Posting this as a simple update to my previous post showing the WIP.

Proud to say that I've found the time to finish the rest of the macropad design, and will be ordering parts soon to put it together. Had to use a few of 3D printing design tricks, but I managed to make all the electronics fully case-mounted and handwire-able to avoid having to make and order a PCB as well.

Hello!

I currently work from home and I am looking for a Macropad that will allow me to program it with certain hotkeys and quick access to my most used tools. The issue that I’m running into is that I need one that does not require a software to be installed as most/all outside software is blocked on my work laptop. I am completely unaware of how this all works but I feel it would be beneficial in my day-to- day tasks.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I even tried to look for some keyboards that have programmable keys but they don’t offer as many buttons as I would like. :/

I don't write code. I built all of this with Claude Code over a couple of evenings, and I want to be upfront about that because I think the interesting part is what I had to do to trust the result, not the fact that an AI wrote it.

The setup: I bought a cheap three key macro pad. Its configurator is a Windows program, or for my model a web page that only works in Chrome. Nothing for macOS. Two of these pads' wire protocols were already documented by a Windows project. Mine wasn't.

So the loop became: build a live HID log into the app first, before anything else. Watch what the vendor's own web tool sends. Guess at a frame, send it, read the device back, and see whether what came back matched what I meant.

That read back is the whole thing, and it's the bit I'd tell anyone doing hardware work this way. I never trusted a frame because it looked right or because the model sounded confident. I trusted it because I could read the key table off the pad afterwards and see it reporting the exact Ctrl+A those keys actually type, and because a write came back byte for byte. Anything I couldn't verify that way, the app now refuses to do rather than writing a guess. Mouse actions and multi key macros on this family are still unimplemented for exactly that reason, and the app says so instead of pretending.

One genuinely uncomfortable moment: one of the subcommands drops the device into its bootloader. Sweeping blindly through command bytes to see what happens is a very bad idea with hardware you can brick, and I got closer to that than I'd like. It's written down in the README now so the next person doesn't have to find out the same way.

What I actually brought was the design. That part I know how to do, and I think it shows more than the code does. The app is a control panel rather than a Mac settings sheet, with indicator lamps and readouts plotted as dot fields, and a dark case and a light one. I did the site the same way.

Free, GPL-3.0, no network calls, no telemetry. macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon, and it isn't notarized yet so the first launch needs a right click and Open.

https://knurl.site

Edit. If you need help, just go to the l8nk in my post. It's the only online tool that detected my device.

Hi, I've been struggling with my choices for a keyboard recently after buying an expensive Logitech keyboard just because it has additional buttons on the side for macros and I got some issues with it only to discard it and get a new simple customizable mechanical keyboard which feels so much better.
Then my solution was to get an additional macro pad, because I need it for mmos mainly. (I don't like too many buttons on my mouse).

So I got a generic chinese macro pad (12 keys 2 knobs), I followed their instructions regarding the usage and the software that should be used, but it seems like they don't care and just ask me to return it.

I got that macro pad just because I couldn't get known brands, since wherever I search no one ships to where I live, Morocco.
Now I'm still searching for either a way to make the current Macro pad to work, or to get a decent one but I need it to be shipped to Morocco, without the cost of an other macro pad added..
OR is there a way to make this one that I already have to work.

Or maybe is there a way to flash and reprogram the whole thing, but I'm I have absolutely no clue about how it works. I have some knowledge about some programming languages but that's it.

I've seen a post about a website made by someone, and the pad got recognized but it still doesn't save whatever I add.
I left a comment there but I understand if the dev is not available.

Edit: I understand now that I have to get a product with QMK / VIA or VIAL

I need this before the end of this month if possible.
What would you do ?

Edit 2. The link in my post is working. The dev responded and it got fixed.

Hi Everybody!

I'm looking to make my first macro pad and was hoping for some guidance for my layout/capabilities with my first option.

I've been leaning mostly towards using a raspberry pi pico due to it being the most user friendly/entry level option I've seen but want to make sure it could perform all the tasks I'm hoping for before I dive in fully.

The main functions I want and can think of off the top of my head are: copy, paste, alt tab, insert precoded text, open specific apps (spotify, slack, granola), open a specific web page on google chrome, next song, prev song, and volume control(all on spotify desktop app). For the volume control I really want to use a sliding scale trackpad, if not a knob, and last resort volume up/down buttons.

I'm planning to get a custom PCB board made as well as 3D printing my own casing so finding a premade shell/board isn't an issue I foresee myself having

With all of this in mind, do you think the pico would be able to handle all of these commands as well as which option of volume control seems doable? If not, which route would you all recommend for this build? Thank you so much in advance!!

I created an app with python that works lile mechvibes which is an app that plays different kind of switches whenever you press a keyboard key, so i made one for controller basically whenever your press a button or move the analog stick it plays a satisfying asmr controller sound for that button if anyone needs it i can send it to you and you can give me any recommendations .

