TamperMonkey-Red-Cursor-Google-Docs

A lightweight TamperMonkey userscript that makes the text caret (blinking cursor) bright red in Google Docs for improved visibility.
Optionally, it can also replace the mouse pointer with a red arrow for better contrast.
Now includes a built-in control panel to customize caret color, pointer color, and pointer size, with settings saved automatically.

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Animated Demo

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Install Methods

There are two ways to install this script. Most users should use Option 1 (Recommended).
Option 2 is provided only for reference and is not maintained.

Option 1: Recommended – Launcher Stub

This method uses a tiny stub file (docs-caret-vis-control.user.js) that automatically pulls in the full implementation and keeps it updated.

1. Install TamperMonkey.
2. Open the Raw link to TamperMonkey-Installer-docs-caret-vis-control.user.js.
   TamperMonkey will prompt to install or update automatically.
3. Reload any open Google Docs tabs.

Option 2: Manual – Legacy Script (Not Updated)

This is an older standalone script. It works, but it is not actively updated. Use only if you specifically want a single self-contained script without relying on the stub.

1. Install TamperMonkey
2. Open the Raw link to tampermonkey-cursor-control.js.
3. Copy/paste the contents into a new TamperMonkey script or confirm the installation prompt.
4. Reload any open Google Docs tabs.

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Static Screenshots

Light Mode	Dark Mode

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Features

• High-contrast red caret overlay in Google Docs
• Optional red mouse pointer (with adjustable size)
• Works inside Docs iframes
• Full debug logging (toggleable)
• Hotkeys (fully disableable with one switch)
• Interactive control panel:
  • Change caret color
  • Change pointer color
  • Adjust pointer size with a slider
  • Save settings (persist across reloads)
  • Exit the panel with a button or Escape key
• Configurable via script variables:
  • CARET_COLOR – caret color (default: #ff0000)
  • POINTER_COLOR – pointer arrow color (default: #ff0000)
  • CARET_WIDTH – caret width in pixels
  • CARET_BLINKMS – blink speed
  • HOLD_LAST_MS – keep caret visible briefly on selection flicker
  • RED_POINTER_ENABLED – toggle red pointer on/off
  • RED_POINTER_FORCE_EVERYWHERE – override I-beam everywhere (or keep I-beam in text fields)
  • RED_POINTER_PIXEL_SIZE – pointer nominal size (in pixels)
  • HOTKEYS – enable/disable hotkeys entirely
  • DEBUG – enable/disable debug logs

Hotkeys (when HOTKEYS = true)

Use Ctrl+Alt+ + key combinations:

• C – toggle caret overlay
• D – toggle debug logging
• P – toggle red pointer
• - / + – decrease / increase pointer size
• 9 – reset all colors and pointer size to a defaults preset
• O – open/close the control panel (caret color, pointer color, pointer size)
• S – save options panel settings without closing the panel
• Esc – Escape/Close options panel

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Screenshot Options Menu	Screenshot Controls

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Files

• TamperMonkey-Installer-docs-caret-vis-control.user.js — minimal userscript stub with metadata and @require to load the implementation (actively maintained)
• pointer-caret-color-vis-control.js — modular userscript implementation (used by the stub, actively maintained)
• tampermonkey-cursor-control.js — legacy standalone script (not updated long term)
• README.md, LICENSE

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – see LICENSE.