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First-time setup

This guide starts with a new Codex Micro or Creator Micro 2 on a Mac.

Check these before changing Input

  • A Codex Micro or Creator Micro 2
  • A USB data cable for the first setup, or an already paired Bluetooth connection
  • Work Louder Input with the Micro visible
  • Claude Desktop with the Code view available
  • Aqua Voice if you want the two voice buttons
  • Apple's command-line developer tools to build Codex Micro Bridge
  • Permission to change Accessibility and Input Monitoring in macOS System Settings

If swift --version fails in Terminal, install Apple's tools with:

xcode-select --install

1. Connect the Micro

Install the latest Work Louder Input release from the official Creator Micro 2 setup page. Connect the Micro with a data cable for the first setup. A charging-only cable will not work.

Open Input and confirm that the device appears before changing any keys.

2. Protect Layer 1

Layer 1 contains the built-in Codex App controls.

Before editing anything:

  1. Select Layer 1 and confirm that the Codex session buttons still appear.
  2. Do not change Layer 1.
  3. Press + beside the layer list to create Layer 2 if it does not exist.
  4. Make all Claude Desktop changes on Layer 2.

The touch sensor at the lower-left edge of the Micro moves between layers. The small LEDs show the current layer.

3. Add the Claude Desktop keys

Open Claude Desktop controls beside Input and enter one row at a time. Test each row before moving to the next.

Use Basic keys unless the table says otherwise. Do not edit Input's saved JSON file directly. Input must write the setting to the device.

4. Make the voice buttons act like Fn

The current Layer 2 sends Caps Lock from both voice buttons. macOS then changes Caps Lock from this device into the Globe/Fn key.

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Open Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts, then Modifier Keys.
  3. Choose the Creator Micro keyboard in the device menu.
  4. Change Caps Lock key to Globe key.
  5. Leave your Mac's built-in keyboard unchanged.

In Aqua Voice:

  • Holding Fn keeps recording while the key is held.
  • Pressing Fn twice keeps recording after you release it.

Test this before setting the remaining buttons. If Caps Lock appears in text or changes capitalization, the macOS modifier setting is on the wrong keyboard.

5. Install Codex Micro Bridge

In Terminal, open this repository and run:

./scripts/install.sh

The script builds the app, places it in ~/Applications, and creates a startup entry.

When macOS asks, allow Codex Micro Bridge in:

  • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
  • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring

If it is not listed, add this app manually:

~/Applications/Codex Micro Bridge.app

Before using the device, start the Bridge once from Terminal:

"$HOME/Applications/Codex Micro Bridge.app/Contents/MacOS/codex-micro-bridge"

Continue only when the first line says both Accessibility: true and Input Monitoring: true. Press Control-C to stop this test copy, then start the normal background copy:

./scripts/restart.sh

Run ./scripts/diagnose.sh again. It should say the Bridge is running. If it does not, return to the two permission lists before pressing any Layer 2 session key.

The included build script gives the Bridge an update-stable local signature. Once the current app has been allowed, normal rebuilds from this repository should not require permission repair each time.

6. Check the full path

Run:

./scripts/diagnose.sh

Then check these actions on the device:

  1. Keep Claude Desktop in front and press Session 1 through Session 6 once each.
  2. Put another app in front and press one session twice quickly. Claude Desktop should come forward.
  3. Press both voice buttons and confirm Aqua Voice starts without typing Caps Lock.
  4. Press Send and confirm the current message is sent.
  5. Turn the dial after clicking once in the Claude conversation area.
  6. Move the joystick upper-left and upper-right and confirm the model changes.
  7. Move it lower-left and lower-right and confirm the Claude session changes backward and forward.

Do not mark a control as working only because Input displays it. Test the action in Claude Desktop.

If a display or brightness panel opens, stop pressing the key. The Bridge is not receiving it. See Troubleshooting.