PTHKD

Pro Tools Hot Key Daemon

Free Beta

A powerful background daemon for macOS that creates custom hotkey bindings for Pro Tools, Soundminer, and system automation. Control your audio workflow with precision-mapped keyboard commands.

Download v2026.4.29 View Documentation

Beta Software — Free to use, provided as-is. Generate a starter config from the menu bar icon, then edit the JSON file (no GUI editor). See configuration guide below.

Pro Tools Integration

Direct API control via gRPC for instant, reliable command execution.

Soundminer Control

Automated file spotting and database navigation with customizable parameters.

JSON Configuration

Human-readable config file. Generate it from the menu bar, edit, then reload instantly.

Stream Deck Integration

Auto-installs a Stream Deck plugin. Trigger your existing commands or build new ones — no keyboard required.

What It Does

PTHKD intercepts keyboard and MIDI events — and Stream Deck presses — and triggers powerful actions in Pro Tools, Soundminer, and your operating system. Built in Zig for speed and reliability, it gives you complete control over your audio post-production workflow.

Custom hotkey bindings for Pro Tools editing operations
Direct integration with Soundminer for file spotting
Bind a hotkey to any menu item in any supported app — build whatever you need
System-level automation and UI control
Application-specific hotkeys with window filtering
Trigger actions from MIDI notes as well as the keyboard
Stream Deck plugin — run your commands from a button, no keyboard needed
Multi-tap key sequences for cycling through AudioSuite plugins
Crossfade automation with customizable presets
Hot-reload configuration without restart

Configuration Guide

PTHKD is configured via a JSON file at ~/Library/Application Support/pthkd/config.json. Generate a starter file from the menu bar icon (⚡ → Export Config), edit it, then apply it with ⚡ → Reload Config File.

No config file required for Stream Deck. If editing JSON isn't your thing, you don't have to touch it. The Stream Deck plugin lets you browse, build, and fully configure commands right in the Stream Deck app — point, click, pick an action, fill in the options. The examples below are for people who want fine-grained control; they're completely optional.

Basic Hotkey Structure

{
  "name": "Crossfade with Automation",
  "key": "f",
  "modifiers": ["cmd", "ctrl"],
  "apps": ["Protools"],
  "window": "EDIT",
  "command": {
    "protools": { "edit": { "crossfade": {} } }
  }
}

key — A single trigger key (e.g. "f", "keypad_plus")
modifiers — Array: cmd, opt, ctrl, shift, hyper
apps / window — Optional app & window filters
command — The nested action object

App Control & System

{
  "name": "Toggle New Old Timeline",
  "key": "y",
  "modifiers": ["hyper"],
  "apps": ["Protools", "Matchbox"],
  "command": {
    "macos": {
      "app": "Matchbox",
      "command": "click_menu",
      "menu_path": ["Reconform",
                    "Jump DAW between Old / New"]
    }
  }
}

macos.click_menu — click any menu item in any app
Also: launch, quit, press_button, set_checkbox, applescript
config — Reload, Export, ExportJson, Open

Pro Tools Actions

{
  "name": "Solo Only Selected Tracks",
  "key": "s",
  "modifiers": ["cmd", "shift"],
  "apps": ["Protools"],
  "command": {
    "protools": { "track": { "solo": "Selected" } }
  }
}

protools.edit — Crossfades, trims, conform, heal
protools.track — Solo, minimize
protools.marker — Navigation, quick markers
protools.plugin — AudioSuite render/preview

Soundminer Actions

{
  "name": "Spot to Pro Tools",
  "key": "s",
  "modifiers": ["ctrl"],
  "apps": ["Protools"],
  "command": {
    "soundminer": {
      "send_to_daw": {
        "daw": "Protools",
        "spot_as_region": true
      }
    }
  }
}

daw — Protools, Reaper, Rx, None
command — "Spot To DAW", "Bring Into DAW"
reference_original — Use original files
spot_as_region — Create as region