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This code is published as part of the corresponding blog article on the Toptal Engineering Blog.

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What Does It Do, Exactly?

This runs a web server on your Linux-based laptop that can send pre-configured keystrokes to your browser windows (or untargeted). By accessing it via your smartphone's web browser, you can conveniently control the volume and playback of your movie streaming and/or music listening:

The "remote control layout selection" screen and the "generic / music player" remote control.

TL;DR

On your Linux-based computer:

  1. Install xdotool and Node.js.
  2. Clone this repo (git clone https://github.com/codingthat/old-fashioned-remote.git) and cd into the cloned directory.
  3. Run npm i to install other project dependencies.
  4. Find out your computer's local IP address (e.g. by running hostname -I | awk '{print $1}').
  5. Run npm start (and keep it running).
  6. Open a music player, or have just one browser window open with Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video in its title.

On your phone:

  1. Connect to the same local network as your computer (via wifi).
  2. Open your phone's web browser.
  3. Go to http:// (your local IP address) :3000/ --- e.g. http://192.168.1.102:3000/ if your IP is 192.168.1.102.
  4. Choose your remote control.
  5. Voilà! No need to get up to pause or turn up the quiet parts.