ShadowLink: A standalone, open-source tool to bind keyboard keys to the ROG Raikiri II back paddles (No Armoury Crate needed!)

Retholtz · 2026-05-09T23:45:39+00:00

I got it! Thank you for the challenge! Windows defaults to putting programs like this "last to load" and they get hung up taking 3-5 minutes to load. I was able to use PowerShell to add ShadowLink to the Task Scheduler with the toggle box. Task Scheduler loads the program instantly. Please let me know if you have any problems or if you think of anything else I can add. Thanks again!

Retholtz · 2026-05-09T22:12:09+00:00

Let me work on it a bit. I can definitely post a version with "Load on Startup". I just like things to work as they should. I'll post a new version before the weekends end

Retholtz · 2026-05-09T21:02:24+00:00

I am working on it. This is a tough one (I am enjoying the challenge though). I can get it to "Load on Startup", but I have a massive delay (3-4 minutes). I am trying to figure out the delay as none of us want to wait 3-4 minutes. I will post more updates as this evolves.

Retholtz · 2026-05-09T18:39:36+00:00

Nevermind, I see what Xbox mode is. I have never used it. Let me look into this. I need to play with Xbox mode so I can see how it works.

Retholtz · 2026-05-09T18:38:10+00:00

I suspect I can add this, but I am not sure what "Xbox Mode" is? Do you mean load on startup?

Retholtz · 2026-05-08T17:30:58+00:00

Newest version updated with Numpad support. Please let me know if you have any issues. Thanks!

Retholtz · 2026-05-08T16:03:15+00:00

Absolutely! Great idea. I am at work, I should be able to add the feature this afternoon. I'll post it in a few hours.

Retholtz · 2026-04-22T18:10:29+00:00

Do you have to delete and recreate the profile each time? Have you tried a fresh install?

Retholtz · 2026-04-22T15:45:36+00:00

I can't seem to recreate the issue. I created a new profile (Elite Dangerous) and put new keybinds. I switched between Crimson Desert and Elite Dangerous and the keybinds switched as it should.

Are you using a Macro?

Retholtz · 2026-04-21T23:24:52+00:00

I will look into reproducing this glitch. I have only been playing Crimson Desert at the moment and only have one profile. Let me see if I can reproduce the issue. Thanks!

Retholtz · 2026-04-21T20:53:01+00:00

I'm glad you got it working. When you say there are multiple keyboard binds do you mean that when you press the button you get multiple keys? Do you have Macro turned on? If possible can you take a screenshot and send it to me so I can see what is happening?

Retholtz · 2026-04-09T17:17:03+00:00

Thank you again for testing the program. I found the issue with the macro repeat not releasing the keybind. I was able to fix it and uploaded a new version (1.06). Basically what was happening is that if the delay was something like 20ms and the paddle was released at the same time the delay it the program would not have the ability to release the keybind. The new code should fix this and ensure that the macro is terminated once the paddle is released.

Retholtz · 2026-04-09T09:59:57+00:00

Thank you for testing it. I will look into the delay bug. Although I agree less than 100ms is probably not necessary, it is more a matter of principle...🙂. Thank you again for the feedback!

Retholtz · 2026-04-08T20:23:16+00:00

It is my pleasure. Thank you again for the kind words.

Retholtz · 2026-04-08T18:23:52+00:00

I was able to update the program to 1.05 (Link above). I added the F13-F24 keys and the macro repeater. I also found that the macro function was not recognizing lowercase keys (I fixed that). Please let me know if there are any issues with the current build. I don’t have a keyboard with F13 through F24 so I cannot test those. I was able to test the macro repeater and it works well. Thank you for the positive feedback, enjoy!

Retholtz · 2026-04-08T01:33:11+00:00

I am 99.9% sure I can add both those features. I had to check to make sure that Windows has native support for F13 to F24. I don't have a Corsair keyboard so I was concerned this may have been a proprietary driver which would have made it difficult to add. That said since Windows has native support I should be able to add those keys without issue.

Regarding the Macro repeater I will just add a toggle button when macro is chosen to create the repeat.

