mechanical keyboard newswire
daily mechanical keyboards, firmware & tools
QMK for Redragon K580 RGB and others with WCH CH555-family 8051 microcontrollers¶
Announcement of QMK support for multiple Redragon models using WCH CH555 8051 microcontrollers, including compatibility checks via USB VID:PID.
Replacement controller board for Filco Majestouch¶
Custom QMK-compatible drop-in board enabling NKRO over USB for the Filco Majestouch without an external decoder.
GlidePoint diagnosing issues - zmk.¶
Technical troubleshooting of I2C configuration and Data Ready pin requirements for the Cirque GlidePoint trackpad in ZMK.
Flashing Miryoku to a 5 column corne with ZMK¶
User shares a troubleshooting journey regarding ZMK build inputs and firmware flashing issues on a custom Corne layout.
Ducky One 3 TKL - Added support for QMK/VIA with RGB and layer support¶
User successfully ported QMK/VIA firmware to the Ducky One 3 TKL (Nuvoton NUC1261BSP), enabling full RGB, layers, and macro support.
INGLORIOUS Advanced: custom QMK firmware and a desktop configurator for supported Glorious keyboards¶
Open-source desktop configurator and custom QMK-based firmware allowing persistent key assignments, macros, and lighting for Glorious keyboards without needing the app running.
ZMK Keymap Editor¶
Browser-based editor for ZMK keymaps that displays firmware bindings and resulting characters for Linux/Windows, with support for loading from GitHub and committing changes.
Double-tapping the spacebar inserts a period followed by a space¶
Discussion on implementing "double-space for period" functionality via tap dances in QMK, Vial, or ZMK, noting issues with fast keyrolls.
Reverse engineering a non-QMK Keychron K10 (Bluetooth BLE + Linux/Waybar/GUI tool in Rust)¶
Technical deep-dive into extracting battery telemetry from non-QMK Keychron hardware via USB and BLE reverse engineering.
ZMK Layer HUD, a live on-screen HUD for ZMK keyboards¶
Open-source tool that displays live ZMK layer states and key presses on-screen using a dedicated firmware module.
NEXUS ZMK Smart dongle update¶
Announcement of a ZMK firmware update for the NEXUS keyboard featuring performance improvements and a new game center.
NEXUS ZMK Smart dongle update¶
Detailed release notes for the NEXUS ZMK update, including smarter screen redraws, 7 new games, and display sleep features.
Repost Nexus Update¶
Reposted technical details on the NEXUS firmware update, highlighting performance optimizations and expanded game library.
I made a custom firmware for my split keyboard to run the snake game on the backlight¶
Technical discussion on implementing a custom 1.2kb firmware to run a snake game on a split keyboard's backlight without host interaction.
ZMK Vim Mode - A second take on syncing my keyboards with VIM¶
Detailed technical discussion on implementing VIM mode layers in ZMK, addressing state drift and host synchronization issues.
Setting up qmk CLI on nix¶
Technical troubleshooting of QMK CLI compatibility with NixOS flake inputs and repository management constraints.
Anti-ghosting Japanese duplex matrix¶
Alex Miller introduces a new method to prevent ghosting of keyboards using the Japanese duplex matrix.
ZSA adds dual navigator support for Voyager and Moonlander¶
Firmware update allows connecting two pointing devices simultaneously to Voyager and Moonlander keyboards.
Chosfox Geonix Rev 2.5¶
Review of the Chosfox Geonix Rev 2.5 ortholinear board. While primarily hardware, the discussion centers on QMK/VIA compatibility and the user experience of the new layout.
Android QMK media controls?¶
Technical query on whether standard QMK media control codes (brightness/volume) register correctly on Android devices.
[WIP] Building a handheld 8-key chording keyboard to type while walking.¶
A unique WIP build using Seeed Studio XIAO BLE (ZMK-compatible) for a wireless chording keyboard.
