🛡️ Deflector

Deflect the dedicated macOS Search key to a useful frequency.

Deflector is a lightweight, native utility for Apple Silicon Macs. It uses macOS's built-in hidutil to remap the dedicated Search / Magnifying Glass key (Usage Page: Consumer, ID: 0x221) to F19.

This allows you to bind the key to launchers like Raycast, Alfred, or BetterTouchTool while keeping your system clean of heavy third-party drivers.

🧠 The Technical "Why"

Why do I need a script? Can't I just unbind Spotlight?

The dedicated Search key on newer Macs is not a standard keyboard key; it sends a hardware "Consumer Control" signal (0xC00000221) that macOS listens for at the kernel level to trigger Spotlight.

Simply disabling the Spotlight shortcut in System Settings often leaves this key dead or inconsistent. Deflector is necessary because it uses hidutil to intercept this signal at the registry level and "deflect" it to a standard key code (F19) before the OS processes it. This effectively shields the input from macOS's default behavior, giving you a clean, usable key.

📦 Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone [https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/deflector.git](https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/deflector.git)
   cd deflector

2. Make the script executable:

   chmod +x deflector.sh

3. Run the Menu:

   ./deflector.sh

   Select option [1] to engage the persistent mapping.

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⚡ Configuration: Choose Your Priority

Deflector ensures BOTH your physical Search key and the classic Cmd+Space shortcut launch your app. However, macOS Shortcuts introduces a slight execution delay (~300ms).

You must choose which trigger gets "Native Speed" (Instant) and which gets "Emulated Speed" (Slight Delay).

Mode A: Hardware Priority (Recommended)

Choose this if you want the dedicated Search key to be the fastest way to launch.

Trigger	Speed	Setup
Search Key	Instant ⚡	Set your App (Raycast/Alfred) Hotkey to F19.
Cmd + Space	~300ms Delay	Create a Shortcut bound to Cmd+Space that runs extras/forward_toggle.applescript.

Mode B: Classic Priority

Choose this if you rely on Cmd+Space muscle memory and want zero latency there.

Trigger	Speed	Setup
Cmd + Space	Instant ⚡	Set your App (Raycast/Alfred) Hotkey to Cmd + Space.
Search Key	~300ms Delay	Create a Shortcut bound to F19 that runs extras/reverse_toggle.applescript.

Note: Regardless of which mode you choose, ensure the native macOS Spotlight shortcut is disabled in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.

License

MIT License.

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Developed by Dave J. | davesorbit.com