BetterDisplay KVM

A Rust-based KVM switch utility for BetterDisplay that utilizes the betterdisplaycli.

How it works

This works by using the BetterDisplay app and CLI to issues commands to your monitor when a configured USB devices is connected/disconnected via the betterdisplay-kvm rust program. This uses the DDC/CI protocols to send commands directly to your monitor.

With the single press of a button you can switch over to you gaming PC or macBook seamlessly.

Diagram

Why not use a KVM?

Because they don’t support high refresh rates without spending an ungodly amount of money.

Config

# the USB device you'd like watch for
usb_device_id = "046d:c547"
# id that betterdisplaycli uses to configure input
system_one_input = 15
# id that betterdisplaycli uses to configure input
system_two_input = 18
# log level
log_level = "debug"
# if you use an lg monitor that doesnt follow the spec this might work if you enable it
ddc_alt = false

Development

RUST_LOG=debug cargo watch -x run

Install

Run the ./install.sh and it will install a LaunchAgent and start the program.

Uninstall

Run the ./uninstall.sh and it remove the program and clean everything up.

Roadmap

• add a config system so others can use it
• add some setup guide for adding a launch agent
• fix the hardcoded bin to betterdisplaycli from homebrew
• publish it to crates.io so you can just install from there
• codesign the bin for people wanting to use outside of homebrew