KeyVisualizer

A lightweight on-screen key display for tutorials and recordings. Shows pressed keys in a sleek overlay at the bottom of your screen with the same dark, modern style as the AirCube tray app.

Features

• Real-time key display - Shows keys as you press them with smooth fade-out animation
• Key combinations - Displays shortcuts like Ctrl+S, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Shift+N properly
• Highly configurable - Customize colors, fonts, sizes, positioning, and more
• Flexible positioning - Place overlay at top/bottom, left/center/right of screen
• Preset themes - Quick switch between Dark, Light, Minimal, and Colorful themes
• System tray integration - Runs quietly in the background
• Click-through overlay - Never interferes with your work
• Windows startup - Optional auto-start with Windows

Installation

From Source

1. Install Python 3.8 or higher
2. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Run the application:

   python keyVisualizer.py

Standalone Executable

1. Download the latest release from the releases page
2. Run KeyVisualizer.exe

Building the Executable

Option 1: Just the EXE

To build a standalone .exe file:

python build_exe.py

The executable will be created in the dist folder.

Option 2: Full Windows Installer (Recommended)

To build a complete Windows installer with shortcuts, startup options, and uninstaller:

1. Install Inno Setup (one-time setup):

   • Download from https://jrsoftware.org/isdl.php
   • Install with default options

2. Build the installer:

   python build_installer.py

3. The installer will be created in the installer_output folder as KeyVisualizer_Setup_v1.0.2.exe

The installer will:

• Install KeyVisualizer to Program Files
• Create Start Menu shortcuts
• Optionally create a Desktop shortcut
• Optionally add to Windows startup
• Create an uninstaller

Usage

Action	How
Pause/Resume	Single-click tray icon
Settings	Double-click tray icon, or right-click > Settings
Quit	Right-click tray icon > Quit

Configuration Options

Appearance

Setting	Description
Background color	Bubble background color
Text color	Key text color
Border color	Bubble border color
Show border	Toggle border visibility
Font family	Choose any installed font
Font size	Adjust text size (8-72pt)
Font bold	Toggle bold text

Bubble Size

Setting	Description
Padding	Space around text inside bubble
Min width	Minimum bubble width
Border radius	Corner roundness
Border width	Border thickness

Position

Setting	Description
Horizontal	Left, Center, or Right
Vertical	Top or Bottom
Vertical margin	Distance from screen edge
Horizontal offset	Fine-tune left/right position

Behavior

Setting	Description
Overlay height	Height of the display area
Bubble spacing	Gap between key bubbles
Fade speed	How quickly keys fade out
Max keys shown	Limit visible keys

Startup

Setting	Description
Start minimized	Launch to tray
Start with Windows	Auto-start on login

Supported Keys

All keys are captured and displayed, including:

• Letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9, including numpad)
• Function keys (F1-F12)
• Modifiers (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win)
• Navigation (Arrows, Home, End, PgUp, PgDn)
• Special keys (Space, Enter, Tab, Backspace, etc.)
• Key combinations (Ctrl+S, Alt+F4, Ctrl+Shift+Esc, etc.)

Presets

Quick theme presets available:

Preset	Description
Dark (default)	Dark background (#2b2b2b), white text
Light	White background, dark text
Minimal	Black background, no border
Colorful	Blue accent color

Requirements

• Windows 10/11
• Python 3.8+ (for running from source)

Dependencies

• PyQt6 - GUI framework
• pynput - Global keyboard capture
• PyInstaller - Executable building (optional)

License

Apache License 2.0 - See LICENSE file for details

Credits

Created by StuckAtPrototype