Dev uses Claude AI to create native macOS driver for 'obscure' Windows-only printer — Linux container hack enables system-wide Cmd-P printing, driver now available on Github

A developer has created a macOS driver for the HP Laser 1008a printer, which was initially only compatible with Windows machines. The driver was developed using Claude Code, an AI coding assistant. The HP Laser 1008a is a rebadged version of Samsung’s SPL3 lasers, which do not support common printing standards like PostScript or PCL, nor do they work with open-source drivers or Apple AirPrint.

To make the printer compatible with macOS, the developer used HP's rastertospl, which is also used by the HP Unified Linux Driver. The new macOS driver works by inserting this codec inside a tiny Linux container, allowing the printer to be accessed system-wide and printed from using just Cmd-P from any app. The setup process is simple, requiring only Homebrew, a package manager for macOS, and involves running a single command in Terminal.

After installation, the printer will appear as HP Laser 1008a, and users can print from any app. The driver can be found on GitHub for others to use. However, users should be aware that the driver may be slow at first, Colima must be running, and they may need to update their USB product ID if the printer is not found.