An old printer got a driver for a new macOS
revolvingthrow used Claude to build a driver when an old printer no longer worked with macOS 27. He describes himself as the one who ran the tests the model asked for, including greyscale and duplex.
Done with ClaudeAdvanced
What was done
On 15 October 2026 revolvingthrow writes on Hacker News that he has let a model inspect electronics he owns, over USB. An old printer no longer worked with macOS 27. He used Claude for the driver. The model asked him to test: did the text get fainter line by line, did greyscale work, was the first page lower resolution than the second, and did duplex work after the paper was unloaded and loaded again. He writes that he knew little about hardware beforehand.
How it went
He writes that the printer works with the new driver. The post does not name the printer and does not say the driver is published.
Worth knowing
He ran the tests himself. A driver that works on his machine is not tested on yours. USB gear you do not own does not belong in this task.
How to do it
- Connect a printer you own. Ask the agent to propose a driver and say what it will change.
- Run the tests yourself: one page, greyscale, two pages.
- Do not install the driver for anyone else until you have seen the print.
Try it with Claude
The printer [model], which I own, does not work with [operating system]. Propose what a simple print needs. Do not install anything until I say yes. I will run the tests: one page, greyscale and duplex.
Replace text in brackets with your own.
Done when. You have a print you have seen yourself, and nothing has been installed for anyone else.
Safety rule. Only equipment you own. No installation until you have said yes and seen a test page.
Read the original
Read the original · revolvingthrow on Hacker News ·