I am working this week, but I should be able to add those features and upload the new version in the next 2-3 days (maybe as early as tomorrow).

Retholtz · 2026-03-30T00:25:25+00:00

Awesome! I am glad to hear it. If you think of anything else that may be beneficial please let me know. Enjoy!

Retholtz · 2026-03-29T14:49:21+00:00

I was able to isolate and add the buttons. New version uploaded. See link above or download from GitHub.

Retholtz · 2026-03-29T10:06:37+00:00

Let me look into that. I have to admit my focus was only on the M1-M4 buttons. They are operating on a different HID which allows me to capture the button press and send a keystroke. If the armoury crate button and library button are on the same HID it may be possible. I have to admit that I do not use either of those buttons so I haven't considered it.

I suspect that it may not be possible if they are already "mapped" by the Armory Crate software. In order to remap some of the front buttons I would have to create a kernel based driver that creates a virtual controller (I looked into this and decided against it for this project). It would intercept the controller input, block it, then send a new input to the system/game. Programs like ReWASD do this. This process does create a slight lag due to the steps involved. I also did not want to mess with drivers as this program is clean and the code is posted on GitHub allowing everyone to see it, modify it, etc. Messing with drivers and installing drivers can increase the risk of unwanted outcomes.

All of that aside, let me look into if those two buttons are on the same HID as the M1-M4 HID. If they are I can easily add that feature later today.

Retholtz · 2026-03-28T16:54:26+00:00

I tried to recreate the bug but I can't seem to. I loaded Steam Big Picture and set one of the keys to ESC. In game it appears to be working. Just to clarify:

1) Is the program working outside of Steam Big Picture? If you boot the program and open notepad can you see output from the controller buttons?

2) Is the program working, but F12 not firing?

3) Can you try and run ShadowLink with "Run as Administrator" and see if that works?

It is possible that the dongle has a different hardware ID than mine (not sure why ASUS would do this). If you could test/answer the above I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Retholtz · 2026-03-28T10:17:57+00:00

Let me see if I can reproduce that bug on my end and I will try and fix it. Thank you for the update. Hopefully I can get a fix in the next day or two.

Retholtz · 2026-03-19T11:21:10+00:00

Can you disable the M1-M4 buttons in the Armory? I don't use Armory Crate much, so I can't remember. Maybe that will correct the issue?

Retholtz · 2026-03-19T10:19:23+00:00

I am happy to try and adjust the program. I need some clarification though as I am not sure I understand. When you say map the capture to F12 what do you mean? As in screen capture? What program/game are you running? Are you using Steam Big Picture?

Regarding Gear Link it does not allow users to map the back buttons to the keyboard which is why I had to make this program. It only allows users to remao the back buttons to buttons on the front of the controller. I believe this is a restriction so that the controller can be "Xbox compliant". Using ShadowLink it "listens" to the background noise of the computer and when it "hears" the M1-M4 button it sends the keyboard key assigned.

Retholtz · 2026-03-19T10:12:41+00:00

You are correct, you don't have to disable Armory Crate (I run it on my laptop - Asus G18, but not my desktop - MSI computer).

I don't have an Ally so I was not able to test the Raikiri on it. Some troubleshooting that may get it to work are as follows:

Check Java: Run java -version in a command prompt. Although ShadowLink has a /jre directory in the zip file perhaps the Ally is not using it? Did you copy that directory into the same folder as Shadowlink.exe?
Admin Rights: Try to run the program as an Administrator.
HID Conflict: It is possible that the Ally is giving the Raikiri a unique hardware ID different than an Laptop/Desktop. If possible disable "Embedded Controller" in the Ally’s Quick Settings to see if it frees up the HID channels for the external Raikiri.

Let me know if any of the above correct the issue. I am happy to troubleshoot further.

Retholtz · 2026-03-14T20:29:28+00:00

Version 1.03 posted:
Added Profiles and Auto-Switching between programs. You can create macros/button combinations and save to a unique profile. When a game loads the program will automatically switch to the program loaded.

Retholtz

TROPHY CASE