DeskPad is a virtual monitor for screen sharing that creates an additional display within an application window on macOS.
The tool addresses the problem of presenting on large displays to audiences who cannot see details clearly. When a presenter needs to share their entire screen while switching between applications, a large monitor makes content difficult for viewers to follow. DeskPad solves this by creating a virtual display that macOS treats as a real connected monitor, mirroring its contents within the application window. This lets presenters work on a dedicated, smaller workspace that is easier for audiences to view during screen sharing.
DeskPad suits presenters and educators who regularly share their screens and want to control the visible workspace size independently of their physical display. The tool works like any standard external monitor from macOS's perspective, so windows automatically arrange themselves according to saved configurations. Users can adjust the virtual display resolution through system preferences, and the application window resizes to match. The tool provides visual feedback by highlighting the title bar in blue when the cursor moves to the virtual display, helping presenters stay oriented.
Development activity shows consistent maintenance with regular updates addressing user-reported issues and system compatibility. The project demonstrates responsiveness to bug reports and feature requests from users encountering problems with screen recording permissions or display functionality. Work includes refinements to the core mirroring mechanism and improvements to the user experience around cursor tracking and window management.
