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An iPad becomes a control surface

ConsolePad

An iPad turned into a hardware-style console for a Mac: dials, faders, keys, LED screens, app launchers and window switchers on a grid you design.

Status
In development
Started
For
App · Mac and iPad users · Runs on your own devices
Runs on
iPadOS 26 and macOS 15
Built with
Swift 6.2, SwiftUI, AppKit, App Intents, Local TLS pairing

Not released yet. This page follows it as it's built.

A ConsolePad layout on iPad: a now-playing screen, volume and timeline dials, play controls, shortcut keys and a timer

The project

About ConsolePad

A small menu-bar companion on the Mac, the ConsolePad Agent, carries out only the controls you approve, over an authenticated connection on your local network. There is no account and no server. The iPad app has a console editor with finishes, pages, per-app decks and an offline demo; the Mac Agent adds pairing, per-iPad permissions, Siri and Shortcuts actions and an optional local bridge for AI assistants.

iPad console · Mac Agent · Siri and Shortcuts · local only

Learning by building

Questions it’s working on

  1. A pairing and permission protocol that lets a tablet act on a computer only when it is allowed to.
  2. Touch controls that feel physical, from one shared design system of finishes, materials and motion.
  3. One layout model that reflows across landscape, portrait and the Mac editor.
  4. Siri and AI assistants using the same reviewed requests as the console itself.

A look inside

A light ConsolePad layout with dials, play controls and shortcut keys
A console layout in the light finish.
The same ConsolePad layout in a dark finish
The same layout in the dark finish.
ConsolePad with brass dials and walnut-toned keys
Finishes change the materials, not the layout.
A ConsolePad deck with a trackpad, a full keyboard, an audio meter and a colour pad
A creator deck with a trackpad, keyboard and meters.
The ConsolePad Agent overview on the Mac, waiting for a paired iPad
The Mac Agent, where pairing and permissions live.

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