Controller Routing

Controller Routing

Run:

.\couchlink.exe

Choose Start streaming. The app searches for every Pico that is running on Wi-Fi, shows the controllers Windows can currently see, then offers the best streaming layout first.

Common Layouts

For one Pico, the recommended option maps Controller 1 to that Pico.

For two or more Picos, the recommended option maps Controller 1 to the first Pico, Controller 2 to the second Pico, and so on.

If you need something else:

1. Choose Change controller routing.
2. Choose Use one controller, Use one controller per Pico, or Choose each controller manually.
3. Start streaming.

The app saves the layout. After that, couchlink.exe run uses the saved layout without asking again, which is what the Startup shortcut uses.

What Parsec Provides

Parsec passes guest gamepads to the host through its virtual USB gamepad driver. On Windows, those gamepads normally appear as Xbox 360 controllers, which CouchLink reads as XInput slots. Parsec's gamepad setup guide also covers virtual gamepad setup and controller order management.

If multiple guests join with controllers, Windows can expose multiple XInput slots. CouchLink can route up to four slots:

CouchLink source	Windows XInput slot
Controller 1	Slot 0
Controller 2	Slot 1
Controller 3	Slot 2
Controller 4	Slot 3

Live Status

While streaming, the terminal prints status lines like:

Controller 1 -> 07D37EB6 | source live | out +125 total 4300 | in 70 (reply 0.2s ago) | state buttons=0x1000 ...

Use this to confirm:

• The source controller is live.
• Packets are leaving the PC.
• The Pico is replying.
• Button and stick values change when the player presses input.

Direct Commands

The menu is the normal path. These commands are for scripts and launchers:

.\couchlink.exe run --all
.\couchlink.exe run --route 1=07D37EB6 --route 2=523861E6
.\couchlink.exe run --route 1=192.168.50.4
.\couchlink.exe run --pico 07D37EB6
.\couchlink.exe run --pico 192.168.50.4

Use .\couchlink.exe test discover --all to list Pico UIDs before writing a route command. If broadcast discovery fails but the router shows the Pico's IP, use .\couchlink.exe test discover --ip 192.168.50.4 or choose Enter Pico IP manually in the guided menu.

Bench Testing Note

In normal use, the Pico USB side plugs into the console adapter. If you plug the Pico into the same Windows PC for testing, Windows may see the Pico itself as an Xbox controller. Do not pick that Pico output as the source controller; pick the Parsec virtual controller or a local test controller instead.