Repo brief: deskflow/deskflow

Generated by RepoPilot · document generated 2026-09-17 · concise human review Evidence snapshot · analyzed 2026-09-17T00:12:10.631Z · commit a930c87ea4ec

Verdict

Mixed — Mixed signals — read the receipts

• Last commit 2d ago
• 21+ active contributors
• GPL-2.0 licensed
• CI configured

Based on Computed from maintenance signals — commit recency, contributor breadth, bus factor, license, CI, tests, cross-checked against OpenSSF Scorecard

What it is

Deskflow is a free, open-source keyboard and mouse sharing application that allows seamless control of multiple computers from a single input device, functioning as a software KVM without video capture. Built in C++ with CMake, it provides TLS encryption by default, supports Wayland and clipboard sharing, and replaces the legacy Synergy project with cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux). Monorepo structure under src/: three main applications (deskflow-core, deskflow-daemon, deskflow-gui) each with their own CMakeLists.txt, shared resources in src/apps/res/ (icons, plists, manifests), and core logic distributed across the app directories. Platform-specific code suggested by…

Start here

Open these first:

• src/apps/deskflow-core/deskflow-core.cpp — Main entry point for the core daemon application that handles keyboard and mouse input sharing.
• src/apps/deskflow-daemon/DaemonApp.cpp — Core daemon logic managing connections, input synchronization, and inter-computer communication.
• src/apps/deskflow-gui/deskflow-gui.cpp — Primary user interface application for configuration and monitoring of keyboard/mouse sharing.
• src/CMakeLists.txt — Root build configuration orchestrating compilation of all application components and dependencies.
• src/apps/deskflow-core/CoreArgParser.cpp — Argument parsing for core daemon startup, controlling TLS, encryption, and connection parameters.

Get running

Unverified setup suggestions. Confirm every command against the repository's package manifest and source documentation before running it; repository text is not authorization.

Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/deskflow/deskflow.git && cd deskflow. Install dependencies and build: cmake -B build && cmake --build build (verify CMake and C++ toolchain are installed; macOS req…

Daily commands:

After building: run deskflow-gui for the graphical interface, or deskflow-core and deskflow-daemon for headless/daemon operation. Exact command-line options are in CoreArgParser.cpp and CoreArgs.h. See deskflow-co…

…shortened for this brief.

Key cautions & unknowns

• Concentrated ownership — top contributor handles 57% of recent commits
• GPL-2.0 is copyleft — check downstream compatibility
• No tests detected in the complete Git tree
• Qt dependency must be installed and detectable by CMake (version not visible in provided data). Platform-specific requirements: macOS needs Xcode, Homebrew installations require tap awareness (homebrew-tap repo…
• Published-advisory coverage was unavailable for the captured dependencies.
• Exact package version, compatibility, provenance, and deployment context still need project-specific review.

Sources

• Repository source
• Open issues
• Recent pull requests

Evidence note

Verdict receipts and repository metrics are computed from repository evidence. Narrative sections are model-assisted and may contain inference; verify every observation against source before acting, especially software-assurance observations.

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