A custom Bluetooth macro pad combines voice input and shortcut buttons, helping developers control AI coding assistants faster while reducing keyboard use during programming.
A maker known as Gokux has developed a compact Bluetooth input device called Vibe Pad, designed specifically for the growing practice of “vibe coding,” where developers rely primarily on voice commands and AI assistants instead of manually writing every line of code.
The handheld device combines a wireless microphone with four programmable buttons, allowing users to control AI coding workflows without constantly switching between keyboard shortcuts. Rather than typing prompts, programmers can speak naturally while using dedicated buttons to trigger common actions such as activating voice chat, submitting prompts, opening a new AI conversation and launching Windows Voice Typing.
According to the creator, most coding sessions in this workflow involve describing desired functionality to an AI model, with manual editing reserved for later tasks such as refining variable names, rewriting functions or adding comments. Vibe Pad is intended to simplify this interaction by eliminating unnecessary keyboard input during the prompt-generation stage.
The device operates as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) macro keyboard powered by a Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 development board. It includes tactile switches mounted on a perfboard, a 400 mAh lithium battery, and a 3D-printed enclosure. Although demonstrated with a DJI wireless microphone, the design works with any microphone compatible with the user’s computer because the microphone itself is not electrically connected to the controller.
Each button transmits a programmable keyboard shortcut, allowing users to customise its behaviour for different editors, AI applications or automation tools such as AutoHotkey. This flexibility enables the device to integrate into a variety of development environments.
As voice-first programming becomes increasingly common with AI-assisted software development, dedicated input devices such as Vibe Pad highlight an emerging trend toward specialiced hardware that streamlines human-AI interaction, making conversational coding faster, more ergonomic and more efficient for developers.
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