dirpad

Headless macOS tool that converts trackpad gestures to arrow keys. Hold a modifier, slide the trackpad, move the cursor.

Requirements

• macOS 15.1+
• Accessibility permission (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility)

Usage

1. Launch dirpad (runs as a background process, no dock icon)
2. Grant accessibility permission when prompted
3. Hold the trigger key (default: ⌥ Option) and slide the trackpad
4. Trackpad movement becomes arrow key events

Configuration

All settings are stored in UserDefaults. Configure via defaults write:

# Trigger key: Shift, Command, Option, or Control
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad hotkey "Option"

# Sensitivity (1-10, higher = more sensitive)
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad sensitivity -float 5.0

# Enabled axes: off, horizontal, vertical, both
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad enabledAxes "both"

# Default movement mode: normal or word
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad movementMode "normal"

# Always enable selection (adds Shift modifier)
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad enableSelection -bool false

# Haptic feedback
defaults write com.sryo.dirpad enableHapticFeedback -bool true

Dynamic Modifiers

Hold secondary modifiers alongside the trigger for different movement modes:

Trigger	+ nothing	+ ⌃	+ ⇧	+ ⌃ ⇧
Any	chars	word	select	word + select

Exception: If ⌃ Control is the trigger, use ⌥ Option for word mode instead.