input-keyboard-mouse-touch — Claude Code skill: keyboard, mouse, touch

---
name: input-keyboard-mouse-touch
description: "Use this skill when handling user input in Phaser 4. Covers keyboard keys, mouse clicks and movement, touch events, pointer handling, drag and drop, hit areas, interactive objects, and gamepad support. Triggers on: keyboard, mouse, touch, pointer, drag, drop, click, input, gamepad, cursor keys."
---

# Input: Keyboard, Mouse, Touch, and Gamepad
> Phaser provides a unified input system accessed via `this.input` in any Scene. It supports keyboard polling and events, mouse/pointer interaction with Game Objects (click, hover, drag), multi-touch, mouse wheel, and gamepad input. Input can be handled through event listeners or by polling state each frame.

**Key source paths:** `src/input/InputPlugin.js`, `src/input/Pointer.js`, `src/input/keyboard/KeyboardPlugin.js`, `src/input/keyboard/keys/Key.js`, `src/input/keyboard/keys/KeyCodes.js`, `src/input/keyboard/combo/KeyCombo.js`, `src/input/gamepad/GamepadPlugin.js`, `src/input/gamepad/Gamepad.js`, `src/input/events/`, `src/input/keyboard/events/`
**Related skills:** ../sprites-and-images/SKILL.md, ../events-system/SKILL.md, ../scenes/SKILL.md

## Quick Start (basic keyboard + pointer input)

```js
class MyScene extends Phaser.Scene {
    create() {
        // Keyboard: create cursor keys (up, down, left, right, space, shift)
        this.cursors = this.input.keyboard.createCursorKeys();

        // Keyboard: listen for a specific key event
        this.input.keyboard.on('keydown-SPACE', (event) => {
            console.log('Space pressed');
        });

        // Pointer: listen for click/tap anywhere on the game canvas
        this.input.on('pointerdown', (pointer) => {
            console.log('Clicked at', pointer.x, pointer.y);
        });

        // Pointer: make a Game Object interactive and clickable
        const sprite = this.add.sprite(400, 300, 'player');
        sprite.setInteractive();
        sprite.on('pointerdown', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => {
            console.log('Sprite clicked at local', localX, localY);
        });
    }

    update() {
        // Poll cursor keys each frame
        if (this.cursors.left.isDown) {
            // move left
        }
        if (this.cursors.right.isDown) {
            // move right
        }
        if (Phaser.Input.Keyboard.JustDown(this.cursors.space)) {
            // fire once per press
        }
    }
}
```

## Core Concepts

### The Input Plugin (this.input)

Accessed via `this.input` in any Scene. It is an `EventEmitter` that handles all input for that Scene.

Key properties:
- `this.input.enabled` (boolean) - toggle input processing for the Scene
- `this.input.topOnly` (boolean, default `true`) - only emit events from the top-most Game Object under the pointer
- `this.input.keyboard` - the KeyboardPlugin instance
- `this.input.gamepad` - the GamepadPlugin instance
- `this.input.mouse` - the MouseManager reference
- `this.input.activePointer` - the most recently active Pointer
- `this.input.mousePointer` - the mouse Pointer (pointers[0], distinct from pointer1 which is the first touch)
- `this.input.pointer1` through `this.input.pointer10` - individual pointer references
- `this.input.dragDistanceThreshold` (number, default 0) - pixels a pointer must move before drag starts
- `this.input.dragTimeThreshold` (number, default 0) - ms a pointer must be held before drag starts
- `this.input.pollRate` (number, default -1) - how often pointers are polled; 0 = every frame, -1 = only on movement

