Deskflow

Application Overview

Deskflow is a free, open-source keyboard and mouse sharing software. It allows you to use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of one computer to seamlessly control multiple nearby computers. Its core functionality is similar to a software-based KVM switch, but it only manages input devices and does not involve video signal transmission.

Core Features

1. Cross-Computer Input Control

   • Use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of a master computer as a unified input device to control multiple slave computers on a local network.
   • The mouse cursor can smoothly move across different computer screens, enabling seamless cross-device workflows.

2. Comprehensive Cross-Platform Support

   • Supported Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix-like BSD derivatives.
   • Specific System Requirements:
     • Windows: Requires Windows 10 v1809 or higher.
     • macOS: Intel Macs require macOS 12 or higher; Apple Silicon Macs using CI build require macOS 13 or higher.
     • Linux: Server/client requires libei 1.3+ and libportal 0.8+; GUI requires Qt 6.7+.
     • Wayland Support: Compatible with the latest Linux display protocol.

3. Security and Data Transfer

   • TLS Encryption Enabled by Default: Ensures all communication between computers is encrypted for secure data transfer.
   • Clipboard Sharing: Supports synchronized clipboard content sharing across computers, greatly improving cross-device copy-paste efficiency.

4. Open and Customizable

   • Released under the GPL-2.0 open-source license with fully open source code.
   • Provides detailed build instructions, enabling advanced users to compile from source.

Key Advantages

• Completely Free and Open Source: No licensing fees required; community-driven development.
• Hardware KVM Replacement: Saves cost of purchasing physical KVM switches, especially suitable for multi-computer workstations.
• Boosts Productivity: Eliminates the hassle of switching seats or manually plugging/unplugging devices between computers, maintaining workflow continuity.
• Flexible Configuration: Supports mixed operating system environments, adapting to complex development or work setups.
• Active Community: Has a friendly developer and user community providing support and discussions via Matrix, IRC, and GitHub.

Special Notes for macOS Users

• Recommended Installation Method: Use Homebrew with homebrew-tap for easy management and updates.

  brew install --cask deskflow
  

• Application Signing Issue: Since it is not notarized with Apple certificates, macOS may report the app as "damaged." This can be resolved by clearing the quarantine attribute via terminal:

  xattr -c /Applications/Deskflow.app
  

• System Requirements: Ensure your macOS version meets the above requirements.

Getting Started and Contributions

For users interested in contributing code, reporting issues, or joining discussions, the project maintains active community channels on Matrix (#deskflow:matrix.org), Libera Chat IRC (#deskflow), and GitHub.

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Summary: Deskflow is a powerful software solution for users who need to efficiently switch between multiple Macs or computers running other operating systems. It enables centralized control of input devices via software, offering security, cost-free access, and broad compatibility—making it an ideal tool for optimizing multi-device workspaces.