How to code from the couch with a game controller

Running Claude Code or Codex in a terminal is mostly reading, approving and talking. None of that needs a desk. With a controller, a Mac and Ottoman, you can do it from the sofa.

What each part of the pad does

Prompts. Hold Triangle and speak. Ottoman holds down Right Command, so set your dictation app's push-to-talk key to Right Command. Your dictation app does the listening, which means accuracy is up to that app. You can also bind a button to start macOS Dictation in the mapper.

Reading. The right stick scrolls the output. The left stick moves the pointer, and holding R2 slows it for precise aim.

Approving. Square is Return, Create is Escape to interrupt, and Circle is Backspace. Hold L2 and press L3 to send Ctrl-C.

Tabs. L1 and R1 go to the previous and next tab with Control-Tab. If your terminal uses another shortcut, change it in the mapper. The D-pad sends arrow keys, handy for history.

Terminal plus browser. Hold L2 and press D-pad left to snap the terminal to the left half of the screen. Do the same with right for the browser. L2 with L1 or R1 switches apps.

Typing. Hold L2 and press R2 for an on-screen keyboard that does not steal focus from the terminal.

What it will not do

Typing long commands with a controller is slow, so plan to talk. Dictation suits plain-English prompts better than code symbols. Ottoman only sends mouse and keyboard input. It does not talk to Claude Code or Codex, and we are not affiliated with Anthropic or OpenAI. Prefer to build your own? See the comparison with the free, open-source option.

Try it on your own Mac

No terminal, no JSON, nothing to build. Download, press a button, done.

Download the free trial

14-day free trial, no account. $29 one time. Refund within 14 days, see the terms.

Questions

Does it work with Claude Code and Codex specifically?

It works with any app, because it presses keys and moves the pointer like a keyboard and mouse would. Nothing in it is specific to either tool.

Do I need a separate dictation app?

For push-to-talk on Triangle, yes: one that lets you pick Right Command as its talk key. Or use the mapper to start macOS Dictation instead.

How do I stop a runaway command?

Hold L2 and press L3 for Ctrl-C. Create sends Escape. If the pad itself is the problem, press the PS button to pause it.

Which controller should I use?

A PlayStation DualSense is the one we test on. Xbox and Switch Pro pads should work but are not yet tested on hardware.