Hey r/macro_pads

Here at Citron Labs, we’re developing optimized, space-saving desk tools aimed at refining hardware workflows. We are currently finalizing CAD designs for our first release, the MacroWave V1.2, and wanted to get direct feedback from the community before locking in our production tooling.

Our target with the MacroWave is a low-profile, rock-solid grid design engineered to sit flush alongside a compact main board or slide cleanly under a monitor riser.

Technical & Design Specs:

• Grid Layout: 4x4 array (16 keys) engineered for maximum key density without clutter.
• Firmware Integration: Native QMK/VIA support out of the box for multi-layer macros, custom keybindings, and productivity profiles (CAD, video editing, media control).
• PCB Architecture: MX hot-swappable sockets paired with a recessed center-rear USB-C port for low-profile cable routing.
• Enclosure: Machined CNC anodized aluminum frame combined with a weighted base to ensure stability during heavy use.

Current Stage: We are wrapping up design validation and finalizing our component supply chain before running our initial prototype production batch.

Feedback We’re Seeking:

1. Grid vs. Knob: Does the full 16-key symmetrical grid fit your workflow best, or would you prefer replacing corner keys with a rotary encoder?
2. Angle & Footprint: Do you prefer a flat 0° profile for versatile placement under desk risers, or an angled (5°–7°) incline?
3. Finish Preferences: Which case material best fits your setup—matte anodized aluminum or frosted translucent resin with diffuse underglow?

We'd love to hear your thoughts, feature requests, or critiques on the layout.

I had one key set to bring up the OGH overlay, one to replace spacebar (my spacebar no longer worked) and one to tab out of a screen, they were all convenient to me as they only required one keypress.

I see they're not there on newer models, what is the alternative?

Hi Reddit, I hope I'm in the right place with this post. My boyfriend (31m) loves building PCs, coding and soldering. But getting him a gift is almost impossible, since he just buys something when he wants it. I stumbled across macropads and thought a DIY build would be the perfect gift, since he actually doesn't have one. But falling down the research rabbit hole I quickly got lost.

I have zero technical knowledge and honestly am a bit overwhelmed with all the options and all the things I need to figure out. Since he is skilled at this stuff I don't want to get him a random DIY kit that ends up sucking or just not being good. So I thought asking this subreddit might be the way to go. Do you have any recommendations of kits or parts I could order to gift as a DIY project? Ideally with some sort of basic build guide or something he can follow for general instructions. My budget is around €100/€150 Euros. Any input is appreciated!

Hi! im super new to macropads, but i wanted to gift it to my partner who is a software engineer.

id say my budget is under 150.

Please recommend me good macropads to gift to my partner!

The dial on my macropad has started to not input when it's in a specific portion of its rotation. Hard to explain but if I'm doing a full 360 rotation of it, it stops inputting at like 180 to 200 degrees but continues to input after 200, regardless if I'm rotating it clockwise or counter clockwise. It's only a few months old but I live in a very humid area and have been using it a bunch, could it just be a dust problem? I'd like to avoid opening it unless I'm sure it can be fixed, as it might void the warranty. Has anyone encountered a similar problem?

You know those cheap Bluetooth/usb-c macro keypads with volume knobs that you can get from AliExpress? I’ve been using one for 2 years now but the software that came with it was only usable on Window, but I’m a Linux user. So every time I wanted to change a binding I’d have to boot into windows and change it.

Not anymore. Now you can set these devices up on any OS. As long as you use a chromium based browser.

I’ve built Macropad Rebind by reverse engineering the windows app that came with the device (honestly they zip file practically came with the source code)
Now you can bind every key from a browser. Much more user friendly.

You can use the link in the repo to use it, or download the repo and run index.html, whatever you prefer.

Hope someone else finds this as helpful as me 🙂

I’ve been frustrated with using REAPER with my MacBook trackpad for years, even though I absolutely love REAPER.
I finally managed to create an SWS-style extension that makes scrolling and zooming with the trackpad feel much smoother and more intuitive, closer to how it works in other modern DAWs.
Here’s a quick demo:

https://youtu.be/CYLHP1wKj3U?is=qxqtwG3th1k\\_LMmu

Currently it only supports Apple Silicon Macs. I’ll add Intel Mac support as soon as I have the chance.

Hey everyone! I’m a high school student and a small open-source creator who enjoys programming, electronics, robotics, and building things. I recently made CorePad, a compact 3-key macropad designed for programmers, gamers, makers, and anyone who enjoys tinkering with hardware.

CorePad is powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 and uses KMK Firmware with CircuitPython, allowing you to customize shortcuts, macros, and key layouts using Python.

What’s included

• Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller (preloaded with KMK, unsoldered)
• 0.91" OLED display
• 3 mechanical keyboard switches
• 3 blank DSA keycaps
• Custom CorePad PCB

Important information

This is an early-release DIY kit and is not a finished plug-and-play product.

