11/19/2025 - Installed all re

Following the guide, I installed the custom mod battery for the ki-cad footprint.
Second I installed marbaslib library for the switches. Lastly I installed the last library required for the mouse bites.

11/20/2025 - Finished Schematic (mostly)

I added all the switches in the schematic. I have five rows and five columns with all of them labeled and routed to the Xiao. I added the battery test connector from the guide and will move on to adding the footprints.

11/21/2025 8 PM - Cleaned up schematics and finished foorprints.

I cleaned up the schematic and added borders to organize it. Added the mounting holes and the battery sense to tell the computer the keyboards battery. Lastly I assigned the footprint, which took alot of time because I didn't know what I'm doing.

11/21/2025 9 PM - Started PCB

I fixed all the errors in schematic to start making my pcb. I added all the components and started to arrange them so I can get closer to finishing this project.

11/22/2025 - Sad PDB

I added the diodes and tried spacing out the pcb better making it more organized. However I made a dumb mistake and accidentally reverted most of the chanes. So now I have to redo most of it.

11/27/2025 - Finished PCB+outline and organized it

I continued to work on this project after a couple days. I put all the pcb components in the right spots. I got my lost board from backups and continued to work on that. I most importantly routed most the parts and ran drc to make sure everything works. I ran into a lot of problems with the silkscreen and board outline, which pushed me back. However, using the support channel i was able to go forward. I still need a route a couple parts that are across the keyboard and will hopefully find a fix for them

11/28/2025 12 PM - Polished PCB and started case

Fixed a few last erros in the pcb. One was a wrong GNG connection. The other was an outline/ecxport error which i got fixed. Started modeling up the case in cad and will start importing switches soon.

11/28/2025 2 PM - Got the keyswitchs 3d model!

This was one of the hardest parts of the project. First I had to find the models of both the switch and keycap online, second I had to combine them in fusion. I then had to figure out how to add them in kicad. Then went into the footprint editor and adjusted the 3d models to fit. After a bit confusion I learned that i had to update the footprint for it to show up.

Here's the timer (inspired from another project)

11/28/2025 8 PM - Finished Case, started BOM and firmware

I started the BOM and started looking parts. Then I had a hard time with fusion because the switches make it crash alot. I finally had to make the case instead of the actually keycaps. I had AI help me start the firmware. <!-- Uploading Screenshot 2025-11-28 202512.png #ms-1764379731894-jdf6hg -->

Finally the stopwatch:

11/29/2025 - Finished BOM

I found all the parts I needed, It was really a pain because of the aliexpress fake pricing. But In the end i got it done.I will start firmwaare laterScreenshot 2025-11-29 131643

here is the stop watch:

11/30/2025 - Polished and finished up

I updated the BOM with missing parts. Secondly I added a silkscreen to make the pcb look nicer. I got AI to help me with the firmware which took a good chunk of time. I tried sourcing some parts for digikey but the shipping made it useless. Added all files to the github repo so I can submit!

Here is the timer:

12/16/2025 8 PM - Finished Top Case

Finished the top case for the keyboard and made alignment holes in the top and bottom. The Right and left are different so It takes two version. I traced the outline and gave space for keys. I had to make two-three itterations.

12/16/2025 9 PM - Finished Everything Reviewer Asked For and Cart

I finished everything the reviewer asked from me. I added all the files in their corresponding CAD/PCB folders. I added all the missing component to ali-express and updated the cart. This project if Finished!!!!

12/17/2025 11 AM - Added The Correct .Step File

I changed the fd3 file in the CAD Folder in Github to a .step file. This was requested by the reviewer as all files have to be .step. This was done using the online fusion service.

12/17/2025 4 PM - Added video

Screen Recording 2025-12-17 at 4.25.08 PM

I added this video to the repo, as the reviewer requested
.

12/18/2025 - Clarification

Hello, I have looked everything on aliexpress for cheaper parts. I have gotten items from amazon and aliexpress to mimize costs. If you know a webste that has an item for cheaper please link it below.

12/24/2025 - Note to Reviewer!

I don't want a grant I only want tickets! Thanks.

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12/27/2025 3 PM - Note for reviewers

Hello, I have lowered the price lots of times and spend a couple hours looking for the best price. I ask you to let me know what I can lower and provide me with options or just general help. Please don't just state what the reviewer before stated

12/27/2025 5 PM - Talked with Reviewer

I messaged my reviewer and we couldn't find cheaper switches
as it was a mistake on his part. I will resubmit this as we both confirmed having the cheapest parts possible!

1/2/2026 - Spent time updating the BOM and finding new items

I found new items on aliexpress since the prices changed alot since the last time. I added new pins, since the others were out of stock. I also added batteries to the cart to the keyboard can be powwered on.

3/9/2026 5:27 PM - Setting up, getting ready

After all my parts arrived I separated them, took them out of the container and organized them. I broke off the PCBs and took the xiao out of the container and put the tiny resistors in there. I then found which resistors go to r1 and r2 and then I reaserched the polarity of the diodes

3/9/2026 5:44 PM - Soldering the resistors, prepping diodes

I started soldering by first dabbing the resistor spots with solder because they are so tiny. I then took tweezers and held the resistor in place while soldering it. I did this for all four of them, which took a couple tries since they kept flying away. I then went ahead and dabbed all the diode spots (all 22) with solder on both pads. Once I got in my flow state I went faster.

3/9/2026 6:11 PM - Diodes

I started by putting on all the diodes for the left side of the keyboard, this was hard because I had to orient them using the tweezers and then solder. My stradegy was to do one side of all the diodes and then go back and solder the other side. I found this to be way faster. I then moved on to the right side, dabbed all the pads with solder, then I used the same stradegy and soldered all the dioes

3/9/2026 6:14 PM - Soldering switches

I started by pressing all 42 switches into place. I then flipped the PCB and started soldering all of them. In the beginning I had a problem where the iron wasn't melting anything. I found out that the problem was that the iron was oxidized and not letting the heat transfer. I cleaned it with the small yellow sponge and re tinned. I then kept soldering the switches, which was really way compared to everyone else. They turned out great!

3/9/2026 6:56 PM - Xiao soldering

I started by trying to add solder to the pads on the PCB and then put the xiao on top and solder them. This didn't work out well so I switched to putting the solder on the xiao and the PCB and then soldering the together. I had to be carefully because there a trace there close by. I then got solder shaped like a hook and tried to bridge in between and it worked. I repeated that till everything was soldered!

3/9/2026 7 PM - Code and trouble shoot

I started working on the code to get the keyboard to work. I used the matrix mapping from the schematic and with help from AI I got some keys to work, I'm trying to trouble shoot why some don't work