12/10/2025 - Started New

Have been thinking for a while that it would be really cool if I made my own keyboard. I wanted to use nice nano v2 at first but the price is wayyyy to high for using in a keyboard in my opinion. Still haven't decided what I want to use but thinking about either supermini or XIAO-nRF52840. The problem is that I am thinking of a sofle v2 style keyboard with 28 keys a rotary encoder and a mini .91" OLED display on each side.

So, I guess that's it for now. See ya at the next Journal.

This is kind of what I want but not really

12/14/2025 - First Version of The Schematics

This took a lot more time than I thought. Though, I guess it was expected since I didn't have the slightest bit of clue of what I was doing but a lot of random reddit posts and some online documentations sure helped the journey a lot.

I'm planning to use 29 hot swapable kailh choc keys and a rotary encoder on each side. This will give me a total of 58 keys, with that I should be able to configure all of the keys and functions of a standard 104 key keyboard within 3 layers and still have much keys left for programming macros and other things.

Still not sure how I'm going to use the rotary encoders. Might keep one as primary pressing which will toogle them between (brightness + something else) control and (horizontal + vertical scroll).

This has 20 SK6812 MINI E LEDs for RGB backlight which are controlled by a P-channel MOSFET to drive the LED power since the LDO regulator of the supermini isn't rated for the current these LEDs are going to draw. Also add a resistor to prevent the floating gate issue.

It also has a SSD1306 display and a physical switch to dicsonnect battery power to the controller.

Shared these to the #blueprint channel and got really helpful inputs and will work on it to improve a bit more.

12/27/2025 - Changed some schematics and placed the components

The first schematic had some problems and redundant stuff but I managed to fix them (I think) and updated the design. Cleaned stuff. The most time was spent on deciding on how I want to power the SK6812-MINI-E leds. These bad bois consume 1 mA when idle which makes 29 of them draw enough current to drain the poor little battery within hours. Moreover, I wasn't sure if the on board cheap regulator of the supermini nrf52840 would be able to handle the current draw from te leds since it can only handle max 200mA of current according to reddit.

I was stuck between high side switching with a n-chan and p-chan mosfet (but that would add to complexity) and just using the Vcc pin while capping the brightness at 10%. Decided to go with the later option and hope for the best. Dunno might still change it later.

Well I then placed the components and created the edge cuts, only what's left is to route 'em all.

Something tells me routing is going to be a nightmare.

12/29/2025 - Routed PCB and Updated BOM

Routed all the traces. Wanted to use the multichannel tool but wasn't able to do so since everything was becoming jumbled up, maybe because the two sides aren't exactly mirrored. Used ground pour on both sides. Used Vias to connect the ground planed and isolated islands. Populated the BOM csv with the component prices and stuff.

2/15/2026 - Added ZMK Firmware and other small fixes

Added and configured the ZMK Firmware to used in this keyboard, exported 3D model of the PCB, added the detailed BOM at the end of Github readme.

Don't plan to use a casing and keep it bare-bone cause I think that will make it look extra cool and hacky.

The ZMK firmware is untested and I have no idea if it will work but will make it work ig.

Also did some other cleanup stuff.