What is the PIE file format?
.pie files are plain-text script files for GlovePIE (Glove Programmable Input Emulator), a Windows application originally created by Carl Kenner around 2000.
GlovePIE was built to map input from physical devices - initially the Essential Reality P5 Data Glove - to standard keyboard, mouse, or joystick signals that Windows games and applications could recognize. The .pie scripting language uses a Basic/C-like syntax of assignment statements: mapping a button press or sensor value to a keyboard key, mouse movement, or joystick axis. The runtime polls devices continuously and executes the script in a loop.
The format peaked in popularity between 2007 and 2011, when gamers used GlovePIE to connect Nintendo Wii Remotes (Wiimotes) to PCs via Bluetooth. Thousands of .pie scripts were shared across gaming forums for this purpose. Because files are plain ASCII text, they can be opened and edited in any text editor.
Development of GlovePIE stopped around 2012 and the original glovepie.org website went offline. The last release (version 0.45) is now preserved by the GlovePIEPreservation community on GitHub. The software is 32-bit only and may require compatibility settings on modern 64-bit Windows. For current input-remapping needs, alternatives include AutoHotkey, reWASD, and BetterJoy (for Nintendo controllers).
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .pie file itself is plain text and cannot harm your computer. The GlovePIE application it runs in, however, intercepts and re-maps system input at a low level - a malicious .pie script could, for example, silently perform key presses in the background. Only run .pie scripts from trusted, well-understood sources. Additionally, GlovePIE is abandoned software; avoid downloading it from unofficial mirrors that might bundle malware - use only the GlovePIEPreservation GitHub release. Modern Windows may flag it as an unknown publisher; run with caution and verify the SHA hash if possible.
Format details
in a nutshell- Propellerhead Reason / ReWire PIE file - Some Propellerhead audio software documentation references .pie but this is an unrelated internal format; the dominant use of .pie is GlovePIE scripts.
- PIE (Photoshop Image Effects / plug-in) - Some older Adobe Photoshop plug-in systems used .pie for effect plug-in files - completely unrelated to GlovePIE.
Programs that open PIE files
Windows3 apps
Notepad
Open-source Open the .pie for syntax-highlighted editing; GlovePIE syntax is similar to Basic/C# so VB or C syntax highlighting works adequately. 
GlovePIE 0.45 (preserved)
Free File > Open the .pie script, then click Run to execute the input mapping. Note: 32-bit app, may need compatibility settings on Windows 10/11.
Notepad / any text editor
Built-in Open the .pie in Notepad (or any text editor) to read, edit or modify the script - it is plain text. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Plain-text GlovePIE script file |
| Encoding | ASCII or UTF-8 |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 100 KB (from simple button mappings to complex controller scripts) |
| Script syntax | Basic/C-like assignment statements mapping input device signals to keyboard, mouse or joystick output; supports if/else, variables, loops and basic math |
| Supported input devices | P5 Data Glove, Nintendo Wii Remote (via Bluetooth), joysticks, gamepads and other HID devices |
| Supported output emulation | Keyboard, mouse, DirectInput joystick/gamepad |
| Platform | Windows only (32-bit; may require compatibility settings on 64-bit Windows) |
| Development status | Abandoned since ~2012; original glovepie.org website is offline |
| Preservation repository | GlovePIEPreservation on GitHub hosts the last release (v0.45) and documentation |
| Modern alternatives | AutoHotkey, reWASD (general input remapping); BetterJoy (Nintendo controller mapping) |
| Released | circa 2000 (GlovePIE originally built for the Essential Reality P5 Data Glove) |
| Latest version | GlovePIE 0.45 (last release by Carl Kenner, ~2012; abandoned; original site glovepie.org went offline) |
| Specification | github.com |
PIE conversions
Community Q&A
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