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Setup guide

Key Hopper Setup Guide

Key Hopper lets you switch keyboard/mouse control between two PCs through hardware.

  • Keyboard Mode (optional): hardware forwarding only (works in BIOS/UEFI too)
  • Clipboard Mode: same hardware forwarding + shared clipboard (requires HID Client on the HID Client PC)

Before You Start

Before You Start

You need

  • Key Hopper device
  • 2 USB data-capable USB-C cables
  • Main PC (the one running Key Hopper)
  • HID Client PC (the PC where peripheral input is emulated)

Software

  • Key Hopper (Master app) on the main PC
  • Key Hopper HID Client on the HID Client PC (Clipboard Mode only)
  • USB serial driver only if Windows does not detect a COM port automatically

Installation

Installation

01

Download the apps

Download Key Hopper and, if needed, Key Hopper HID Client.

02

Install Key Hopper on the main PC

Run installer as Administrator.

03

Install HID Client on the HID Client PC (Clipboard Mode only)

Run installer as Administrator.

04

If you installed a USB serial driver, reboot once

This helps avoid COM port detection issues.

Main setup flow

Follow these 9 steps in order.

01

Download the required software

  • Key Hopper (Master app) for the main PC
  • Key Hopper HID Client (needed only for Clipboard Mode on the HID Client PC)
  • USB serial driver only if Windows does not show a COM port (board-dependent)
02

Install the software

Run the installers (recommended: as Administrator).

03

Connect the main PC first

Plug the main PC into the first USB-C port on Key Hopper.

04

Wait one or two seconds

Give the device a short moment before the second connection.

05

Connect the HID Client PC (the PC where peripheral input is emulated) to the second USB-C port

Plug the HID Client PC into the other USB-C port.

06

Open Key Hopper on the main PC and select mode

  • Keyboard Mode (optional): keyboard/mouse forwarding only (works without helper software on the HID Client PC)
  • Clipboard Mode: same forwarding + clipboard sync
07

Clipboard Mode only: run HID Client on the HID Client PC

Open Key Hopper HID Client on the HID Client PC and select its ESP COM port.

08

In Key Hopper, choose the correct COM port and click Start

On the main PC, set the ESP COM port in the UI, then start runtime.

09

Done. Switch PCs and use Runtime logs if needed

Use your configured toggle combo in Capture to switch control. If something fails, open the Runtime tab (and HID Client runtime, if used) and check logs.

Verify Everything

Verify Everything

Test switching

Use your configured toggle combo and confirm control switches correctly.

Test clipboard sync (Clipboard Mode)

Copy text on one PC, then paste on the other.

Recommended Production Settings

Recommended Production Settings

  • Enable Start on boot on both apps (default behavior)
  • Use tray/background mode (closing window should keep runtime active)
  • Exit from tray menu when you want to fully stop runtime

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

No COM port listed

Use a data cable, reconnect device, reinstall driver, then restart app.

Switching works but clipboard does not

Confirm HID Client is running on the HID Client PC, correct COM selected, Clipboard Mode enabled on main app.

Runtime won't start or disconnects

Check Runtime logs in both apps and verify only one instance is running.

Installer/uninstaller says app is in use

Close from tray first, then run installer/uninstaller as Administrator.

Support

Support

If you need help, send runtime logs from both apps and your COM port setup details to:

keyhopper.xyz@gmail.com