Controller Mappings

Controller Mappings

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SteamShell provides a couch-friendly “controller mouse mode” that activates only while holding View/Back.

Controller support (XInput)

SteamShell’s controller layer uses XInput, which means it works best with Xbox-class controllers (Xbox One/Series, many XInput-compatible pads). If your controller is DirectInput-only (older/PS-style without an XInput mode), SteamShell may not see it unless it can present itself as XInput (e.g., via a driver/mode switch).

Tip: if Windows shows it as an Xbox controller in “Game Controllers”, it’s usually XInput.

Default behavior (always when View/Back is held)

• Right stick: mouse movement (RT often acts as “fast” movement depending on config)
• Left stick: scroll wheel behavior (rate-limited)
• D-pad: arrow keys

Configurable buttons (Short + Long)

• A, B, X, Y
• LB, RB, LT, RT
• Start/Menu
• L3, R3

Mappings can be:

• Builtin actions (LeftClick, RightClick, Enter, Esc, AltF4, TabTip, OSK, WinG, TaskManager, None)
• Recorded shortcuts (Send-style chords captured via the Mapping UI)

Default mappings (out of the box)

These are the default Short/Long actions for the editable buttons while holding View/Back.

Button	Short press	Long press
RB	Left click	None
RT	Right click	None
LT	Ctrl+Shift+O	Ctrl+Shift+F
LB	Ctrl+Alt+Tab	Task Manager
A	Enter	None
B	Esc	Alt+F4
X	Touch keyboard (TabTip)	On‑Screen Keyboard (OSK)
Y	Win+G (Game Bar)	None
Start/Menu	None	None
L3	None	None
R3	None	None

Notes:

• Stick + D‑pad behavior is fixed: Right stick = mouse, Left stick = scroll, D‑pad = arrows.
• You can change any Short/Long action from the Mapping UI (Control Panel → Controller Mapping).

Mapping UI

Open from the Control Panel → “Controller Mapping”.

• Edit Short/Long actions per button
• Record keyboard shortcuts without typing
• Save to SteamShellSettings.ini under [ControllerMap]

Known UX limitation (recording)

While recording a shortcut, Windows will also receive the keypress (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+Tab will show the switcher while capturing). The recorder will still capture the shortcut correctly.