Control Spaces from a Stream Deck
The simplest setup needs nothing extra: give each Stream Deck key the built-in Hotkey action with one of Spacepal's keyboard shortcuts, such as ⌃⌥3 for Desktop 3. Spacepal receives it like a key you pressed and switches with no slide animation. There is no Spacepal plugin for Stream Deck yet.
One key per Space (Hotkey action)
- In the Stream Deck app, drag System, Hotkey onto a key.
- Click the Hotkey field and press the shortcut, for example ⌃⌥1.
- Set the key's title to the Space's name, such as "Code", and pick an icon.
- Repeat for each Space you use.
Shortcuts worth a key each:
| Key | Hotkey | Does |
|---|---|---|
| Space 1 to 10 | ⌃⌥1 … ⌃⌥0 | Go to that desktop. Pressing the same key again returns to the Space you came from. |
| Window to Space | ⌃⌥⇧1 … ⌃⌥⇧0 | Send the front window to that desktop |
| Last Space | ⌃⌥` | Back to the previous Space |
| Previous, next | ⌃⌥←, ⌃⌥→ | Step one Space left or right |
| Overview | ⌥Tab | Show every Space |
| Find window | ⌃⌥F | Search windows on all Spaces |
These are the defaults. If you changed the modifier in Settings, Shortcuts (Control + Option, Control + Command, Option + Command, or all three), use yours. If you changed the overview shortcut, use that. "Move the front window with Shift" in the same pane must be on for the window keys.
Actions without a shortcut: links
Some actions only have a spacepal:// link, such as spacepal://eject (prepare to unplug displays), spacepal://profile/Work, spacepal://template/Streamer or spacepal://switch/Chat by name. Stream Deck's Website action (Open URL) may work with these links, since it asks macOS to open the URL; we have not confirmed it on every Stream Deck version, and some versions may only accept web addresses. If it does not, two other routes work:
- Make an Apple Shortcut that opens the link (or uses Spacepal's own Shortcuts actions), then trigger it from a key with a Shortcuts plugin for Stream Deck. See Shortcuts.
- Give the action a hotkey through another tool you already use, such as Raycast, Alfred or BetterTouchTool, and send that hotkey from the key.
Multi actions
A Stream Deck Multi Action can chain keys, for example ⌃⌥1 to go to your Stream Space, then a scene change in OBS. Add a short delay between steps so the switch finishes first.
Tips for streaming
- Instant switching (the default in Settings, General) gives viewers a clean cut instead of the slide animation.
- Check Settings, Appearance: the name shown after each switch can appear in a full-display capture. Turn it off if you do not want it on stream.
- See Spaces for streamers for a full setup with the Streamer template.
Limits
- Sending the front window works on every supported macOS version.
spacepal://ejectandrestore-layoutmove windows that are not in front, using a direct WindowServer move that works on macOS 14.0 to 14.4 and on 26.4 and later. On other versions those windows stay where they are.
Related
- All keyboard shortcuts
- Spaces for streamers
- All integrations
- Spacepal is a one-time purchase with a 14-day trial
Written by Dan Bayer, developer of Spacepal. Last updated 2026-10-27.