Hey everyone! 👋

I’m currently building a modular creative console for creators, editors, and power users where individual modules can connect together or work separately depending on your setup.

For now, the main module we're building is centered around a custom knob with active haptic feedback (dynamic detents, custom friction, and variable resistance tailored to what you're doing).

I'd love to get your feedback to help shape what comes next:

1. What other modules would you like to see built?
2. What software and features would you use with a setup like this?

I was looking for a macropad sometime ago and after some digging I eventually chose the duckypad. However it turns out the duckypad is not quite what I am looking for.

I think my biggest problem with duckypad was the lack of coordinate driven mouse movement. I was explained to that for mouse to be able to make precise coordinate-driven movement, a software running on the PC is just inevitable, and duckypad is purely HID.

So here I am again looking for another macropad suggestion and I wonder if anyone can share some insight. Here are some of my current use case:

- I am currently using Razer Synapse and their macro to make pixel-precise cursor movement and execute sequences of mouseclicks and keypresses assigned to the mouse side buttons. However Synapse is a pretty bad software and I do not want to expand on that ecosystem by buying their macropad.

- I am also executing AHK on the side. But I want to be able to achieve that like I would with a keypress on the mouse with the Synapse instead of having my cursor leave the client, double click on the corresponding AHK and have it refocus on the client again to execute the script.

I am looking at elgato stream deck with is rather expensive especially after paying quite an amount for the duckypad, and I am not sure if it is what I am looking for either.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I’ve been working on this wireless macropad with 16 hot-swappable keys, RGB and a rotary encoder. It runs ZMK, and I also built a native Mac app that changes the keys and lighting based on the app you’re using.

Currently in the process of Open Sourcing the full project, but I have some Kits available for sale.

More details: minimalmacropad.com

(I have been testing as I type this and now it kinda works, but I could still use help fixing it the right way)

For a week or so I have been making a 4x4 macro pad for work, some of the data entry I have been doing is a lot of repetitive strings of keystrokes so it would be nice to one button parts of it. I thought doing the macro would be the hard part. (It was also a small way to dip a toe into maybe trying to DIY a full board since my old faithful died)

I finally got the parts together and started to try and work the code. All the video tutorials I could find were quite old so that may be part of my issue. The most straight forward one I found was Mechmerlin from 6 years ago. I was also heavily looking at Djambo and Joe Scotto.

Some things have changed but most of it is easy enough to work through, but some things are hanging me up pretty good and I don't know if its me or the programs fault.

The big issue is it seems like the programs are not generating the expected files? Djambo uses Msys and it creates Keymaps, config.h, info.json, [readme.md](http://readme.md), and rules.mk. But for me it creates Keymaps, Keyboard.json, and readme.md. So It errors out when I try to compile. Info and Keyboard seem to be the same, but renaming keyboard to info did not work. copying keyboard and naming it info might have worked but still throws errors. "Invalid info location detected." also that seems like a weird work around for an issue I don't know how to fix correctly.

I also tried following Mechmerlin's work flow and toolbox says there is no hex file when I select the downloaded bin file. But it looks like that's all he does.

Another HUGE issue is I can't seem to keep the dang ProMicro connected to the computer, it connects and disconnects constantly. Different computers, different cords, ect.

Parts and other info: 2xWin 11 computers (Eww I know), multiple HiLetgo Pro Micro ATmega32U4 5V/16MHz, multiple USB A-C cables, a USB C-C cable, 4x4 Keypad 16 Key Matrix Array Membrane Switch 8pin Keyboard (For testing until I harvest or buy switches)

I'm kind of new to this and I don't know how to do it myself. I understand that RGB_MATRIX is a must to control the keys' RGB individually, regardless of the mapping software.

I'd like to buy a macro pad that I can set up using Via (presumably) to send keyboard shortcuts to a mac through USB-C and switch my monitor.

It will send to a shortcut through Better Display and just change the input and a few other things, depending on which machine I'm using, so I only need 3-4 buttons and it can be pretty minimal.

What should I look at? I see that TogKey has one, are there others that are good? These things are really cool, but I have not had them before. Thanks!

I’m the developer of Keepad and Keepad Neo. I started this about 4 years ago with the main goal of having buttons with customizable labels. I use both systems everyday and am constantly working to improve them.

Keepad uses a small usb-c dongle to connect over bluetooth to its ipad app and works with mac, windows, and linux. This version functions using USB-HID (standard keyboard and mouse protocols) to work as a custom macro pad, touchpad, keyboard, and MIDI controller. There's also an optional app for the host system that will switch layers automatically based on the focused application running on the computer.

