Hackpad
This is my first hackpad project. I used the guide on blueprint and added my own twist to it. I like puzzles so I choose that for the base of mine!
Created by
Burst
Hackpad
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Burst
submitted Hackpad for ship review ago
m0.hid ⚡
requested changes for Hackpad ago
Nice work on this hackpad! Can you add some images of your completed build to your repo readme please so we can see what it ends up looking like?
Tier: 4
Burst
submitted Hackpad for ship review ago
Burst
added to the journal ago
software, troubleshooting, success!
I started now trying to get the software of the hackpad to actually work. First I insttalled the uf2 file to boot it up and upload my code. I then downlaloded the kmk library and put that also on the xiao. I tried many diffenret AI's fron anti gravity to chatpgt to help me, but none of the code I tried worked at all. After 30 minutes on no progress I went to slack to ask for help. here. There after 15 minutes of talking, I figured out that I used the wrong LED footprint and that the hackpad can work with out the LED's. There logan and gethin helped me find the correct GPio pins and the correct way the led's should be connected. I then installed Mu editor to help me figure out how to uplaod my python code. I then realized that software was more improtant so I didn't start on the LED's and went straight into python. Then my Xiao boot laoder got bricked and after 10-15 minutes of reaserching, I found a uf2 flash nuke file. After using it my xiao stopped being over write procted. Finnaly I used gethin's python code as inspiration and was able to, after a bit of thinking, make it work on some of the keys. I then changed some of the keys and figured out that for the keys to work you need the pin name not number. Finally I tested the macro pad and it finally worked. 
Burst
added to the journal ago
started soldering, struggled with the mini led, heat insert
So I started off by soldering the switches onto two boards so practice my soldering skills and to have a backup board if anything happens. I then soldered on the xiao onto one of them and started preparing my leds to solder. I tried soldering the leds many times but I couldn't get them to stay. I went through 10 of them before asking in the slack for help, here https://hackclub.enterprise.slack.com/archives/C083S537USC/p1771773796159269?thread_ts=1771773796.159269&cid=C083S537USC. I tried the method I saw in a video that some replied with. That method took a while because I lacked helping hand to keep everything in place. I then kept going and finally did both of them. I put in the heat inserts while soldering and went back inside. I tried inserting the screws but they didn't go in, so I had to take out the heat inserts and make way for the screws by hand. After a long battle, I got the screws in and then put on the heat insert by spinning the screws and holding the inserts by hand. I finally got all of them in and that was it.
CAN ⚡🚀
approved Hackpad ago
Burst
submitted Hackpad for ship review ago
Burst
started Hackpad ago
11/25/2025 - Leearning to Solder
I spent 30 minutes, as the support team said I should, to learn how to solder. I recieved my soldering iron and got with it a stand, rosin, and other stuff necessary. I watched Vid1 Vid 2 and Vid3 and learned a lot of cool stuff.
2/22/2026 2:43 PM - started soldering, struggled with the mini led, heat insert
So I started off by soldering the switches onto two boards so practice my soldering skills and to have a backup board if anything happens. I then soldered on the xiao onto one of them and started preparing my leds to solder. I tried soldering the leds many times but I couldn't get them to stay. I went through 10 of them before asking in the slack for help, here https://hackclub.enterprise.slack.com/archives/C083S537USC/p1771773796159269?thread_ts=1771773796.159269&cid=C083S537USC. I tried the method I saw in a video that some replied with. That method took a while because I lacked helping hand to keep everything in place. I then kept going and finally did both of them. I put in the heat inserts while soldering and went back inside. I tried inserting the screws but they didn't go in, so I had to take out the heat inserts and make way for the screws by hand. After a long battle, I got the screws in and then put on the heat insert by spinning the screws and holding the inserts by hand. I finally got all of them in and that was it.
2/22/2026 2:55 PM - software, troubleshooting, success!
I started now trying to get the software of the hackpad to actually work. First I insttalled the uf2 file to boot it up and upload my code. I then downlaloded the kmk library and put that also on the xiao. I tried many diffenret AI's fron anti gravity to chatpgt to help me, but none of the code I tried worked at all. After 30 minutes on no progress I went to slack to ask for help. here. There after 15 minutes of talking, I figured out that I used the wrong LED footprint and that the hackpad can work with out the LED's. There logan and gethin helped me find the correct GPio pins and the correct way the led's should be connected. I then installed Mu editor to help me figure out how to uplaod my python code. I then realized that software was more improtant so I didn't start on the LED's and went straight into python. Then my Xiao boot laoder got bricked and after 10-15 minutes of reaserching, I found a uf2 flash nuke file. After using it my xiao stopped being over write procted. Finnaly I used gethin's python code as inspiration and was able to, after a bit of thinking, make it work on some of the keys. I then changed some of the keys and figured out that for the keys to work you need the pin name not number. Finally I tested the macro pad and it finally worked.