Retrocycle Hilbert Curve Generator

A macOS background utility that listens for shortcut sequences and injects keyboard inputs to draw fun patterns in RetroCycles — a snake/tron-style game where your trail forms the pattern.

Patterns

• :hil + Enter — traces a Hilbert curve, a space-filling fractal that produces a dense, winding path across the grid
• :spi + Enter — traces an expanding spiral

Requirements

• macOS
• Swift compiler (swiftc)
• Accessibility permissions granted for the executable

Setup

Run the build script:

./run.sh

On first run, you'll be prompted to grant Accessibility permissions:

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
2. Add the compiled executable
3. Enable the checkbox next to it
4. Re-run ./run.sh

How it works

Once running, the listener monitors global keyboard events. When it detects a trigger sequence (e.g. :hil followed by Enter), it deletes the typed characters and then fires a precisely-timed series of arrow key presses to steer your RetroCycles trail into the desired shape.

Event injection uses a tag (0xDEAD) to distinguish synthetic keystrokes from real ones, preventing feedback loops.