Key methods:
- `addPointer(quantity)` - add extra pointers for multi-touch (default is 2; max 10)
- `setHitArea(gameObjects, hitArea, hitAreaCallback)` - set custom hit area on Game Objects
- `setHitAreaCircle(gameObjects, x, y, radius, callback)`
- `setHitAreaEllipse(gameObjects, x, y, width, height, callback)`
- `setHitAreaRectangle(gameObjects, x, y, width, height, callback)`
- `setHitAreaTriangle(gameObjects, x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, callback)`
- `setHitAreaFromTexture(gameObjects, callback)` - use the texture frame dimensions
- `setDraggable(gameObjects, value)` - enable or disable dragging
- `makePixelPerfect(alphaTolerance)` - returns a callback for pixel-perfect hit testing

### Pointers

A `Pointer` object encapsulates both mouse and touch input. By default Phaser creates 2 pointers. Use `this.input.addPointer(quantity)` for more (up to 10 total).

Key properties:
- `x`, `y` - position in screen space (read from `position.x`, `position.y`)
- `worldX`, `worldY` - position translated through the most recent Camera
- `downX`, `downY` - position when button was pressed
- `upX`, `upY` - position when button was released
- `isDown` (boolean) - true if any button is held
- `primaryDown` (boolean) - true if primary button (left click / touch) is held
- `button` (number) - which button was pressed/released (0=left, 1=middle, 2=right)
- `buttons` (number) - bitmask of currently held buttons (1=left, 2=right, 4=middle, 8=back, 16=forward)
- `wasTouch` (boolean) - true if input came from touch
- `velocity` (Vector2) - smoothed velocity of pointer movement
- `angle` (number) - angle of movement in radians
- `distance` (number) - smoothed distance moved per frame
- `movementX`, `movementY` - relative movement when pointer is locked
- `deltaX`, `deltaY`, `deltaZ` - mouse wheel scroll amounts
- `locked` (boolean) - whether pointer lock is active
- `camera` - the Camera this Pointer last interacted with

Key methods:
- `leftButtonDown()`, `rightButtonDown()`, `middleButtonDown()`, `backButtonDown()`, `forwardButtonDown()` - check specific buttons
- `leftButtonReleased()`, `rightButtonReleased()`, `middleButtonReleased()` - check recent release
- `getDistance()` - distance between down position and current/up position
- `getDistanceX()`, `getDistanceY()` - horizontal/vertical distance
- `getDuration()` - ms between down and current time or up time
- `getAngle()` - angle between down and current/up position
- `updateWorldPoint(camera)` - recalculate worldX/worldY for a given camera
- `positionToCamera(camera, output)` - translate pointer position through a camera

### Interactive Game Objects (setInteractive)

Call `gameObject.setInteractive()` to enable input on a Game Object. This uses the texture frame as the hit area by default.

```js
// Default hit area from texture
sprite.setInteractive();

// Custom shape hit areas (Rectangle, Circle, Ellipse, Triangle, Polygon)
sprite.setInteractive(new Phaser.Geom.Circle(32, 32, 32), Phaser.Geom.Circle.Contains);
sprite.setInteractive(new Phaser.Geom.Ellipse(50, 50, 100, 60), Phaser.Geom.Ellipse.Contains);
sprite.setInteractive(new Phaser.Geom.Triangle(0,64,32,0,64,64), Phaser.Geom.Triangle.Contains);
sprite.setInteractive(new Phaser.Geom.Polygon(points), Phaser.Geom.Polygon.Contains);

// Pixel-perfect hit testing (expensive — use sparingly)
sprite.setInteractive({ pixelPerfect: true, alphaTolerance: 1 });
sprite.setInteractive(this.input.makePixelPerfect());
// With alpha tolerance (default 1):
sprite.setInteractive(this.input.makePixelPerfect(150));

// Config object with multiple options
sprite.setInteractive({
    draggable: true,
    dropZone: false,
    useHandCursor: true,
    cursor: 'pointer',
    pixelPerfect: true,
    alphaTolerance: 1
});

// Containers must specify a shape or call setSize first
container.setSize(200, 200);
container.setInteractive();
```

