Use Claude to probe hardware and write a driver

A user had Claude inspect a USB device and help build a new driver for hardware that broke on a newer macOS.

Done with Claudeยท Advancedยท Oct 2026

What they did
They plugged an old printer into a computer over USB and let Claude inspect how it behaved. For diagnosis, Claude asked the user to do hands-on checks, like comparing grayscale output, judging the quality of page 1 versus page 2, clearing a paper fault, and then reloading paper to test duplex printing. The same approach was also used with remotes and a Rodecaster.
How it went
The printer started working again after the new driver was installed. The commenter said the method is mostly token-costly and seems to work best on devices that are not tightly locked down, including phones.
Tips
This is one anecdote, not a proven workflow. It helps to have a device you can safely test by hand and to keep the agent limited to read-only probing until you approve any risky step.

Try it yourself with Claude

Help me reverse engineer the hardware for my [device model] connected by [USB/other connection] and write a driver for [OS/version]. Start by telling me exactly what to inspect or run, and wait for my report before drawing conclusions. Use my replies to infer how the device communicates, then draft driver code, build/install steps, and test checks. Before any action that could change firmware, delete data, send data, or alter system settings, stop and ask for my approval. Finish by giving me a short verification checklist for [function I need, e.g. printing, scanning, duplex] and tell me what to watch for if the device behaves oddly.

Fill in the [brackets]. Agents can make mistakes, so review anything before it is sent, paid or deleted.

Read the original on news.ycombinator.com โ†—

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