Clacksmith: keyboard sounds without Input Monitoring [Developer]

[wedontneed]

Hi everyone,

I’m the developer of Clacksmith, a small native menu bar app for macOS that adds keyboard sound feedback without asking for Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission.

I made it for people who enjoy mechanical keyboard and typewriter sounds but do not want to give an app access to what they type.
Clacksmith works by comparing only the key down and key up counts that macOS exposes for the current login session. It never receives key identities, key codes, characters, typed text, active app names, clipboard contents, or document contents. It has no accounts, analytics, ads, or network activity.

The app includes several bundled sound packs, volume and audio output controls, and the option to create local sound packs from audio you own.

There are a few limitations to the permission free approach. Modifier keys pressed on their own do not play sounds. Some media keys such as volume, brightness, and eject may not trigger sounds. Key repeat is not counted.

Clacksmith requires macOS 14 or later and costs $1.49 as a one time purchase.

App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clacksmith/id6789209519?mt=12

I would appreciate honest feedback, especially about the sound styles you would actually use and whether audio output selection matters to your setup. Please let me know if you encounter a bug or have an improvement request. I’m happy to answer technical questions about how it works.

 

[ignatius345]

Is there any way to preview the sounds before buying? Aeons ago I used to use something called KeyClick for auditory feedback on my Macbook keyboard, but the developer abandoned it. I’ve tried a few since then, but a lot of them seem to be focused specifically on emulating mechanical keyboard sounds. I’m after something more subtle, myself.

Also, some of the apps I’ve tried have struggled with latency -- any perceivable delay or skipping makes it maddening to type.

 

[wedontneed]

Is there any way to preview the sounds before buying? Aeons ago I used to use something called KeyClick for auditory feedback on my Macbook keyboard, but the developer abandoned it. I’ve tried a few since then, but a lot of them seem to be focused specifically on emulating mechanical keyboard sounds. I’m after something more subtle, myself.

Also, some of the apps I’ve tried have struggled with latency -- any perceivable delay or skipping makes it maddening to type.

Not at the moment, unfortunately. That is a fair point, and I should add some audio previews.

Clacksmith currently includes two sound packs, one synthetic and one based on real keyboard recordings. The volume is fully adjustable, but I do not want to overpromise. If you are looking for a very soft KeyClick style sound rather than a mechanical keyboard sound, the current bundled options may not be exactly what you are after.

You can also create a local sound pack from an audio file you own. What kind of sound did you prefer in KeyClick? A short soft click, or something closer to subtle system feedback? That would be very useful when I create a quieter sound pack.

 

[bogdanw]

I used to use something called KeyClick for auditory feedback on my Macbook keyboard,

Assuming you are talking about Keyclick by Sustainable Softworks (https://sustworks.com/site/prod_keyclick_overview.html) it still works in macOS Sequoia 15.7.9.

The sounds are in the dmg folders /Volumes/Keyclick\ 1.4/Keyclick.prefPane/Contents/SharedSupport/KeyclickServer.app/Contents/Resources/Sounds

@wedontneed "Apple Developer Documentation - Implementing introductory offers in your app" Free Trial
https://developer.apple.com/documen...ng-introductory-offers-in-your-app#Free-Trial

 

[wedontneed]

Assuming you are talking about Keyclick by Sustainable Softworks (https://sustworks.com/site/prod_keyclick_overview.html) it still works in macOS Sequoia 15.7.9.

The sounds are in the dmg folders /Volumes/Keyclick\ 1.4/Keyclick.prefPane/Contents/SharedSupport/KeyclickServer.app/Contents/Resources/Sounds

@wedontneed "Apple Developer Documentation - Implementing introductory offers in your app" Free Trial
https://developer.apple.com/documen...ng-introductory-offers-in-your-app#Free-Trial

Thanks, that is useful information. I did not realize KeyClick was still working on Sequoia.

The Apple documentation you linked applies to free trials for automatically renewing subscriptions. Clacksmith is a one time purchase rather than a subscription, so unfortunately I cannot enable that type of trial with its current model.

I think the better solution is to add public sound previews so people can hear the included packs before purchasing. I will also look into creating an original, more subtle click pack for people who do not want mechanical keyboard sounds.

 

[bogdanw]

The Apple documentation you linked applies to free trials for automatically renewing subscriptions. Clacksmith is a one time purchase rather than a subscription, so unfortunately I cannot enable that type of trial with its current model.

Sorry for the wrong link:
"Non-subscription apps may offer a free time-based trial period before presenting a full unlock option by setting up a Non-Consumable IAP item at Price Tier 0 that follows the naming convention: “XX-day Trial.” Prior to the start of the trial, your app must clearly identify its duration, the content or services that will no longer be accessible when the trial ends, and any downstream charges the user would need to pay for full functionality. Learn more about managing content access and the duration of the trial period using Receipts and DeviceCheck."
https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#payments

 

[wedontneed]

Sorry for the wrong link:
"Non-subscription apps may offer a free time-based trial period before presenting a full unlock option by setting up a Non-Consumable IAP item at Price Tier 0 that follows the naming convention: “XX-day Trial.” Prior to the start of the trial, your app must clearly identify its duration, the content or services that will no longer be accessible when the trial ends, and any downstream charges the user would need to pay for full functionality. Learn more about managing content access and the duration of the trial period using Receipts and DeviceCheck."
https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#payments

You are right, and thank you for correcting me. I had confused this with introductory offers for subscriptions.This is a valid option for a non subscription app. It would require changing Clacksmith from a paid download to a free download, then managing the trial and permanent unlock through StoreKit. I would also need to make sure everyone who already purchased Clacksmith keeps full access.

I need to evaluate the migration carefully before promising it, but it is technically possible under Apple’s rules. Public sound previews would still be useful as well.

Thanks again for pointing me to the correct guideline.

 

[bogdanw]

You could include a video in the App Store to showcase the sounds https://developer.apple.com/app-store/app-previews/

 

[eyoungren]

Bought it. Pretty cool. Looking forward to more sound packs. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing an option to add to login items and shortcuts for increasing/decreasing volume.

Other than that, the app is pretty cool.

Oh. Running on a 2009 Mac Pro, Sonoma (OCLP).

 

[wedontneed]

Bought it. Pretty cool. Looking forward to more sound packs. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing an option to add to login items and shortcuts for increasing/decreasing volume.

Other than that, the app is pretty cool.

Oh. Running on a 2009 Mac Pro, Sonoma (OCLP).

Thank you for buying Clacksmith and for the detailed feedback. More sound packs are definitely something I want to add.

Launch at login makes a lot of sense for a menu bar app, and direct shortcuts for increasing and decreasing the Clacksmith volume would be useful too. I have noted both.