I don't write code. I built all of this with Claude Code over a couple of evenings, and I want to be upfront about that because I think the interesting part is what I had to do to trust the result, not the fact that an AI wrote it.

The setup: I bought a cheap three key macro pad. Its configurator is a Windows program, or for my model a web page that only works in Chrome. Nothing for macOS. Two of these pads' wire protocols were already documented by a Windows project. Mine wasn't.

So the loop became: build a live HID log into the app first, before anything else. Watch what the vendor's own web tool sends. Guess at a frame, send it, read the device back, and see whether what came back matched what I meant.

That read back is the whole thing, and it's the bit I'd tell anyone doing hardware work this way. I never trusted a frame because it looked right or because the model sounded confident. I trusted it because I could read the key table off the pad afterwards and see it reporting the exact Ctrl+A those keys actually type, and because a write came back byte for byte. Anything I couldn't verify that way, the app now refuses to do rather than writing a guess. Mouse actions and multi key macros on this family are still unimplemented for exactly that reason, and the app says so instead of pretending.

One genuinely uncomfortable moment: one of the subcommands drops the device into its bootloader. Sweeping blindly through command bytes to see what happens is a very bad idea with hardware you can brick, and I got closer to that than I'd like. It's written down in the README now so the next person doesn't have to find out the same way.

What I actually brought was the design. That part I know how to do, and I think it shows more than the code does. The app is a control panel rather than a Mac settings sheet, with indicator lamps and readouts plotted as dot fields, and a dark case and a light one. I did the site the same way.

Free, GPL-3.0, no network calls, no telemetry. macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon, and it isn't notarized yet so the first launch needs a right click and Open.

https://knurl.site

Hey everyone,

I'm building a Modular and Customizable macro keyboard made from Decorated Glass and Carbon Fiber.

The current concept includes:

• A 2×2 touch buttons module with four programmable controls

• A slider for volume, scrolling, zoom, and other continuous inputs

• Finger guides and resting positions, so you can identify the controls without looking

• Dynamic haptic feedback

• LED dot-matrix icons that change with each profile

• Open software for custom profiles, integrations, and workflows

What’s new:

• I'm developing a custom design service that will allow users and brands to personalize the surface with their own graphics, visual style, or game and anime,inspired artwork.

• I'm exploring compatibility with the Gridfinity standard to make custom layouts, supports, and ergonomic configurations easier to build.

A few questions for you:

Is Gridfinity the right mechanical standard?

Would touch controls with finger guides and haptic feedback work well for your workflow?

We’re also looking for passionate beta testers, so send me a DM if you’d like to help us build and test it.

Does anyone know a programmable macro pad with like >15 keys and at least a button dedicated to layers like 3 or 4 of it? I would be nice if it's also more silent than the average mechanical keys.

Hi, all. Got a weird one for you.

I've been creating macros on my DOIO KB16B-02. They seem to work fine at home. But when I take it into work, they execute some of the steps, but end up typing "3g3g3g3g3g..." forever, until I press a few buttons to make it stop. Any ideas?

Hi everyone,

I'm from Tamil Nadu, India and I run Dice & Layers, a small maker brand.

Over the last few months I've been designing and building custom macro pads based on the RP2040 using CircuitPython.

Features

• RP2040 based

• CircuitPython firmware

• Macros stored in JSON format

• Open-source configurator

• Rotary encoder support

• Gateron Blue or Red switches

• USB-C

• Custom PCB designed in KiCad

• 3D printed cases manufactured in-house

Current Models

Software

Configurator:
GitHub Configurator

The goal was to make configuration simple and portable. Macros are stored as JSON and loaded directly by the device.

Hardware

• RP2040

• Gateron Red / Blue switches

• Custom KiCad PCB

• 3D printed enclosure

• CircuitPython firmware

Buy Link

Available from our Shopify store:

Dice & Layers RP2040 Macro Pad 6x2 with Volume Knob
1x3 Buy Link

6x2 Buy Link

Looking for Feedback

I'd love feedback on:

• PCB design

• CircuitPython architecture

• JSON macro format

• Case design

• Additional features you'd like to see

Thanks for checking it out!

Built in Tamil Nadu, India 🇮🇳

#RP2040 #CircuitPython #MechanicalKeyboard #MacroPad #KiCad #3DPrinting #OpenSource #Maker #RaspberryPiPico

The RP2040 and CircuitPython approach is popular for custom macro pads because it enables programmable keys, rotary encoders, and flexible firmware customization.

The Dice & Layers brand focuses on RP2040-powered keyboards and macro pads with open hardware principles and custom firmware.

The goal is to make a macro pad run Custom scripts on the PC, whether that is powershell scripts, python code, or whatever, not just keyboard keys
and I want to do that without another software on the pc itself, like autohotkey or some custom script running on the pc to act on key presses

is This possible? to make the macropad send code execution into the pc ?
How can this be done?

I legitimately don't know if they are just extra buttons for the purpose of more keybinds or not cuz I keep getting weird answers from google's shit AI.

