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peng-zhihui/helloword-keyboard

★ 6,617CAudience · vibe coderComplexity · 5/5DormantSetup · hard

TLDR

HelloWord is a fully open-source custom mechanical keyboard with a swappable left module that adds an e-ink display, a motorized force-feedback knob, and RGB lighting, all built from scratch with custom PCBs and STM32 firmware.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((HelloWord KB))
    Hardware
      10 custom PCBs
      STM32 microcontrollers
      Ribbon cable connections
    Left module
      E-ink display
      Motorized haptic knob
      Swappable design
    Firmware features
      USB HID protocol
      RGB animations
      Motor force feedback
    Open source
      PCB design files
      3D printable case
      Full firmware source
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Code map

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Build your own mechanical keyboard with a motorized haptic knob and e-ink display using the provided PCB files and 3D models.

USE CASE 2

Learn how USB HID keyboard firmware works by studying the STM32 C code for key scanning, debouncing, and RGB effects.

USE CASE 3

Design a custom left module such as a touchscreen or encoder using the modular dock connector and existing firmware framework.

USE CASE 4

Swap the e-ink display image using the included PC application without modifying any firmware.

Tech stack

CSTM32

Getting it running

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1day+

Requires ordering 10 custom PCBs, sourcing specific components, and compiling STM32 firmware, not a beginner electronics project.

License information was not mentioned in the explanation.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I want to understand how the HelloWord keyboard firmware handles key scanning with shift registers. Walk me through the C code that reads key states and converts them to HID keycodes.
Prompt 2
Help me add a new RGB animation effect to the HelloWord keyboard firmware, where in the STM32 C code do I define lighting patterns?
Prompt 3
I want to build just the left module with the motorized knob from HelloWord. What PCBs do I need to order and how does the force-feedback motor control work in the firmware?
Prompt 4
Explain how the HelloWord keyboard communicates between the main keyboard MCU and the left module MCU using the serial protocol.
Prompt 5
I want to design my own swap module for HelloWord. What connector interface does the dock use and what signals does the left module send to the main board?
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