## Common Patterns

### Keyboard Input (cursors, addKey, isDown, JustDown)

**Cursor keys** return an object with `up`, `down`, `left`, `right`, `space`, `shift` Key objects:

```js
this.cursors = this.input.keyboard.createCursorKeys();

// In update():
if (this.cursors.up.isDown) { /* held */ }
if (this.cursors.space.isDown) { /* held */ }
```

**addKey** creates a Key object for any key:

```js
// By string name
const keyW = this.input.keyboard.addKey('W');
// By key code
const keySpace = this.input.keyboard.addKey(Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.SPACE);
// With options: addKey(key, enableCapture, emitOnRepeat)
const keyA = this.input.keyboard.addKey('A', true, false);
```

**addKeys** creates multiple keys at once:

```js
// Comma-separated string returns { W, S, A, D } Key objects
const keys = this.input.keyboard.addKeys('W,S,A,D');
if (keys.W.isDown) { /* ... */ }

// Object form with custom names
const keys = this.input.keyboard.addKeys({
    up: Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.W,
    down: Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.S,
    left: Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.A,
    right: Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.D
});
```

**Polling vs events:**

```js
// Polling in update() - check every frame
if (keyW.isDown) { /* key is currently held */ }
if (keyW.isUp) { /* key is currently released */ }

// JustDown - returns true only once per press, resets after check
if (Phaser.Input.Keyboard.JustDown(keyW)) { /* fire once */ }
if (Phaser.Input.Keyboard.JustUp(keyW)) { /* released once */ }

// checkDown with duration - throttled polling
if (this.input.keyboard.checkDown(keySpace, 250)) {
    // true at most once every 250ms while held
}

// Event-driven: listen for specific key
this.input.keyboard.on('keydown-SPACE', (event) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.keyboard.on('keyup-SPACE', (event) => { /* ... */ });

// Event-driven: listen for any key
this.input.keyboard.on('keydown', (event) => {
    console.log(event.key); // native DOM KeyboardEvent
});

// Event on a Key object itself
const spaceBar = this.input.keyboard.addKey('SPACE');
spaceBar.on('down', (key, event) => { /* Key object + native event */ });
spaceBar.on('up', (key, event) => { /* ... */ });
```

**Key object properties:**
- `isDown` / `isUp` (boolean)
- `keyCode` (number)
- `altKey`, `ctrlKey`, `shiftKey`, `metaKey` (boolean) - modifier state when pressed
- `duration` (number) - ms held in previous down-up cycle
- `timeDown`, `timeUp` (number) - timestamps
- `repeats` (number) - repeat count while held
- `emitOnRepeat` (boolean) - if true, fires 'down' event on each repeat
- `enabled` (boolean) - can this key be processed

**Prevent browser default behavior:**

```js
// Capture specific keys to prevent browser scrolling etc.
this.input.keyboard.addCapture('SPACE,UP,DOWN,LEFT,RIGHT');
this.input.keyboard.addCapture([ 32, 37, 38, 39, 40 ]);
this.input.keyboard.removeCapture('SPACE');
// Note: captures are global across all Scenes
```

**Common KeyCodes:** `BACKSPACE(8)`, `TAB(9)`, `ENTER(13)`, `SHIFT(16)`, `CTRL(17)`, `ALT(18)`, `ESC(27)`, `SPACE(32)`, `LEFT(37)`, `UP(38)`, `RIGHT(39)`, `DOWN(40)`, `A-Z(65-90)`, `ZERO-NINE(48-57)`, `F1-F12(112-123)`. Access via `Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.SPACE` etc.

