Android · Bluetooth HID · Free & open source

Steer your AI coding agent from the phone in your hand.

Turn an Android phone or pad into a small Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad that sits next to your laptop — so you can keep nudging an AI agent without leaving your seat, or your coffee.

Works out of the box with Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor — Claude & Codex cover both CLI and desktop; Cursor is tuned for the desktop chat.

Download from Releases View source on GitHub

Android 9+ · Mac or Windows · sideload APK (unsigned-source prompt is expected)

Helm Pad on an Android phone next to a laptop

What it does

To the laptop it just looks like a regular Bluetooth keyboard and mouse — no companion app, no driver, no permissions dance. On the phone:

Before / after: steering an agent with vs without Helm Pad

The use I keep coming back to: agent is running, I'm leaning back with the phone in one hand and a coffee in the other. It pauses for input, I thumb Approve, leaning stays leaning. The break stays a break.

Trying it

You'll need an Android 9+ phone and a Mac or Windows machine.

  1. Grab the APK and install it

    Download the latest signed APK and open it on your phone. Android will show an Install from unknown source prompt — that's expected for sideloaded apps. There is no Play Store listing.

  2. Pair from your laptop

    From the laptop's Bluetooth settings, pair the phone like any other keyboard. No driver, no companion app on the laptop side.

  3. Open Helm Pad once

    Follow the on-screen setup. Done — start nudging.