord and Teams have their own entries for calls. Enough to keep up with Slack from a sofa.
Get it in two clicks
- Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
- Search for Slack and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
- Press Activate. Every row can be changed afterwards: the editor's Scan button rebinds any control the moment you touch it.
Every binding, as a table
| Controller | Sends | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick left | Mouse motion left (speed 16) | Cursor left |
| Left stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 16) | Cursor right |
| Left stick up | Mouse motion up (speed 16) | Cursor up |
| Left stick down | Mouse motion down (speed 16) | Cursor down |
| Right stick down | Scroll down | Scroll down |
| Right stick up | Scroll up | Scroll up |
| Right trigger | Left click | Click |
| A / Cross | Command (Left), K | Jump to (Cmd+K) |
| D-pad up | Alt / Option (Left), Shift (Left), Up | Previous unread |
| D-pad down | Alt / Option (Left), Shift (Left), Down | Next unread |
| B / Circle | Command (Left), C | Copy |
| X / Square | Command (Left), V | Paste |
| Start / Options | Escape | Close / Esc |
Button names follow the Xbox / PlayStation pair shown in the editor, so A / Cross is the bottom face button on either pad. On a Switch Pro Controller the bottom button is labeled B; the mapping still fires on position.
Questions
Can I send Slack messages with a controller?
With dictation for the text and Return to send, yes.
Does the huddle mute work when Slack is in the background?
No, Slack needs to be in front. The physical mute button page compares the call apps.
Related
Completely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.
Updated