Programming Keyboards

All right, you are serious and want to adopt the keyboard to your needs!

Naturally, first you need a programmable keyboard. Certainly, there might be provider-specific hardware-software solutions. But if you want to have full control, plenty of features, and support by a helpful and competent community, you should go for QMK https://qmk.fm/.

Basically, all keyboards described in this book can be programmed with QMK, with the exception of commercial end-products. For example, if you try reprogramming your Apple or Corsair keyboard, probably you will feel very lonely.

On the other side, there are high-end keyboards, such as the Ergodox and the Multisteno, that come with QMK compatibility and provider support for reprogramming.

QMK The QMK Configurator [@qmk-contributors_qmk_2022].

Remapping

Additional Features

QMK Command Line Interface

Prepare QMK

pipx install qmk
qmk setup

Directory and File Structure

~/qmk_firmware/keyboards/handwired/dactyl_manuform/4x6/keymaps/colemakdh_dactyl-manuform-4x6/

config.h  
keymap.c  
rules.mk

Personal QMK Git Repository You can create a Git repository for your personal QMK projects, and include the keyboard layouts into the qmk_firmware/keyboards/ path with symbolic links. My QMK repository is at https://github.com/robert-winkler/QMK.git

Define Keyboard and Keymap

qmk config flash.keyboard=handwired/dactyl_manuform/4x6 flash.keymap=colemakdh_dactyl-manuform-4x6

Flash Arduino

For a split keyboard, you need to flash the Arduino of each part.

qmk flash

Shortly connect the ground (GND) and reset (RST) pins of the Arduino for putting it into flashing mode.

I’m Stuck, Bricked My Keyboard Software, etc.

Don’t panic! Most programming issues will not permanently affect your keyboard. If you can’t find the solution to your problem in the QMK documentation, you will find helpful people in the QMK Discord channel.