A couple similar examples for people familiar with other languages…

Python… https://learn.adafruit.com/custom-hid-devices-in-circuitpyth...

Arduino… https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_TinyUSB_Arduino

Author also has a pretty good channel about Elixir things: https://www.youtube.com/@underjord

Pretty good.. I will take it!

I keep thinking old like some physical buttons for things like “back to home virtual desktop”, “go to virtual desktop 2”, dials for volume… etc.

I have a Keychron Q1 that has a knob for volume, and it's very hand for sure! Common use case is when boosting people's volume when Zoom speakers have a quiet mic, for example. Or for when a musical breakdown is impending :)

There is a Stream Deck that is 8 buttons, an LCD touch strip, and 4 knobs for $200: https://amzn.com/dp/B0BJL8SJ59

That's the one in the post even.