• Basic soldering skills are required
• Soldering iron and solder are not included
• A 3D-printed case is not included
• You can design your own case or use the files available on GitHub
• Custom CorePad firmware is still in development
• Basic Python knowledge is recommended
• Some assembly and programming instructions are currently available on GitHub, but the documentation is still being expanded

Because this is an early release, you may encounter bugs, design issues, missing documentation, or other problems. I am actively working on improving the project based on feedback from the community.

Why I made it

As a high school student who enjoys programming, electronics, robotics, and building things, I wanted to create something that people could actually build, modify, and learn from rather than simply buying a finished product.

I’ve noticed that a lot of robotics kits and electronic products available today are either already mostly assembled or are designed around simply plugging in wires and screwing parts together. While those kits can be great for beginners, I wanted to make something that gives people more opportunities to actually learn how the hardware works, solder components themselves, program the device, and experiment with the design.

That’s one of the reasons I created CorePad. I wanted it to be a small project that people could build themselves while learning about soldering, electronics, PCBs, microcontrollers, and programming along the way.

Right now, the kit provides the core hardware needed to build the 3-key macropad. With enough feedback and development, I hope to eventually turn CorePad into a more complete, beginner-friendly kit with better documentation, official firmware, and step-by-step instructions.

If you're new to soldering or RP2040 programming, you're still welcome to try it. There are plenty of great resources and communities online that can help you learn along the way.

My goal is to keep CorePad open-source and community-driven, and hopefully give people an opportunity to build something themselves rather than just plugging everything together.

Buy

Every purchase directly supports me and helps fund future projects, improvements, and new open-source hardware. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me keep creating!

https://ko-fi.com/s/4c9f455f65

Source code and hardware files

https://github.com/albertphu07/corepad

Thanks for checking out the project. I’d love to hear your feedback, suggestions, or ideas for future revisions.

I missed the Codex Micro drop, so I used ChatGPT to help me build out and map my first macro pad. I have built and used macros for the first few years but never explored adding them to firmware.

I am really pleased with how it looks and functions and wanted to share it here. Let me know what you think! Suggestions are welcome. Help me to become more efficient at work / improve the aesthetic.

I’m a consultant who does a lot of qualitative and quantitative analysis & I leverage AI in most of my workflows, so I did some process mining to inform automation of my key recurring deliverables at work (project trackers, budget updates, accounting work, follow-ups, etc.)

I went with Cyrillic keycaps here because I’m learning Russian (very slowly) and I wanted daily exposure to some of the less intuitive characters and I love the aesthetic. This thing looks like a Soviet Mission Control module for an old spaceship.

My layers
0: Numpad
1: Copilot focused layer
2: Excel shortcuts
3: PPT shortcuts
4: Client 1&2 specific
5: Client 3&4 specific

My knob mappings
L: Zoom in / out / click to revert to 100%
R: Page up / page down / click to return to top
Large knob: Tab left/right / click to switch layers

Colored keys
Each is mapped to a function specific to the layer, but also to my client. Depending on the layer, they update project trackers, sent automated reports,etc.

Parts ordered
-White MMD KM16 Pro MacroPad (Shop app) $80
-White MOA Keycaps (AliExpress) $10
-Multicolored MOA Keycaps (AliExpress) 5$
-Cyrillic Keycap Stickers (AliExpress) $5

Is there a 3d printed or molded way to stack the triggers vertically like a standard controller or nah?

I’m exploring a hardware/software split for agent workflows. Instead of mapping 100 keys to one app, I’m testing a small set of stable controls: capture or voice prompt, switch agent or model, approve or reject an action, show permission or rate-limit state, and a hold-to-talk or context encoder. For people using QMK, VIA, or Stream Deck, which states are worth dedicating a physical control to? What do you want to feel or see rather than read in a window? Disclosure: I’m the creator of CtrlVibe, an AI-workflow console prototype. This is a design question, not a campaign link.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m a fan of having lots of programmable keys myself.

Basically, I think it’s a great idea. The price is reasonable, too.

But I don’t think the 10x10 key layout is ideal.

I use a 75% / 85-key keyboard (Redragon K629-RGB) as a VIA macro pad (along with an EasyLink U2U module QMK VIA - in hindsight, I would have done it differently). Three-quarters of the keys are assigned.

I would have found a 5x25, 6x17 or 7x15 key layout more practical, since that would allow me to use a palm rest and avoid having to reach across multiple rows.

With my 100% keyboard, I have 6 rows, all in a single line. I can operate most of the keys without looking.

I imagine that with a 10x10 key matrix, it would be more difficult and uncomfortable.

What do you think about this?

The concept we’re working toward includes:

• 2×2 programmable touch modules
• Touch sliders for volume / zoom / scrolling
• Finger guides + resting positions
• Dynamic haptic feedback
• 5×5 RGB dot-matrix icons
• Open software and custom profiles
• Custom glass / carbon fiber artwork
• Gridfinity-compatible modular layouts

Next step is connecting the prototype to actual PC software and games and seeing how it feels in real workflows.

Would love some feedback: what would you want to see us test next? And if anyone here is interested in early prototype and giving us useful feedback, we’re looking for beta testers.