A developer’s coding workflow is sacred. We constantly switch between writing code, testing, compiling, committing, and deploying. Every second of lag or repetitive, dull task in that flow can break our concentration (and our motivation).
Most of us know tools like OtoKeyboard simply for “text expansion.” Sure, OtoKeyboard does that—but it’s so much more. It’s a full-fledged Swiss Army knife that can automate your entire workflow, run command scripts, and even click buttons in programs that don’t have an API.
Today, we’re diving into the 5 ultimate features that make OtoKeyboard a developer’s best friend and will fundamentally change your coding workflow.
Table of Contents:
- 1. Kill Boilerplate with “Text Expansion” and {{prompt}}
- 2. Launch Scripts & Tools Instantly for a Better Coding Workflow
- 3. Automate the Un-Automatable with “Image Action”
- 4. Master Repetitive UI Tasks with the “Macro Recorder”
- 5. Combine Your Entire Workflow with “Chained Actions”
1. Kill Boilerplate with “Text Expansion” and {{prompt}}
We all re-type for...loops or the basic import lines for a React component. OtoKeyboard‘s Text Expansion feature handles this more intelligently than just a hotkey. You don’t need a key combination. You just type a keyword and press Space or Enter.
For example, typing clog and hitting Space could become console.log();.
But here’s where the magic starts: Dynamic Variables. You can create a template and have OtoKeyboard ask you for input.
Pro-Tip: Use {{prompt}}
Imagine creating an expansion rule for a new React component. Your keyword is rcomp. The content could be:
import React from 'react';const {{prompt:Enter Component Name}} = () => { return ( <div> </div> );};export default {{prompt:Enter Component Name}};When you type rcomp and press Space, OtoKeyboard will show you a box asking for the “Component Name”. The moment you type it, that text is populated in both places. This is far more powerful than static snippets and a real boost to your coding workflow.
2. Launch Scripts & Tools Instantly for a Better Coding Workflow
As a developer, countless times a day we open a terminal, run git push, npm run build, or execute a custom powershell script. OtoKeyboard‘s Run Command action lets you assign any of these to a single hotkey.
This feature is incredibly secure. OtoKeyboard only runs whitelisted, safe system commands (calc, notepad, powershell, cmd, taskmgr, services.msc, etc.) or the absolute file paths you specify.
CTRL+ALT+B:powershell.exe -File "C:\Scripts\build-my-project.ps1"CTRL+SHIFT+G:https://github.com/KarexiDEV/OtoKeyboard(Yes, it opens URLs too)F10:explorer C:\Projects
This simple feature drastically cleans up a messy coding workflow.
3. Automate the Un-Automatable with “Image Action”
Sometimes, we’re forced to work with a legacy database client, a custom admin panel, or an old IDE that has no plugin support or API. This is where OtoKeyboard‘s “genius” feature comes in: Image Action.
This feature finds an image you specify (e.g., a “Login” button) on your screen and clicks it. The code uses an advanced multiscale image search algorithm, meaning it works even if the screen resolution or scaling is slightly different.
Furthermore, it’s not just a click; it’s a command chain. You can do this:
{image:uploads/query-button.png} {leftclick} {type:SELECT * FROM users} {enter}
OtoKeyboard will first find the “query-button.png” image, left-click it, then type the text, and finally press Enter. This removes the boundaries of automation for any developer productivity stack.
4. Master Repetitive UI Tasks with the “Macro Recorder”
Sometimes you don’t know the exact command; you just know you have to make the same boring change across 10 files. The Macro Recorder is for exactly that.
Hit CTRL+1 to record, perform your mouse movements and keystrokes, and hit CTRL+1 to stop. Now, every time you press CTRL+2, that exact sequence of events will play back perfectly.
Whether you’re in a modern editor like VS Code (our external link) or a legacy program, the Macro Recorder is perfect for automating repetitive UI interactions. You can even edit the macro steps after recording to change delays or remove incorrect keystrokes. This is a huge boost to any coding workflow.
5. Combine Your Entire Workflow with “Chained Actions”
This is the “boss level” where all features combine. OtoKeyboard‘s Chained Actions feature lets you string together multiple hotkeys under a single trigger.
Imagine your “end of day” coding workflow:
- You commit and push your code.
- You open the Pull Request page.
- You open your company’s timesheet software.
- You lock your computer.
With OtoKeyboard, you can save these as 4 separate hotkeys (1 Command, 1 URL, 1 Command, 1 System Action) and then link them into a single Chained Action.
When you press CTRL+ALT+END (The Trigger):
- Action 1 runs: (e.g., Your
git pushcommand) - It waits: (e.g., 10 seconds, using “Fixed Delay”)
- Action 2 runs: (e.g., Your URL command to open the PR page)
- It waits: (e.g., 2 seconds, using “Custom Delay”)
- Action 3 runs: (e.g., The
sys_lockSystem Action)
You can even set this chain to Loop “Infinitely” or “50 Times”. This is a full-blown automation studio, not just a hotkey tool.
Summary: Your New Best Friend
An efficient coding workflow is built on one thing: focus. OtoKeyboard gives you back your most valuable assets—time and focus—by eliminating repetitive tasks, demoting commands to a single hotkey, and even taming UIs that seemed impossible to automate.
If you haven’t already, download OtoKeyboard now and start automating your first script today. And don’t forget to check our other automation tips on our blog!