Cool macro pad
i want to make a macropad that can open applications and do macros. It's a 3x3 Macropad using a matrix and 2 LEDs and rp2040
Created by
chris
Hackpad
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0 followers
alexren ⚡🚀
approved Cool macro pad ago
Tickets awarded: 150 tickets
Tier: 4
awesome job! i love the extra touches added
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
1mon ⚡
requested changes for Cool macro pad ago
really nice work on the hackpad! I love the capacitive touch and the macro ui! please upload a picture of your finished project to the readme and check out https://blueprint.hackclub.com/about/submission-guidelines to make sure you are good to go!!
Tier: 4
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
chris
added to the journal ago
updates
I have fixed the the software and added some new features, now there is many more sections, like saving/loading presets and macros are now better, with adjustable delays and a repeat function
I have also update the github, as it was quite outdated.
I think this will be my last journal as i dont have much to add
m0.hid ⚡
requested changes for Cool macro pad ago
Hey! Great work on this hackpad, but I dont see any .step or .stl files which should be in your CAD folder! Can you add those please before I can approve this
Also, what app are you using to configure your keyboard? You show it in your demo video but don't mention it at all in your readme :)
Tier: 4
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
chris
added to the journal ago
ADDED NEW FEATURES
I have added new features to the app, like built in flasher, so no need for external apps, and also added app launcher. I also recorded the video to submit build review.
i am very happy with the results as I can do everything in a single app :D
chris
added to the journal ago
HUGE PROGRESS
ok so i have been making an app for the macropad to change what keys do, AND IT FINALLY WORKS :D.
you can edit any key and its fully working
I made this so i dont have to actually reflash code if i want to change a single key, and it was made using flutter and claude ai in vscode. I think the result came out great, and changes will be made to make it look better.
It was more like 25h but since it was vibecoding, i deducted a few hours.
chris
added to the journal ago
Started coding
Ok so now when I click on the capacitive touch button, the left led changes colour and the layer changes from 0 → 1
And when I click any key the right led cycles colour. On layer 0, it types 1-9 and on layer 1 it types q w e r t y u i
I have also printed a new case as other one was quite bad.
chris
added to the journal ago
New leds, Again...
This weekend I have added 2 LEDs Once again, I have gone through about 3 different styles, but I have decided to use 2 individual LEDs. This may be a bit harder to code, but if I connected 2 of them
It would look bad and the case wouldn't close.
I have also changed the case with 2 holes at the front for the wire of the LEDs. Which is currently printing.
This took a long time as the LEDs kept breaking and I'm not good at soldering
I will put the case together and then start coding the final part
chris
added to the journal ago
Added leds
I have added 2 LEDs from a led strip as the ones I had on didn't work, this took me long time for some reason and I don't even know if they work,
It kinda looks bad and it was such a pain to add, I have also fixed the code a bit to add capacitive touch button
Shadow
requested changes for Cool macro pad ago
user req
Tier: 4
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
chris
added to the journal ago
fixed & finished
I used a mini test code to test if the buttons worked, every button except 2 worked, So resoldered and failed, still didnt work, but then it worked again. However the leds dont work as i think i used the wrong footprint. I have also finished the code and it works great!
It was a pain to fix :C
chris
added to the journal ago
Resoldered switches
I kinda forgot to put the plate before soldering the switches, so I had to desolder the switches and the Solder then again. And now I know I am absolutely horrible at desoldering :'C I also had to snap off the end of the PCB as it did not fit.
Spent my whole afternoon desoldering 😭
chris
added to the journal ago
soldered
I have soldered all the components, and the rp2040 turns on. I am now making the firmware, not my best soldering ive done, but its alright, hopefully it works
CAN ⚡🚀
approved Cool macro pad ago
Nice hackpad
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
m0.hid ⚡
requested changes for Cool macro pad ago
Hi! This looks awesome so far, but can you add a fully assembled CAD file to your repo please? Right now "FULL.3mf" is only the case, and doesnt include the pcb or any components.
chris
submitted Cool macro pad for ship review ago
chris
started Cool macro pad ago
2/6/2026 - soldered
I have soldered all the components, and the rp2040 turns on. I am now making the firmware, not my best soldering ive done, but its alright, hopefully it works
2/7/2026 - Resoldered switches
I kinda forgot to put the plate before soldering the switches, so I had to desolder the switches and the Solder then again. And now I know I am absolutely horrible at desoldering :'C I also had to snap off the end of the PCB as it did not fit.
Spent my whole afternoon desoldering 😭
2/8/2026 - fixed & finished
I used a mini test code to test if the buttons worked, every button except 2 worked, So resoldered and failed, still didnt work, but then it worked again. However the leds dont work as i think i used the wrong footprint. I have also finished the code and it works great!
It was a pain to fix :C
2/12/2026 - Added leds
I have added 2 LEDs from a led strip as the ones I had on didn't work, this took me long time for some reason and I don't even know if they work,
It kinda looks bad and it was such a pain to add, I have also fixed the code a bit to add capacitive touch button
2/15/2026 - New leds, Again...
This weekend I have added 2 LEDs Once again, I have gone through about 3 different styles, but I have decided to use 2 individual LEDs. This may be a bit harder to code, but if I connected 2 of them
It would look bad and the case wouldn't close.
I have also changed the case with 2 holes at the front for the wire of the LEDs. Which is currently printing.
This took a long time as the LEDs kept breaking and I'm not good at soldering
I will put the case together and then start coding the final part
2/16/2026 - Started coding
Ok so now when I click on the capacitive touch button, the left led changes colour and the layer changes from 0 → 1
And when I click any key the right led cycles colour. On layer 0, it types 1-9 and on layer 1 it types q w e r t y u i
I have also printed a new case as other one was quite bad.
2/19/2026 - HUGE PROGRESS
ok so i have been making an app for the macropad to change what keys do, AND IT FINALLY WORKS :D.
you can edit any key and its fully working
I made this so i dont have to actually reflash code if i want to change a single key, and it was made using flutter and claude ai in vscode. I think the result came out great, and changes will be made to make it look better.
It was more like 25h but since it was vibecoding, i deducted a few hours.
2/20/2026 - ADDED NEW FEATURES
I have added new features to the app, like built in flasher, so no need for external apps, and also added app launcher. I also recorded the video to submit build review.
i am very happy with the results as I can do everything in a single app :D
2/23/2026 - updates
I have fixed the the software and added some new features, now there is many more sections, like saving/loading presets and macros are now better, with adjustable delays and a repeat function
I have also update the github, as it was quite outdated.
I think this will be my last journal as i dont have much to add