Keyviz

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Keyviz is an open-source, cross-platform (Windows/macOS) keystroke and mouse visualization tool. It falls under the technical category of real-time input display software, capturing and rendering keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks, and scroll actions as on-screen overlays during screen-sharing sessions.
2. Core Value Proposition: Keyviz exists to enhance audience engagement during presentations by transparently displaying user inputs. Its primary purpose is to demystify complex keyboard shortcuts and workflows in real time, eliminating guesswork for viewers during tutorials, coding streams, or remote collaborations.

Main Features

1. Real-Time Input Visualization:
   Keyviz captures low-level system inputs via OS-native APIs (e.g., Win32 Hooks on Windows, Cocoa on macOS) and renders them as customizable on-screen overlays. It processes keystrokes (e.g., ⌘K), mouse clicks, and scroll events with <50ms latency, ensuring synchronization with user actions.
2. Endless Customization Engine:
   Users modify visual elements through JSON configuration files or GUI settings. Adjustable parameters include keycap size (px), border radius, background/foreground colors, icon sets (e.g., Unicode symbols), and opacity. CSS-like styling allows granular control over every UI component.
3. Privacy-First Architecture:
   All input processing occurs locally via client-side execution. Zero data is transmitted externally, leveraging offline event listeners to ensure keystrokes/mouse actions never leave the device.
4. Input Filtering & Hotkeys:
   Supports regex-based filtering to exclude specific keys (e.g., passwords) or highlight only predefined shortcuts. Users define activation/deactivation hotkeys (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+K) to toggle visibility during streams.
5. Mouse Tracking & Animations:
   Visualizes left/right clicks, scroll direction, and wheel movements with animated indicators (e.g., ripple effects). Pro version adds 3 animated mouse styles and exit/entry effects (e.g., fade, slide) configurable via easing functions.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Audiences lose context during screen-shares when presenters use invisible keyboard shortcuts, causing confusion and reduced comprehension.
2. Target Audience:
   • Educators/Content Creators: Streamers (Twitch/YouTube), online course instructors, and workshop hosts.
   • Developers: Software engineers demonstrating IDE shortcuts (e.g., VSCode, IntelliJ).
   • Remote Teams: UX designers collaborating on Figma, or support agents guiding clients via screen-share.
3. Use Cases:
   • Live coding sessions where Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V shortcuts need explicit visibility.
   • Product demos showcasing complex SaaS platform hotkeys.
   • Accessibility support for viewers learning keyboard navigation.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike paid alternatives (e.g., Carnac), Keyviz is 100% open-source (MIT License), community-driven, and offers comparable features without subscriptions. It outperforms basic OBS plugins with native OS integration and lower resource usage (<2% CPU).
2. Key Innovation:
   • Dynamic Input Parsing: Translates raw keycodes into human-readable symbols (e.g., ⇧ for Shift) across Windows/macOS layouts.
   • Extensible Styling Engine: Pro version’s animation system uses hardware-accelerated rendering (WebGL) for smooth 60fps overlays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Keyviz safe for privacy-sensitive tasks?
   Yes, Keyviz processes all inputs locally and never transmits data online, making it safe for use with sensitive applications.
2. Can Keyviz display custom keyboard shortcuts like VSCode commands?
   Absolutely. Use input filtering to show only specific key combinations (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+P), hiding irrelevant keystrokes during demos.
3. Does Keyviz support Linux or mobile devices?
   Currently, Keyviz is exclusive to Windows and macOS. Linux isn’t supported due to driver limitations.
4. What’s the difference between Keyviz Free and Pro?
   Pro adds advanced mouse indicators, 3 exclusive animations, and caption displays for complex shortcuts, priced at a one-time $14 fee.
5. How does Keyviz handle multiple keyboard layouts (e.g., QWERTY vs. AZERTY)?
   Keyviz auto-detects system layouts and adapts key labels dynamically, ensuring accurate visual representation globally.