Many commands in a control are simple key presses or keybinds. More complicated actions can be performed using the Phantom scripting language. For a documentation on Commander script commands and the Phantom scripting language, visit here.
Commander Overview
Commander is a versatile application that allows users to control their PC from an Android device. It comprises two components: the Commander Android app (referred to as the Client, available on the Google Play Store) and the Commander PC Server (available on the Microsoft Store). The Commander Android Client communicates with the Commander PC Server over a wireless network, sending commands that the Server interprets and executes on the PC.
For instance, the Commander Android Client might feature a button to simulate a keystroke on the PC. When the button is tapped, a command is sent to the Commander PC Server, which then simulates the keystroke. This functionality extends to a wide range of actions, from simple keystrokes to complex keyboard and mouse combinations. Additionally, the Server can gather information from the PC and relay it back to the Client, updating the Client’s display. The Phantom automation scripting language is employed to simulate intricate tasks.
The Commander Android Client can showcase one or more Control Panels, each consisting of various controls that dispatch custom automation commands to the Commander PC Server. Users can create new control panels within the Client by selecting ‘Create New Panel’ from the Settings Menu. Typically, a Control Panel is tailored for a specific game, featuring controls to simulate key binds or mouse interactions for that game. Different panels can be activated depending on the game or game mode being played.
Example Commander Client Control Panels
Commander Interface
Tapping in any unoccupied space in Commander will show the main Commander menu at the bottom of the screen:
- Mode Indicator: Tapping this will toggle between ‘Live’ mode and ‘Edit’ mode. In Live mode, interacting with a Commander control sends commands to the Commander server, which is the standard mode for using Commander to interact with PC games. In Edit mode, tapping a control opens the Control Properties panel for customization. Additionally, controls can be dragged to new locations on the screen. Once switched back to ‘Live’, the control positions are locked in place.
- Open: This option opens a list of all the Commander control panels currently installed on your device. Select a panel to make it the active control panel in Commander.
- Create New Control: Tapping this opens the Control Properties panel, where you can create and customize a new control. Refer to the tutorial for an example of how to create a new control.
- Settings Menu: This opens a panel with a list of settings and options for Commander and the currently displayed Control Panel.
Connecting to the Commander Server
When you open Commander on your device, it will automatically attempt to connect to a Commander Server installed on a PC within your network. By default, it will try to reconnect to the last server used. If it doesn’t connect automatically, follow these steps:
- Tap the Settings Menu in the main Commander Interface.
- Select Connect. This will display a list of currently running Commander Servers on your network.
- Choose the server you wish to connect to.
If this is the first time connecting to the server, a prompt will appear to register the server connection. On the PC running Commander Server, a prompt will display a connection code to approve the connection. This approval is necessary to send commands from the Commander Android Client to the PC.
Note that you may need to approve a Windows Firewall exception when first running the Commander PC Server.
Control Settings Panel
The Control Settings panel is used to change settings for a control. Tapping on any setting name will display more information about the setting.
Control Types
Commander has several different built-in control types. The control type can be changed by changing ‘Control Type’ in the Control Settings panel. A control panel with a sample of each control can be downloaded here.
A ‘Press’ control sends a command to the PC when the control is tapped.
An ‘On/Off’ control sends one command when the control is ‘On’, and can send a different command when the control is ‘Off’. Tap the control to change the state between ‘On’ and ‘Off’.
A Press/Release control sends one command when the control is pressed (tap and hold), and can send a different command when the control is released.
A ‘Text Only’ control displays customizable text.
A ‘Website’ control displays a website as provided in the control settings. It optionally also displays controls to refresh the page or forward/backward navigate.
Analog controls can be used to send different commands based on the location of the analog ‘actuator’. The actuator behavior can be changed in the settings (return to center on release, maintain position, move in configurable steps). Analogs can be 2-D (square or circular) or 1-D (constrained to horizontal and vertical). Special command variables are available in the to the command relating to the analog position (ANALOG_X, ANALOG_Y) or change in position (ANALOG_DX, ANALOG_DY).
Composite controls are containers that can hold one or more other controls. Composite controls can be moved around, copied, and pasted as a group, and can be used to more effectively organize controls.