LightBoard brings keyboard lighting effects to MacBooks (macOS)

LightBoard is a new open‑source macOS app that adds simple lighting effects to the built‑in keyboard backlight on modern MacBooks. It fills a gap in macOS — which only exposes basic backlight control via the function keys — by offering effects like breathing and music‑sync without modifying system files.

The project implements effects by creating a virtual input device rather than directly driving hardware. That approach avoids edits to system files or drivers, but on current macOS releases it can still trigger system security prompts or notices when the virtual device is registered.

How LightBoard works

• Open‑source: The app is available as an open project for users to inspect and contribute to.
• Virtual input device: Effects are produced by emulating an input device, which macOS recognizes and may prompt about for security reasons.
• Effects: Expect breathing, pulsing and music‑synchronized lighting tied to audio output or system events.
• No system file changes: LightBoard avoids permanent modifications to system files, making it safer to try and easier to remove.

Practical notes & compatibility

Because LightBoard uses a virtual device, installing or running it may require granting permissions (for example, Accessibility or Input Monitoring) and you may see macOS prompts about new input devices. Users should review any on‑screen messages carefully and only run software from trusted sources. If you value system stability or are uncomfortable with security prompts, wait until the project matures or the developer documents workarounds.

Also note that keyboard backlight behavior and available controls can vary by Mac model and macOS version. If you rely on mission‑critical workflows, test LightBoard in a controlled setup first.

Where to find it

Search for LightBoard on GitHub or the developer’s site to find the repository and installation instructions. Because it’s open‑source, you can review the source code before installing.

Discussion: Would you enable animated keyboard effects on your MacBook — or prefer to keep the backlight simple and distraction‑free?