Hey MPUers, curious to hear from StreamDeck users — with powerful software like Keyboard Maestro, Alfred, and others already out there, why do you use StreamDeck?
Looking for inspiration and real use cases. Thanks!
I mostly use it to open different folders in editors for development or writing. Almost all of my buttons are KMLink activating a Keyboard Maestro macro. It’s faster to hit these buttons than to activate the macros another way.
I jumped in thinking this was a Steam Deck thread… 
If it were, my answer would be “because some really good games just aren’t going to get played unless they’re fun handhelds.”
The simplicity of pushing a button to fire off a keyboard maestro macro, AppleScript, launch an app, open a folder, rearrange windows via moom, etc, etc, is very satisfying. That’s why I use the StreamDeck.
I kinda miss the touchbar 
. Customizable button always on your laptop.
That’s why I remapped my Caps Lock key to be a Hyper key: all least 36 (A-Z, 0-9) customizable keys on my laptop.
Result: my Stream Deck is somewhere in the attic…
I mostly use it for kicking off Keyboard Maestro macros. But also opening tabs to specific web pages in Firefox.
I am no longer young enough to remember keyboard shortcuts.
I went with the Rog Ally X and my answer is “those games are not going to play themselves”…
To provide a counter-viewpoint, see this thread: https://talk.macpowerusers.com/t/three-excruciating-days-with-a-new-stream-deck/35841/1
I think the appeal, in some quarters, derives from the name and original application: provide a low-cost alternative to dedicated button/slider/dial consoles used for live production.
Podcasters and video streamers find it extremely useful for “one-man band” live production where having dedicated hardware buttons is much more reliable and less stress / cognitive overload than trying to use keyboard macros or on-screen menus while also “creating content” (i.e. talking, performing live on camera, demonstrating software live, etc.)
It started being using also for one button setup and teardown of live production setups (the apps, folders, screen layouts desired) and that evolved into general productivity use by gadget/geek aficionados which has morphed into yet another alleged productivity tool.
I can see the appeal, but I tried a similar device once and concluded I didn’t really need that level of turn-key automation and one more thing to constantly tweak and twiddle instead of doing the work.
I love my Stream Deck XL.
Thing 1 I love: The buttons can change with every app that is currently frontmost. So menu items that would normally require hunt and peck can be available in one (or sometimes two) button presses.
Thing 2 I love: It can integrate seamlessly with Keyboard Maestro or Better Touch Tool. (As they can with each other)
Thing 3 I love: Speaking of BTT, if you drive the Stream Deck with BTT you have much more customizability. For instance I can have an Omnifocus or Pages set of buttons showing, but if I am also playing a video app I can have buttons for media control showing at the same time. Or debug controls for Keyboard Maestro. (Yeah, it takes some planning but it is sooo sweet when you have it working.)
Similarly, I have audio controls available all the time alongside of whatever app-specific button profile is showing. Thewy allow me to increase or decrease the volume, or mute it, and one shows me the current volume level.
(You may now understand why I’m fond of the XL.)
Yeah, I am a fan.
The key value of a “bunch of buttons” device like a Steam Deck to me is the visual clues to what will happen. And the state of a device.
I do not have a Stream Deck. I do use a “bunch of buttons” device. In my case it is an original iPad Air. A device which would otherwise be in a closet or landfill somewhere.
As I’ve noted elsewhere on this forum, I use Touch Portal.
My most used button launches my ‘Morning Bunch’, which sets my system up for the days work. Or, if it is the weekend, for the days play. (Bunch is awesome.)
I also have buttons to turn on/off office lights, a fan under my desk, and a coffee cup warmer. All via Shortcuts.
I also have buttons to launch VMs for Linux and Windows via Parallels. And web interfaces for Proxmox, Home Assistant, and a Raspberry PI.
And buttons for websites and app forums I visit.
I also have a button that puts my system to sleep for the night.
I can trigger Keyboard Maestro macros, Apple Shortcuts, run Bash and Apple scripts. So it complements other automation tools, enhances rather than replaces.
@andy4222 If you are unsure, there is a iPhone Stream Deck app you can try, to see if such a device would work for you. As @tomalmy notes, it is not for everyone.
But like @arasmus a “bunch of buttons” device is for me.
and me !. I was going to say because I can sit on the sofa.
Is there also a Stream Deck app for iPadOS?
Yes. I picked up a used iPad 7 a year or so ago for a Stream Deck using their app. I can have 96 buttons quite nicely. You could conceivably get 128 but they’d be shrunken down and not using the size of the iPad very well imho.
Historically my main use has been as an amateur radio emergency communicator during severe weather activations. The small 15 button SD allows me to open various web and local resources with a single button push.
I immediately open a couple of live weather radar streams, launch the NWS Slack channel to report information that comes in from people via ham radio, and open various maps on my computer showing surrounding counties and municipalities.
Even though I 'm triggering Keyboard Maestro shortcuts, in an emergency it is nice to have the visual clues of the Stream Deck button images rather than having to remember all the keyboard short cuts I have set up.
I have to say that in my regular activities I’m finding less uses for my Stream Deck now that I am watching the MacSparky Alfred Field Guide (not a paid promotion) and realize what all it can do other than just launch apps.
I use the Streamdeck instead of the dock to switch application, and for turning off the screen on my computer. No matter how much I tried, no other use has stuck.
Instead of a StreamDeck, I use an inexpensive 10-key with my laptop (also works with the number pad on an extended keyboard) and this Keyboard Maestro macro:
The macro switches the functions of the keypad keys automatically with the application or manually (with a popup screen to remind you how they are assigned).
So I use it for frequently called macros in all my applications.