inputs

0.5 verified Mon Apr 27 auth: no python

Cross-platform Python library for reading input events from keyboards, mice, and gamepads. Version 0.5 provides a consistent API across Windows, Linux, and macOS via raw device access. Release cadence is low; last updated 2020.

pip install inputs

Common errors

error AttributeError: module 'inputs' has no attribute 'get_gamepad' ↓

cause Older version of inputs or misspelled function name.

fix

Use 'from inputs import get_gamepad' (note: 'gamepad' not 'gamepad'). Check pip show inputs version >= 0.4.

error PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/dev/input/event0' ↓

cause User lacks read permissions on input device files on Linux.

fix

Run script with sudo or add user to 'input' group: sudo usermod -aG input $USER and re-login.

error OSError: [Errno 19] No such device ↓

cause No input device found (e.g., gamepad not connected or driver not loaded).

fix

Ensure the device is connected and recognized (ls /dev/input/ on Linux). On Windows, install drivers if needed.

Warnings

gotcha On Linux, event devices (e.g., /dev/input/event*) require read permissions. Run with sudo or add user to the 'input' group. ↓

fix sudo usermod -aG input $USER && log out and back in

gotcha The library does not support blocking reads; events are only returned when devices have been polled. Continuous polling may cause high CPU usage. ↓

fix Add a small sleep inside the loop, e.g., time.sleep(0.1)

deprecated The 'inputs' library is no longer actively maintained. Consider using 'pynput' or 'evdev' directly for future development. ↓

fix Migrate to pynput (pip install pynput) for cross-platform input control.

breaking macOS support requires additional permissions and may not work without granting accessibility access to the terminal/IDE. ↓

fix Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Accessibility and add your terminal app.

Imports

DeviceManager
```
from inputs import DeviceManager
```
Correct import path for accessing devices
get_key
```
from inputs import get_key
```
Function to read keyboard events
get_mouse
```
from inputs import get_mouse
```
Function to read mouse events
get_gamepad
```
from inputs import get_gamepad
```
Function to read gamepad events

Quickstart

Poll gamepad events in a loop. On Linux, ensure user has read permissions on /dev/input/event*.

from inputs import get_gamepad

def main():
    while True:
        events = get_gamepad()
        for event in events:
            print(event.ev_type, event.code, event.state)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()