# MacroPad: reconstructing a USB macropad configuration protocol

> MacroPad reconstructs the USB HID configuration exchange of a 12-key, two-knob macropad identified as 1189:8840 and implements it in a Linux GUI. The author documents capturing MINI_KEYBOARD.exe traffic with usbmon, decoding configuration and commit reports, and replaying captured packets in tests.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-06
- Original resource: <https://github.com/Probler-Yt/MacroPad>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/Probler-Yt/MacroPad/blob/2b75543c74727427ea4f3cc1d3c720fbd56fc438/docs/protocol.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/macropad-usb-protocol-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/macropad-usb-protocol-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/macropad-usb-protocol-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Linux, Python 3.9+ and the 1189:8840 macropad are documented for the supported configuration path.
- **Limits:** Other pad IDs are reported as unsupported until their layout and protocol are added.
- **License:** GPL-3.0 license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/Probler-Yt/MacroPad/blob/2b75543c74727427ea4f3cc1d3c720fbd56fc438/docs/protocol.md>
2. <https://github.com/Probler-Yt/MacroPad/blob/2b75543c74727427ea4f3cc1d3c720fbd56fc438/README.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.