Hackpad

Overview // your task!

This is a limited-time introductory YSWS (you ship, we ship) where you design your own macropad, and we'll ship it to you for free! With this YSWS, you can get stuff like this:

This is something you definitely don't want to miss out, so make sure to join #hackpad in the slack!

Submission info & Details (click me)

You ship:

• A PCB Design and schematic
• Files for a case, either in STL or DXF format.
• Firmware for the keyboard. You are allowed to use QMK or other pre-existing firmware!

We'll send you:

• 3 PCBs! Keep one for yourself, or share some with your friends. Or you can keep them all, I won't judge.
• a Seeed XIAO RP2040 microcontroller. They're pretty nifty microcontrollers, so you can use them for something else too
• Switches! Choices TBD, but you'll have a great selection
• Other components you may need, such as LEDs, diodes, knobs, OLED screens, and more!
• Your case! You can either have it 3D printed, laser cut in acrylic, or both.
• A grab bag of DSA keycaps, and a custom Hack Club keycap too

You can get the macropads soldered if you don't have a soldering iron, or we can send you the parts directly if you're up for a soldering task. The only catch is that if you want it to be soldered, you must use through-hole components only!

Requirements:

• You design a macropad that integrates a Seeed XIAO RP2040 as the main MCU. Nothing else allowed, sorry!
• It has 20 or less switches
• It is meaningfully unique to you. This could be as simple as making a custom layout and adding some decor, or as elaborate as writing an entire firmware in Rust
• The PCB only uses 2 layers
• Don't make a macropad with 40 screens. Or out of pure gold. Please!!

Once that's done, you can go on and make a PR. The instructions will be in the template.

I have no clue how to make one!

Not to fret! There are a ton of resources, inspiration, and guides out there to help you with each bit!

PCB Design:

• ai03's PCB guide (note: you can skip the part about wiring up the MCU)
• How a matrix works (qmk)
• Feel free to make a PR to add stuff here

CAD:

Firmware:

• QMK Documentation
• KMK Documentation
• Feel free to make a PR to add stuff here

Misc great info:

• Rollover, blocking and ghosting
• Feel free to make a PR to add stuff here

Anything else?

This YSWS is only guaranteed to run through September 30th, so make sure to get yours submitted before then. Depending on skill level, this should take roughly 6-12 hours to finish.

List of questions from the slack that you may want answered too:

FAQ

Can I use SMD parts?

• You can! Only catch is that PCBAlex will not assemble them for you

How do I write the firmware without having hackpad available?

• Pre-existing firmwares like QMK and KMK are pretty reliable - we'll do a final check once we get your hackpad at HQ to make sure it actually works

What switches do I use?

• PCBs that can take MX-style or Choc switches are allowed. Please run anything else by me first @alexren in #hackpad. As for specific ones (i.e reds yellows etc), selection is TBD.

Can I use... (for any of these you must be able to provide firmware that actually works)

• IO expanders? YES!
• OLED displays? YES! Just make sure they're the small i2c ones
• Joysticks? YES!
• Rotary encoders? YES!
• a 70 inch TV? NO!!!!

How expensive can the components be?

• Please run by me what you want to get @alexren on the slack

When are we getting more guides???

• soonTM

How much will the package value be?

• This will depend on your configuration, but generally you should expect $10 for a barebones setup.