Upgraded my "raveniung" and "ravensplit" keyboards with a Azoteq trackpad :-D¶
Integration of an Azoteq touchpad into split keyboards, likely involving custom firmware for gesture handling.
Key overrides in vial / qmk¶
Discussion on configuring Shumift backspace as delete in QMK/Via, noting conflicts when using Vial for other settings.
How to enable NKRO?¶
Discussion on verifying NKRO status in QMK without relying on magic key combos, noting issues with key rollover limits.
Building ZMK Firmware Locally on Apple Silicon MacBooks Without Docker¶
Tutorial on compiling ZMK locally on M-series Macs to bypass GitHub Actions wait times, including a build script.
ZMK sometimes rapidly repeats keys?¶
User reports rapid key repetition (e.g., 'i' becoming 'iiii...') on a Bluetooth ZMK board under Linux/Wayland, seeking causes.
Updated TOTEM dongle zmk module¶
Author migrated their dongle setup into a standalone ZMK module after Zephyr 4.1 broke their config; useful for others using the TOTEM dongle.
Fully Custom Keyboard¶
Custom PCB and case design by the author; QMK firmware with calc/volume keys.
keyboard base on zmk¶
Showcase of a portable Bluetooth keyboard using ZMK firmware.
Recent Ergodox Infinity keymap example?¶
User seeking a modern Ergodox Infinity keymap example with `visualizer.c` support after updating QMK.
ZMK - Double Tap Hold for momentary layer¶
Discussion on implementing complex double-tap-hold behavior for momentary layers in ZMK, specifically for the Night layout.
There is an update to the Galaxy XR firmware as of today, May 5, 2026¶
Major Android XR update rolling out with auto-spatialization and improved hand/eye tracking.
[US-WI] [H] Ataraxia wireless trackball keyboard [W] PayPal, Venmo¶
Sale of a pre-programmed Ataraxia with ZMK Studio firmware support.
Keychron J2 HE stuck in a 'bootloader mode'.¶
Troubleshooting a Keychron J2 HE stuck in bootloader mode after a firmware glitch.
Mx mechanical mini qmk¶
User shares a GitHub repo with working QMK code and individually addressable backlighting for the MX Mechanical Mini.
Inline hardware device for host-independent remaps/macros: useful niche, or useless?¶
Discussion on validating a hardware USB device concept for host-independent remapping, comparing it to software solutions like QMK/VIA/Kanata.
It's all wired up. Now all I have to do is learn to code.¶
OP is a complete beginner who just finished their first build and is now tackling the firmware coding aspect. High engagement due to the "journey" narrative.
Finally designed my own shell, PCB and top plate!¶
Custom build running KMK (Kaleidosaurus Microkernel) on an RP2040. Interesting technical discussion on the design process and sound test.
How to use QMK's matrix implementation as a custom lite matrix?¶
Technical discussion on leveraging QMK's matrix scanning code for custom firmware.
ZSA releases Zapp CLI tool and Classic Books mode for typ.ing¶
ZSA introduces Zapp, an open-source terminal tool for flashing firmware, and a new Classic Books mode on typ.ing for typing practice.
Self designed ISO MX PCB to fit Holy80¶
Small couple-designed ISO PCB that uses QMK — notable because it’s a custom ISO PCB + full RGB and shows a DIY ISO QMK build that others may reuse.
Krteq (Open source)¶
New open-source 61-key unibody using Raspberry Pi Pico and QMK/VIA — notable for Gateron LP 3.0 compatibility and hotswap support.
Connecting Issues¶
First-build connectivity problems (Supermini MCU + ZMK) — several troubleshooting replies (worthwatch if ZMK USB/bluetooth fixes emerge).
Binepad BNK-16 - Review and issues¶
Detailed review of BNK-16 with VIA/QMK issues — JSON save/load breaks layer switching, modifier+mousewheel combos don't work, poor vendor support.