Smart Card Command Tool - User Guide

Send Command is an easy-to-use graphical application for communicating with smart card readers and cards. Whether you need to test APDU commands or send low-level escape commands to your reader hardware, this tool provides a simple interface with automatic connection management.

What You Can Do

• Send APDU Commands: Communicate with smart cards using standard protocols.
• Send Escape Commands: Access reader hardware directly for advanced operations.
• Test Commands: Verify your smart card applications and reader functionality.
• Debug Issues: Get detailed response logging and error information.

Quick Start

1. Install Dependencies (see Installation section below).
2. Run the Application: python Send_Command.py
3. Select Your Reader from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose Command Type (APDU or Escape) by entering the command in the respective input field.
5. Enter Your Command in hexadecimal format.
6. Click Send and view the response in the log area.

Usage Patterns

GUI Mode (Interactive)

# Send APDU and escape commands via unified GUI
python Send_Command.py

CLI Mode (Command Line)

# Run command-line example demonstrating API usage
python example_cli.py

The CLI example (example_cli.py) demonstrates:

• Listing available readers
• Sending APDU commands (Get Card UID example)
• Sending escape commands (Get Reader Info example)
• Interactive mode for custom commands

Advanced Usage

For developers who wish to integrate smart card functionality into their own Python applications, please refer to the API Reference (API_REFERENCE.md) for detailed programmatic examples and function documentation.

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Windows

Dependencies

For both applications:

• Python 3.6+ (from python.org or Microsoft Store)
• tkinter (included with standard Python from python.org)
• pyscard
• Windows Smart Card API (built into Windows)

Installation

From an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell:

pip install pyscard

If you get a tkinter import error, reinstall Python from python.org and ensure “tcl/tk and IDLE” is selected during setup.

Usage

REM Run unified Send Command application
python Send_Command.py

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macOS

Dependencies

For both applications:

• Python 3.6+ (recommended: from python.org or via Homebrew)
• tkinter (included with Python from python.org; on Homebrew Python you may need python-tk)
• pyscard
• PCSC framework (pre-installed on macOS)

Installation

Using pip for the active Python 3:

pip install pyscard

If you get a tkinter import error:

• Install Python from python.org or
• On Homebrew: brew install python-tk

Usage

# Run unified Send Command application
python3 Send_Command.py

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Ubuntu / Linux

Dependencies

For both applications:

• Python 3.6+
• python3-tk (system package providing Tkinter)
• pyscard (Python package)
• pcscd (PC/SC daemon)
• libpcsclite1 and libpcsclite-dev (PC/SC libraries)

Installation

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python3-tk
sudo apt-get install pcscd libpcsclite1 libpcsclite-dev
sudo systemctl start pcscd
sudo systemctl enable pcscd
pip install pyscard

Usage

# Run unified Send Command application
python3 Send_Command.py

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Features

Send_Command.py (GUI Application)

• Unified GUI Interface: Single application for both APDU and escape commands
• Automatic Connection Management: Connect-send-disconnect flow for each command
• Dual Command Support:
  • APDU commands: Communicate with smart cards via standard protocols
  • Escape commands: Direct hardware communication with readers
• Real-time Response Logging: Detailed command execution feedback
• Platform Compatibility: Cross-platform support (Windows/macOS/Linux)
• Error Handling: Comprehensive error reporting and troubleshooting guidance

example_cli.py (CLI Example)

• Command-Line Interface: Demonstrates API usage without GUI dependencies
• Multiple Examples: Shows APDU and escape command usage patterns
• Interactive Mode: Allows custom command input for testing
• Educational: Clear examples for developers learning the API