
Welcome to Keyboard Maestro 9
The best way to get to know Keyboard Maestro is to see it in action.
If you’re new to Keyboard Maestro, try the Tutorial to see how you can create a simple macro in just a few steps.
What can I help you with?
- I need help getting started…
- Something unexpected is happening…
- Something expected is not happening…
- I want to do something, but I don’t know how…
- I need help with my License or Purchase…
Back ◀
Getting Started
The best way to start using Keyboard Maestro is to start small and then grow your macros organically, beginning with simple macros before progressing to more complex solutions.
Start by:
- Reading the Quick Start ▸
- Doing the Tutorial ▸
- Growing your macros slowly in both number and complexity.
- Joining the forum ▸ and asking for help if you get stuck.
- If you are transitioning from QuicKeys…
Back ◀
Transitioning from QuicKeys
Keyboard Maestro and QuicKeys are very different, and this can be a bit jarring initially, but frequently people end up asking “Why didn’t I switch sooner?”. Hopefully your experience will be similar.
You should read the Transitioning from QuicKeys article for some tips, and also read the Quick Start article to understand the different parts that make up Keyboard Maestro and how they work together, as well as to become familiar with the terminology used in Keyboard Maestro.
Start by:
- Reading the Transitioning from QuicKeys article ▸
- Reading the Quick Start ▸
- Doing the Tutorial ▸
- Joining the forum ▸ and asking for help if you get stuck.
Back ◀
Help Creating Macros
If you have not yet created some macros, read the Quick Start to learn the terminology and do the Tutorial which shows you how to create a simple macro.
After that, check out the wiki if you like reference material, or the forum if you like solutions. Ask on the forum if you need help making a macro to solve any particular problem or for advice on controlling specific applications.
- Quick Start ▸
- Tutorial ▸
- Wiki ▸
- Forum ▸
Back ◀
License
Keyboard Maestro is free for about a month and then you must purchase a license to continue using it. Keyboard Maestro is licensed on a per user basis on up to five Macs, so for example, if it is just you using it, you can use a single license on a desktop and a laptop.
When you purchase Keyboard Maestro, you are licensed for that major version. Each new major version has required a discounted upgrade purchase (unless you purchased shortly before the release). Ongoing upgrade fees ensures that we are working as much for you as to attract new customers and is an important part of the feedback loop that means Keyboard Maestro continues to grow in value to you.
- License or Upgrade Enquiry ▸
- Purchase a New License ▸
- Revert to a Previous Version ▸
- Contact Support ▸
Back ◀
Something Unexpected
Generally Keyboard Maestro will only do what you tell it to do, but sometimes that can still result in something you don’t expect happening.
Start by:
- Quit the Engine ▸
- If the issue persists, it might not be Keyboard Maestro.
- Launch the Engine ▸
- If the issue returns, check the recently executed macros:
None Yet
Macro 1 ▸
Macro 2 ▸
Macro 3 ▸
- Ask on the Forum ▸ or Contact Support ▸
Back ◀
Something Not Happening
Let’s check Keyboard Maestro’s status:
- Is the Engine running? ✓ The Engine is running. ✗ Engine is not running ▸
- Is the Engine configured to Launch at Login? ✓ The Engine will launch at login. ✗ Engine is not set to launch at login. ▸
- Can I communicate with the Engine? ✓ I can communicate with Engine. ✗ I cannot communicate with Engine. ▸
- Is Translocation Security a problem? ✓ Translocation Security looks OK. ✗ Translocation Security is a problem. ▸
- Is Secure Input Mode a problem? ✓ Secure Input Mode looks OK. ✗ Secure Input Mode is a problem. ▸
- Is Accessibility Permissions a problem? ✓ Accessibility Permissions look OK. ✗ Accessibility Permissions are a problem. ▸
- Checking… Continue ▸ Retry
Back ◀
Accessibility in Mojave/Catalina
If macro actions that type keys, Copy, Paste, select menus, or otherwise interact with the user interface are failing, or triggers like the Hot Key trigger cannot be set to a typed key or the Typed String trigger does not work, then you are probably being bitten by the Mojave (and unfixed in Catalina) accessibility permission bug.
You will have to ensure you enable Accessibility for both Keyboard Maestro and Keyboard Maestro Engine. You need to toggle the accessibility permissions (System Preferences, Security & Privacy, Privacy, Accessibility) for Keyboard Maestro and Keyboard Maestro Engine off and then on again.
Unfortunately the system bug is such that the system tells Keyboard Maestro that it has permissions, but still blocks access, which means Keyboard Maestro cannot detect the problem.
Back ◀
Macro Not Firing
Determine whether the macro is firing, or the actions are not working.
Select Macro to Check:
- Is the Macro Group Enabled? ✓ The Macro Group is Enabled. ✗ The Macro Group is Disabled ▸
- Is the Macro Group Active? ✓ The Macro Group is Active. ✗ The Macro Group is Inactive ▸
- Is the Macro Enabled? ✓ The Macro is Enabled. ✗ The Macro is Disabled ▸
- Does the Macro have a trigger? ✓ The Macro has a trigger. ✗ The Macro has no triggers ▸
- Does the Macro have some Enabled Actions? ✓ The Macro has some Enabled Actions. ✗ The Macro has no Actions ▸ ✗ The Macro has no Enabled Actions ▸
- Take some action that should trigger this macro… ✓ The Macro has Triggered once.
Back ◀
Macro Was Triggered
The macro “name” has fired once.
Since the macro was triggered, you know that it is running the actions. If you are still not getting the results you want, you need to look at the actions you are using. Some common issues you might run in to include:
- Is the target application ready to receive the events?
- Do you need to add a Pause action to wait for the system to be ready?
- If you are using a Click Mouse action, turn off the Restore Mouse Location flag and verify the mouse is going to the expected location.
- If you are using a script action, make sure you are display the results, including any errors.
If you are still having troubles, post your question in the Keyboard Maestro Forum.
Back ◀