> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mania.bot/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hardware Input

> How MANIA controls your game

Software input works out of the box. For **official servers** (**MapleStory N**, **KMS**, etc.), hardware input is strongly recommended to reduce lie detector frequency.

<Tip>
  **GMS** doesn't enforce this yet, but it's worth setting up just in case.
</Tip>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Local Hardware Input">
    Route inputs through a Pico connected directly to your PC. Sends physical keyboard and mouse input, bypassing software-level detection.

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="PC →" icon="computer">MANIA + MapleStory (USB)</Card>
      <Card title="← Pico" icon="microchip">Sends inputs</Card>
    </CardGroup>

    <Accordion title="What to buy (~$4-7 USD)">
      * Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico W, Pico 2, or Pico 2 W
      * USB to Micro-USB cable

      <div style={{display: "flex", gap: "1rem", alignItems: "center"}}>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mania/U51dXzuqE5uO00q2/pico.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U51dXzuqE5uO00q2&q=85&s=3c2190380579601b2fc7742d913beb42" alt="Pico" width="220" data-path="pico.png" />

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mania/U51dXzuqE5uO00q2/microusb.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U51dXzuqE5uO00q2&q=85&s=ac5b94e7359d53ca7b9dd3d2fa7b6c56" alt="Micro USB cable" width="220" data-path="microusb.png" />
      </div>
    </Accordion>

    ### Deploy

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Enter bootloader mode">
        Hold **BOOTSEL** while plugging Pico into your computer.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Deploy firmware">
        In MANIA, click **Hardware Input → Deploy**.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Enable

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Enable hardware input">
        In MANIA, click **Hardware Input**. Green = connected.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Remote Hardware Input">
    Route inputs through a Pico to a separate PC. MANIA PC remains usable while MANIA runs.

    <CardGroup cols={4}>
      <Card title="MANIA PC →" icon="computer">MANIA (USB)</Card>
      <Card title="CP2102 →" icon="usb">Adapter (Wires)</Card>
      <Card title="Pico →" icon="microchip">Sends inputs</Card>
      <Card title="MS PC" icon="computer">MapleStory</Card>
    </CardGroup>

    <Frame>
      <iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P5rWhiBvL5w" title="Remote Hardware Input Setup Guide" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
    </Frame>

    <Accordion title="What to buy (~$7-13 USD)">
      * Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico W, Pico 2, or Pico 2 W **with headers**
      * USB to Micro-USB cable
      * CP2102 USB-to-UART adapter

      <div style={{display: "flex", gap: "1rem", alignItems: "center"}}>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mania/U51dXzuqE5uO00q2/pico.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U51dXzuqE5uO00q2&q=85&s=3c2190380579601b2fc7742d913beb42" alt="Pico" width="180" data-path="pico.png" />

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mania/U51dXzuqE5uO00q2/microusb.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U51dXzuqE5uO00q2&q=85&s=ac5b94e7359d53ca7b9dd3d2fa7b6c56" alt="Micro USB cable" width="180" data-path="microusb.png" />

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mania/U51dXzuqE5uO00q2/cp2102.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U51dXzuqE5uO00q2&q=85&s=575a12c237c33f4ac40b9c1ff96977cd" alt="CP2102" width="220" data-path="cp2102.png" />
      </div>
    </Accordion>

    ### Deploy

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Enter bootloader mode">
        Hold **BOOTSEL** while plugging Pico into MANIA PC.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Deploy firmware">
        In MANIA, click **Hardware Input → Deploy**.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Connect

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Disconnect">
        Unplug Pico from MANIA PC, and click **Hardware Input** to disconnect.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Wire CP2102 to Pico">
        ```
        TX (Green)  → GP5 (Pin 7)
        RX (White)  → GP4 (Pin 6)
        GND (Black) → Any GND pin
        VCC (Red)   → Do not connect
        ```

        Connect the wires as shown.
        Colors don't matter as long as the connections match.

        <Note>
          Some adapters support multiple modes and must be switched to CP2102 mode.
        </Note>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect">
        Plug Pico into MS PC and CP2102 into MANIA PC.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Enable

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Enable hardware input">
        In MANIA, click **Hardware Input**. Green = connected.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  Not connecting? Try a different USB cable or port.
</Note>