A free, open-source desktop app that turns a Raspberry Pi Pico W / Pico 2 W into a Nintendo Switch controller. Drive it from an on-screen pad, build looping macros, pass through a real controller, or flash it into a USB dongle. Flashing and setup all happen inside the app.
Hi Product Hunt 👋
I bought a Switch 2 Pro Controller and found out it doesn't connect to my PC over Bluetooth. Steam Input only supports it over USB, so the wireless options were basically "buy a dedicated adapter" or "give up".
Karakuri Pad started as something else entirely — an app that turns a Raspberry Pi Pico W into a macro controller for the Switch. While implementing BLE communication to record real controller input, I realized I could just forward that input to the PC as a USB gamepad.
So the dongle mode is a complete accident.
What it does:
A single Pico W (~$10) works as a wireless dongle for the Switch 2 Pro Controller
Shows up as a normal USB gamepad on PC/Mac/Linux — no drivers, no Steam, no background app
Gyro and rumble work
No soldering, no wiring. Just flash the board and plug it in
It's free and open source (MIT). No accounts, no telemetry, no paid tiers.
Happy to answer any questions about the BLE side — that part took a while to figure out.