### Mouse/Pointer Click and Hover

**Scene-level pointer events** (fire anywhere on the canvas):

```js
this.input.on('pointerdown', (pointer, currentlyOver) => {
    // pointer: Pointer object, currentlyOver: array of interactive Game Objects under pointer
});
this.input.on('pointerup', (pointer, currentlyOver) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.on('pointermove', (pointer, currentlyOver) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.on('wheel', (pointer, currentlyOver, deltaX, deltaY, deltaZ) => { /* ... */ });
```

**Game Object pointer events** (require setInteractive):

```js
sprite.setInteractive();

// pointerdown on this specific object
sprite.on('pointerdown', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => {
    // localX/localY are relative to the Game Object's top-left
    // event.stopPropagation() prevents the event from going further
});

sprite.on('pointerup', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('pointermove', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('pointerover', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('pointerout', (pointer, event) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('wheel', (pointer, deltaX, deltaY, deltaZ, event) => { /* ... */ });
```

**Right-click handling:**

```js
this.input.on('pointerdown', (pointer) => {
    if (pointer.rightButtonDown()) {
        // right-click
    }
});

// Disable context menu
this.input.mouse.disableContextMenu();
```

**Pointer lock (FPS-style mouse capture):**

```js
// Request lock on click
this.input.on('pointerdown', () => {
    this.input.mouse.requestPointerLock();
});

this.input.on('pointerlockchange', (event, locked) => {
    // locked: boolean
});

// Read relative movement while locked
// pointer.movementX, pointer.movementY
```

### Drag and Drop

```js
const sprite = this.add.sprite(400, 300, 'item');
sprite.setInteractive();
this.input.setDraggable(sprite);

// Or use config:
// sprite.setInteractive({ draggable: true });

// Drag events on the Scene input
this.input.on('dragstart', (pointer, gameObject) => {
    gameObject.setTint(0xff0000);
});

this.input.on('drag', (pointer, gameObject, dragX, dragY) => {
    gameObject.x = dragX;
    gameObject.y = dragY;
});

this.input.on('dragend', (pointer, gameObject) => {
    gameObject.clearTint();
});

// Drop zones
const zone = this.add.zone(600, 300, 200, 200).setRectangleDropZone(200, 200);

this.input.on('drop', (pointer, gameObject, dropZone) => {
    gameObject.x = dropZone.x;
    gameObject.y = dropZone.y;
});

this.input.on('dragenter', (pointer, gameObject, dropZone) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.on('dragleave', (pointer, gameObject, dropZone) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.on('dragover', (pointer, gameObject, dropZone) => { /* ... */ });
```

Game Object-level drag events are also available:

```js
sprite.on('drag', (pointer, dragX, dragY) => {
    sprite.x = dragX;
    sprite.y = dragY;
});
sprite.on('dragstart', (pointer, dragX, dragY) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('dragend', (pointer, dragX, dragY) => { /* ... */ });
sprite.on('drop', (pointer, dropZone) => { /* ... */ });
```

Drag thresholds:

```js
this.input.dragDistanceThreshold = 16; // must move 16px before drag starts
this.input.dragTimeThreshold = 200;    // must hold 200ms before drag starts
```

### Three Levels of Pointer Events

Pointer events fire at three levels (see [reference](references/REFERENCE.md#three-levels-of-pointer-events) for details):
1. **Game Object**: `gameObject.on('pointerdown', (pointer, localX, localY, event) => {})`
2. **Scene per-object**: `this.input.on('gameobjectdown', (pointer, gameObject, event) => {})`
3. **Scene global**: `this.input.on('pointerdown', (pointer, currentlyOver) => {})`

### Input Debug, topOnly, and Multi-touch Config

```js
// Debug visualize hit areas
this.input.enableDebug(gameObject);
this.input.enableDebug(gameObject, 0xff00ff);
this.input.removeDebug(gameObject);

// Let all objects under pointer receive events (not just top-most)
this.input.topOnly = false;
this.input.setTopOnly(false);
```

Multi-touch: set `config.input.activePointers` to reserve pointer slots at startup, or call `this.input.addPointer(num)` at runtime. Access via `this.input.pointer1` through `pointer10`.

