Methods, systems, and storage media are presented for operating a drill string within a well. Exemplary implementations may: detect, using one or more sensors, data representing an analog control command sequence; analyze the analog control command sequence; determine that the control command sequence represents a command to change an operational mode of the drill string from a first operational mode to a second operational mode; and transmit a signal to an actuator of the drill string, the signal representing an electronic command to activate the actuator in such a way as to change the drill string from the first operational mode to the second operational mode. In some embodiments, the analog control sequence may comprise a predetermined sequence of rotational inputs, vibrational inputs, pressure inputs, or a combination thereof.