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Input configuration controls how Sunshine handles controller, keyboard, and mouse input from Moonlight clients.

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Controller Settings

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controller
boolean
default:"enabled"
Whether to allow controller input from the client.
controller = enabled
​
gamepad
string
default:"auto"
The type of gamepad to emulate on the host.Options:
  • auto - Automatically select based on client capabilities
  • x360 - Xbox 360 controller (Windows only)
  • xone - Xbox One controller (FreeBSD/Linux only)
  • ds4 - DualShock 4 controller / PS4 (Windows only)
  • ds5 - DualSense controller / PS5 (FreeBSD/Linux only)
  • switch - Switch Pro controller (FreeBSD/Linux only)
gamepad = auto

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Auto Gamepad Selection

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motion_as_ds4
boolean
default:"enabled"
If client reports motion sensor support, emulate as DS4 controller.
Only applies when gamepad is set to auto
motion_as_ds4 = enabled
​
touchpad_as_ds4
boolean
default:"enabled"
If client reports touchpad support, emulate as DS4 controller.
Only applies when gamepad is set to auto
touchpad_as_ds4 = enabled

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DualShock 4 Settings

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ds4_back_as_touchpad_click
boolean
default:"enabled"
Allow Select/Back button to trigger DS4 touchpad click. Useful for clients emulating touchpad clicks on XInput devices.
Only applies when gamepad is manually set to ds4
ds4_back_as_touchpad_click = enabled

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DualSense Settings

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ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac
boolean
default:"enabled"
Randomize the MAC address for virtual PS5 controllers.
Linux only, applies to PS5-style controllers
ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac = enabled

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Controller Button Mapping

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back_button_timeout
number
default:"-1"
Milliseconds to hold Back/Select button to emulate Home/Guide button press.
Set to -1 to disable Home/Guide emulation
back_button_timeout = 2000

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Keyboard Settings

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keyboard
boolean
default:"enabled"
Whether to allow keyboard input from the client.
keyboard = enabled
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key_repeat_delay
number
default:"500"
Initial delay in milliseconds before repeating keys.
key_repeat_delay = 500
​
key_repeat_frequency
number
default:"24.9"
How often keys repeat per second (supports decimals).
key_repeat_frequency = 24.9
​
always_send_scancodes
boolean
default:"enabled"
Send scancodes for better game compatibility.
Windows only
Enable if: Keyboard input doesn’t work in certain applicationsDisable if: Keys generate wrong input (non-US keyboard layouts)
always_send_scancodes = enabled
​
key_rightalt_to_key_win
boolean
default:"disabled"
Remap Right Alt key to Windows key. Useful when Moonlight cannot send the Windows key directly.
key_rightalt_to_key_win = enabled

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Key Bindings

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keybindings
array
default:"[0x10, 0xA0, 0x11, 0xA2, 0x12, 0xA4]"
Map virtual key codes for special key handling. Useful on Wayland where the Win key cannot be captured.
Not available in Web UI - must be configured in config file
Array must have an even number of elements (pairs of source and target key codes).See Virtual Key Codes for reference.
keybindings = [
  0x10, 0xA0,  # Left Shift
  0x11, 0xA2,  # Left Control  
  0x12, 0xA4,  # Left Alt
  0x4A, 0x4B   # J -> K
]

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Mouse Settings

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mouse
boolean
default:"enabled"
Whether to allow mouse input from the client.
mouse = enabled
​
high_resolution_scrolling
boolean
default:"enabled"
Pass through high resolution scroll events from Moonlight.Disable for older applications that scroll too fast with high resolution events.
high_resolution_scrolling = enabled
​
native_pen_touch
boolean
default:"enabled"
Pass through native pen/touch events from Moonlight.Disable for older applications without native pen/touch support.
native_pen_touch = enabled

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Example Configuration

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Auto Controller Selection

# Controller
controller = enabled
gamepad = auto
motion_as_ds4 = enabled
touchpad_as_ds4 = enabled

# Keyboard
keyboard = enabled
key_repeat_delay = 500
key_repeat_frequency = 24.9

# Mouse
mouse = enabled
high_resolution_scrolling = enabled
native_pen_touch = enabled

​
Fixed Xbox 360 Controller (Windows)

# Force Xbox 360 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = x360

# Keyboard and mouse
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled
always_send_scancodes = enabled

​
DualShock 4 with Motion (Windows)

# Force DS4 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = ds4
ds4_back_as_touchpad_click = enabled
back_button_timeout = 2000

# Enable all input types
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled
high_resolution_scrolling = enabled
native_pen_touch = enabled

​
DualSense Controller (Linux)

# Force DS5 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = ds5
ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac = enabled

# Input settings
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled

​
Platform-Specific Notes

  • Xbox 360 (x360) and DualShock 4 (ds4) emulation available
  • always_send_scancodes improves game compatibility
  • Use key_rightalt_to_key_win if Windows key doesn’t work

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Troubleshooting

  • Try setting gamepad to a specific controller type instead of auto
  • For Windows games, try x360 (most compatible)
  • Check if the game supports the emulated controller type
  • Disable always_send_scancodes if using non-US keyboard layout
  • Check client keyboard layout matches host
  • Enable key_rightalt_to_key_win to use Right Alt as Windows key
  • On Wayland, configure keybindings to map Win key
  • Ensure client reports touchpad/motion support
  • Set gamepad = ds4 (Windows) or gamepad = ds5 (Linux)
  • Verify touchpad_as_ds4 and motion_as_ds4 are enabled

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Next Steps

Network Settings

Configure ports and network access

Applications

Add games and applications to stream

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