There is software that you can run on a laptop which will convert midi CC to keystrokes. It will behave the same as if you could send keystrokes over a midi cable.
Just pick a set of CC’s on a new midi channel and send them to that program which is configured to send keystrokes (when it sees those CC’s) to your app.
On macOS I know BetterTouchTool works. There are others. Good luck