### Gamepad Input

Enable gamepads in the game config:

```js
const config = {
    input: {
        gamepad: true
    }
};
```

Access via `this.input.gamepad`. Gamepads are available as `pad1` through `pad4`:

```js
// Wait for connection
this.input.gamepad.once('connected', (pad) => {
    console.log('Gamepad connected:', pad.id);
});

// If already connected, check total
if (this.input.gamepad.total > 0) {
    const pad = this.input.gamepad.pad1;
}
```

**Polling gamepad state in update():**

```js
update() {
    const pad = this.input.gamepad.pad1;
    if (!pad) return;

    // D-pad (boolean properties)
    if (pad.up) { /* d-pad up */ }
    if (pad.down) { /* d-pad down */ }
    if (pad.left) { /* d-pad left */ }
    if (pad.right) { /* d-pad right */ }

    // Face buttons (boolean) - Xbox naming convention
    if (pad.A) { /* bottom button (Xbox A / PS X) */ }
    if (pad.B) { /* right button (Xbox B / PS Circle) */ }
    if (pad.X) { /* left button (Xbox X / PS Square) */ }
    if (pad.Y) { /* top button (Xbox Y / PS Triangle) */ }

    // Shoulder buttons (float 0-1)
    if (pad.L1 > 0) { /* left shoulder top (LB) */ }
    if (pad.L2 > 0) { /* left shoulder bottom / trigger (LT) */ }
    if (pad.R1 > 0) { /* right shoulder top (RB) */ }
    if (pad.R2 > 0) { /* right shoulder bottom / trigger (RT) */ }

    // Analog sticks (Vector2, values -1 to 1)
    const lx = pad.leftStick.x;  // left stick horizontal
    const ly = pad.leftStick.y;  // left stick vertical
    const rx = pad.rightStick.x;
    const ry = pad.rightStick.y;

    // Raw axis/button access
    pad.getAxisValue(0);    // float
    pad.getButtonValue(0);  // float 0-1
    pad.isButtonDown(0);    // boolean
    pad.setAxisThreshold(0.1); // ignore values below threshold
}
```

**Gamepad events:**

```js
// Plugin-level events (any gamepad)
this.input.gamepad.on('connected', (pad, event) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.gamepad.on('disconnected', (pad, event) => { /* ... */ });
this.input.gamepad.on('down', (pad, button, value) => { /* any button on any pad */ });
this.input.gamepad.on('up', (pad, button, value) => { /* ... */ });

// Gamepad-instance events
pad.on('down', (index, value, button) => { /* button on this specific pad */ });
pad.on('up', (index, value, button) => { /* ... */ });
```

**Vibration (experimental, hardware/browser dependent):**

```js
if (pad.vibration) {
    pad.vibration.playEffect('dual-rumble', {
        duration: 200,
        strongMagnitude: 1.0,
        weakMagnitude: 0.5
    });
}
```

### Key Combos

Listen for a sequence of keys:

```js
// String-based combo
this.input.keyboard.createCombo('PHASER');

// Array of key codes (Konami code)
this.input.keyboard.createCombo(
    [ 38, 38, 40, 40, 37, 39, 37, 39, 66, 65, 13 ],
    { resetOnMatch: true }
);

// Listen for match
this.input.keyboard.on('keycombomatch', (keyCombo, event) => {
    console.log('Combo matched!');
});
```

**createCombo(keys, config):**
- `keys`: a string (each character is a key) or an array of key codes / Key objects
- `config.resetOnWrongKey` (boolean, default true) - reset progress if wrong key is pressed
- `config.maxKeyDelay` (number, default 0) - max ms between key presses; 0 = no limit
- `config.resetOnMatch` (boolean, default false) - reset combo after a successful match
- `config.deleteOnMatch` (boolean, default false) - remove combo after first match

For detailed configuration options, API reference tables, and source file maps, see [the reference guide](references/REFERENCE.md).