---
title: "Control Composer Remotely (StreamDeck)"
slug: "control-composer-remotely"
updated: 2026-02-26T07:57:31Z
published: 2026-02-26T07:57:31Z
---

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

# Control Composer Remotely (StreamDeck)

Take full control of your live video production with ease — Composer isn't just powerful, it's also remotely controllable. Whether you're switching scenes, launching visual effects, managing media layers, or triggering complex workflows, you can **control it all at the push of a button using Companion**, a free and open-source software.

With a Stream Deck connected to Companion, you gain a tactile, customizable control surface that puts Composer’s most powerful features at your fingertips. If you prefer a more mobile option, Companion also works seamlessly on devices such as smartphones and tablets — giving you the flexibility to **operate your setup from anywhere using the Stream Deck Emulator**.

Stream Deck Emulator: ![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28139%29.png)

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get started by connecting Companion to Composer and building your own smart control panel.

## Download and Install Companion

To begin controlling Composer remotely, you first need to download and install Bitfocus Companion on the same computer where Composer is installed.

- Download it from the official website: [https://bitfocus.io/companion](https://bitfocus.io/companion)
- For help or troubleshooting, refer to the official Companion documentation: [https://user.bitfocus.io/docs/companion](https://user.bitfocus.io/docs/companion)

## Configure Composer for Remote Control

In order for Composer to receive remote commands, the Web API must be enabled.

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28107%29.png)

1. Start Composer
2. From the menu, click **Edit -> Settings**
3. Click on the **Web API** tab
4. Check **Enable Web API**
5. Set the port (default: 44433)

## Hello World

To get you started with Companion and the basics of remote control, we’ll begin with a simple Text Input element that you can show and hide using Companion — powered by **Connectors**, Composer’s remote control system for triggering actions.

What are Connectors?

Connectors let you trigger Composer actions remotely — from switching scenes to launching animations or running complex workflows — all through simple API calls. Compact, powerful, and fully customizable.

Connectors can also be used with the **Script Engine**, allowing you to control your scenes with custom JavaScript logic, automate tasks, and trigger advanced actions.

-> [Learn more about Connectors here](/docs/connectors)

1. **Add a Text Input:**
  - Add a new Text Input and place it in a Scene with a short message, eg., `Hello World`.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28115%29.png)
2. **Add Connectors:**
  - Click on the **Connectors** tab, then click the **Add Connector** button twice to create two new connectors.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28113%29.png)
3. **Rename the connectors:**
  - Rename the two connectors to  **MyConnectorHide** and **MyConnectorShow**.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28121%29.png)
4. **Add API Commands:**
  - For each connector, click on **Add API Command** then:
    - Set **Target** to **Scene Text Input**
    - Set **Property** to **IsVisible**  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28122%29.png)  

Note that **IsVisible** is checked in the **MyConnectorShow** Connector.

## Configure Companion

Next, we’ll set up Bitfocus Companion to send commands to Composer.

1. **Start Companion**
  - Launch the Companion application
  - Select your **Ethernet-connection** from the **GUI Interface** dropdown
  - Click the **Launch GUI** button.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28109%29.png)
2. **Open the Companion GUI**
  - The Companion GUI will now show up in your browser.
  - Click on the **Connections** tab
3. **Add a Generic HTTP Connection**
  - In the search box, type **http**
  - Select **Generic HTTP Requests** from the list, then click **Add**.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28112%29.png)
4. **Configure the Connection**
  - A new **Edit Connection** tab will appear.
  - Give your connection a clear name (avoid using spaces, e.g., **MyComposerConnection**)
  - In the **Base URL** enter the Composer Web API base path:  

`http://[YOURIP]:[PORT]/api/connector/trigger?`  

Replace **[YOURIP]** with your computer’s IP address and **[PORT]** with the port you set in Composer’s Web API settings (default is 44433).
  - *Example:*  

`http://192.168.0.57:44433/api/connector/trigger?`  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28137%29.png)
5. **Save the Connection**
  - Scroll down and click the **Save** button.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28124%29.png)
6. **Verify the Connection**
  - If everything is set up correctly, the new connection will appear in the Connections list and should show a green status, indicating it is active.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28125%29.png)

## Bind Commands to Buttons

Now that Companion is connected to Composer, you can assign commands to buttons on your Stream Deck interface.

Click on the Buttons tab and you will see a Stream Deck button panel. This is where you will bind commands to your buttons and control Composer.

1. **Open the Buttons Panel**
  - Click on the **Buttons** tab in the Companion GUI
  - You’ll see a visual representation of a Stream Deck layout.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28127%29.png)
2. **Create a Button**
  - Click on any button in the panel.
  - In the right panel, click **Create button**.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28128%29.png)
3. **Customize the Button**
  - Change the button’s text label to **Hide**.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28129%29.png)
4. **Add a Press Action**
  - Scroll down to **Press actions** section
  - In the dropdown, type the name of the connection created earlier (e.g., MyComposerConnection).
  - Select the **POST** method.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28132%29.png)
5. **Bind the Button to the Connector in Composer**
  - In the URL field, enter `name=MyConnectorHide` where **name** is the name of the Connector you created earlier.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28135%29.png)
6. **Create the Second Button for Showing the Text Input**
  - Follow steps 1–3 again to create another button.
  - Label this one **Show**.
  - In the Press actions section, use the same connection and POST method.
  - Set the URI to: `name=MyConnectorShow` to bind the second button to the second Connector in Composer.

## Try it out

Once you've set up your buttons, it's time to test them out and verify that Companion is correctly sending commands to Composer.

You have a few ways to do this:

**Option 1: Use the Test Button**

- In the Companion GUI, select the button you want to test.
- Click the **Test** button to simulate a press and send the command to Composer.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image%28138%29.png)

**Option 2: Use Keyboard Shortcut**

- While the Companion GUI is open, hold the **SHIFT** key on your keyboard.
- Click on the desired button in the GUI to trigger its action.

**Option 3: Use the Stream Deck Emulator on a Mobile Device**

- Open a browser on any mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to the following address (replacing [YOURIP] with the IP of the machine running Companion):  

`http://[YOURIP]:8000/tablet`
- You’ll see a touchscreen-friendly version of your Stream Deck layout. Tap buttons to control Composer remotely.

## Other types of integrations

For more information on how to integrate Composer with other types of systems, see the [Integration Guide](/v1/docs/integration-guide).