# Bitfocus Listener Quick Start

Bitfocus Listener is a small remote-control server that lets you simulate keyboard and mouse input, open files, run shell commands, and stream basic system metrics. To use it, you need to download and install a small program on the machine you want to control and add the Bitfocus Listener connection to Buttons. You can download the listener from https://user.bitfocus.io/download . Open the app Launch Bitfocus Listener on the computer you want to control. The main window shows status and basic controls. Confirm network settings Interface: leave as `0.0.0.0` to accept connections from any network, or choose a specific interface if needed. Server Port: default is `12001`. Change only if required by your network. Share the password securely Use the `Eye` button to reveal the password, or `Copy` to place it on the clipboard. Give the password only to trusted devices or people. If the password is compromised, click `Refresh` to revoke access immediately. Configure the connection in Bitfocus Buttons Enter the IP for the machine you want to control If you have changed the port in the listener app you need to update that in the connection as well Enter the password from the listener Optionally, enable `Subscribe to System Info` and `Subscribe to Mouse Position` to be able to view this info on Buttons or use the data as variables Click `Save`, and you should see the status change to `Connected` Control what remote devices can do Click `Remote actions` and uncheck anything you do not want remote devices to be able to do (for example: running shell commands or AppleScript). This will control what the connection in buttons are allowed to do on the remote computer Edit Key Access Control Click `Key access` to choose `All keys` (full keyboard access) or `Only selected keys` (choose specific key categories or individual keys). Example: Enable Function (if you need F-key control) Open `Key access`. Choose `Only selected keys` Chose `Allow all` for the `Function` category. Save changes — they take effect immediately for new connections. Allowed Write File Paths You can select the folders where Listener can create and write to files. Clients will use the name to choose a folder, not the path. Add one below or drag a folder onto this window. Allowed file types: plain-text data files (.txt, .csv, json, srt, ...) Open `Allowed write file paths `. Click `Add Folder...` Navigate to the path you would like to allow and click `User Folder` A name will be selected by default. Optionally, you can change the name. Keep in mind, the name is what the user will use to access the path. Save changes — they take effect immediately. Launching at Startup If desired, Listener can be set to launch when the computer is logged in. Just select `Launch at login` under the `Startup` section. Optionally, it can also start without displaying the settings window, and instead only showing as an icon in the menu or task bar by selecting `Start hidden in the menu bar.` Activity Log Click `Activity log` to see recent connections and actions. The dialog shows the path to the on-disk audit log for deeper inspection. Quick safety tips Only share the password with devices you trust. Turn off `Run Shell Command` and `AppleScript` if you do not need them. Regenerate the password to revoke access instantly.