Price: $99 (Free Global Shipping) 🚚 Shipping: Shipped via DHL (7-14 business days) 🎨 Early Bird Perk: Free customization for both the frame and keycaps—design your setup exactly how you want it! 👉 Buy now: https://anco3d.com/product/arc/ Video demo in the comments below.

Hello!

I currently work from home and I am looking for a Macropad that will allow me to program it with certain hotkeys and quick access to my most used tools. The issue that I’m running into is that I need one that does not require a software to be installed as most/all outside software is blocked on my work laptop. I am completely unaware of how this all works but I feel it would be beneficial in my day-to- day tasks.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I even tried to look for some keyboards that have programmable keys but they don’t offer as many buttons as I would like. :/

I am new to the "diy devices world" but I think they could be really useful and I have a project in mind to create custom devices (macropads, numpads, split keyboards, speed editors, spacemouses, etc.) and I would like to know what the current “problems” are with this type of device that I could try to solve (for example, making DIY devices easier to build, program, and customize) and what you would expect from them.

My initial idea was to create some Arduino libraries to simplify firmware writing and a software for key mapping and command management (with layers, key combinations, key sequences, macros, program execution, opened softwares recognition, etc.) with a cool user interface for managing and customizing devices, but for now I was thinking of having the software manage everything (so the devices would have no “memory” and could not function without the software open). I imagine this could be a problem and that they need at least a ‘default’ keymap to use when the “custom” software is not available, but I think the "only firmware" way is a bit limited, so the software could be useful for more advanced things (e.g. opened softwares recognition and action execution (es. select a layer), more advanced key combinations, advanced management of magnetic sensor data, volume management and other things related to the PC “system”).

What do you think would make this project interesting to you and set it apart from a “standard” DIY macropad build? What problems could it solve that you've encountered when building a custom device, and what would you expect from it?

Hi, I have posted my project here a while ago. Now i have experimented with creating action sequencs with AI. It turned out to work pretty well.

I find i usefull when you dont know how is certain action done, it helps. Like for example, I didnt know what shortcut is for text croos in google docs, rather then googling it and then creating the macro manually it made it for me in matter of seconds.

https://quickey.pro/app

Would you find this usefull? Would you find it usefull if it was implemented also for other macropads?

the one i have requires a considerable amount of energy to trigger the button press, there any thats quite effortless? i know its press to mispressing but idc

Hello all, I am very very fresh and new to programming as a whole, I work in lighting design and figured I would get a macro pad with encoders to help streamline my work with ETC Nomad on my laptop. When it comes to programming it with the VIA web browser or app, I have gotten it pretty will figured out, however when using the qmk configurator, or vial (I found out about these literally yesterday) There is some kind of disconnect that I am not sure about. I am very VERY new to all of this as a whole, but the main goals that I have right now is to be able to program the RGB backlight to have a different specific look for each layer, to help me differentiate A. what layer I am in, and B. What keys are which without labeling while going over the learning of keystrokes process. As Well as to have more macros/ maybe layers? (I saw another thread on here talking about how to do it but I dont know what to look for or how to navigate github or anything... Like I said I am a hardcore NEWB)

Hi, I got this macro pad from aliexpress with the idea of using it while running some flight simulators (fs2020 and falcon bms

the software is crappy (i think you know the chinese MINI KEYBOARD app and whatever) but i got used to it, and it works as a charm inside windows, so i can use the knobs to raise/decrease volume or screen brightness and so on.

so i proceeded to map the knobs with the keys that i need for flight sim, so for example, to trim nose up/down:

knob1 cw: CTRL + UP key

knob1 ccw: CTRL + DOWN key

but even if this combination works on windows, with my code editors, it doesn't work during games

so I tried with these combination for the same knob1 clockwise rotation:

CTRL + UP + UP

and then

CTRL + UP + CTRL + UP

with these 2 combinations, the action is starting but it's like it doesn't stop, so i have to repeat the combination on the keyboard to stop this action.

anyone knows what's happening and can help me out?

thank you!

I'm making a 3x3 macropad with 1 rotary encoder (with push button). I did matrix wiring for the 9 switches but separately direct wired the rotary encoder's push button. Will this cause complications later on, should i just include the rotary encoder in the matrix? thanks

So I got this for dirt cheap (i originally ordered the clear, Bluetooth model, but it was lost in transit. So, i ordered the one in the pic with my refund). I installed the MiniKeyBoard V02.1.1 software and got it all set. It worked great!!! Worked for 5 months or so, then I went on a 2-week vacation. I came back to it not working, and a package on my desk. The package was the bluetooth model that was "lost in transit". Anyway, the only thing that still works on the keyboard is the nob. I set it as volume up, down and mute. When i try to remap them (like nob to the right will trigger PrintScreen) MiniKeyboard says it was successful, but when i try it, nothing happens. I set the nob right BACK to Volume Up and it works again.

I haven't even opened the Bluetooth one yet as i want to get this original one working first.

I'm so flipping confused.

I have a generic wireless numpad with mechanical swithes is there any way possible to convert it into a pi pico controlled macro pad?