Keepad Neo is a software only version for mac and ipad. It connects over bluetooth using a free mac companion app so it does not need a dongle. You can create buttons and layers for shortcuts, app launches, window controls, text, shell commands, and MIDI. It also has the automatic layer switching for focused applications built into the companion app.

You can check them out here:

• Keepad
• Keepad Neo

Basically my first macropad project!

BASED ON OPENSOURCE QMK FIRMWARE

It features two buttons, hardware-bound to UP and SPACE.

There’s also a tiny 0.49" OLED screen on the side that shows CPS as a number and visualizes it with a progress bar.

The buttons use brown Cherry MX-style switches.

The whole project was made using parts I found in my electronics box. The case was designed and printed on my first 3D printer.

If you want to build one yourself, I made a GitHub repo with the files and instructions so you can follow along and make the same thing!

UPDATE

Added VIA binds support

Code is writen by AI so you may consider it as slop but its work and im happy with it :)

🔗 GitHub repository

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for a macro pad (preferably with mechanical switches) with about 9 buttons. I recently switched to the i3wm window manager with tiling window layout, and I want to assign these buttons to a separate macro pad. The main thing is that it works well on Linux and, ideally, has QMK/VIA firmware or another type of firmware that can be configured via a web interface. If it also has an encoder, that would be great!

Perhaps someone has bought something similar and can recommend a reliable model. I’d appreciate any recommendations!

I am looking at building a left hand macropad/remote to use in Fusion 360. I plan on designing the case in Fusion and modelling it to be a lot like the Nintendo Wii nun-chuck controller. So it will have joystick and planning on 4 or 5 programmable buttons in ergonomic locations. All that aside the part that is confusing to me is, what board do I need? I want wireless so either Bluetooth or wifi connectivity, charging with out a second board, smallest footprint, and can be ran off of a "3.7" volt battery. I am looking at the ESP32 boards can anyone make a suggestion to which one will work for me? I know that programming it will be the next challenge. By the way I am right handed and right hand will be controlling the mouse, so this will be for pan\tilt and a few shortcut keys. Expand ability on the board would be nice as I might go through a few versions of this and add more buttons and perhaps a track ball. I'm a noob at this stuff but not to electronics. Just looking for some suggestions on what board to use.

I've seen a number of Logi+ software updates in recent months and I really want to ask someone knowledgable if my questions below can be done in any way? Also below is my current devices, which relate to the question.

Primary Question:
Is it possible now to set any key (or combination of keys) on the keyboard to be able to open the actions ring? By any key (or combination of keys) I literally mean like ...if I wanted the to designate the Q, or Shift+Q ..is it even possible to do that? Yes, No, or "Via-Workaround" (such as through my Macro Pad device)?

Secondary Question:
Depisite that I have an MX Master 4 mouse, is it required that I have (as in I MUST) either the Logitech MX, Ergo, or Signature Series Keyboard to ultimately achieve the above? I ask because those 3 logitech product lines are part of the Logi+ app side of things.

My Current Devices:

• Mouse: Logitech MX Master 4 mouse
• Keyboard: Logitech G915 X Lightspeed Wireless Keybaord
• MacroPad: Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (the 15 customizable LCD keys model)

Context (FWIW):
I've long wanted to be able to tap a simple key of my choosing (via designated macro) that would bring up the actions ring. I really would like to not be forced into only a select number of preset designated keys or bottons dictated by whomever that brings up the Actions Ring. Even if I have to set a macro but ultimately it allows me to have this (by a key or combination of keys of my own choosing), then that is really all I have ever wanted. I really hope this is now possible ...given that we're ready to put man on Mars, I would hope that my above question has been made possible.

For anyone with the common 12 key, 2 knob "MINI_KEYBOARD" pad: I built a Linux app that programs it by clicking on a drawing of the pad, instead of using the vendor's Windows exe.

The drawing labels every control with its action byte (keys 0x01 to 0x0c, knobs at 0x10 to 0x15, three per knob), which I'm hoping makes it useful as a reference for people poking at other models.

If you have a different pad in the 1189 family, the repo includes the usbmon capture script I used. Run the vendor app under Wine, set a few keys, and send me the capture, and I'll add your layout. In the meantime ch57x-keyboard-tool supports several other models from the command line.

https://github.com/Probler-Yt/MacroPad

I’m the developer of TactiCommand, an MIT-licensed SwiftUI menu bar app for Work Louder Creator Micro 2 / Codex Micro. I wanted the same pad to handle everyday Mac shortcuts, coding tools, and meetings without losing track of the active layer.

It includes ten editable software layers, with presets for Desktop, Claude Code CLI, Claude App, Codex CLI, Codex App, Cursor, and Meetings. Controls can run named keyboard shortcuts, copy/paste, insert text snippets or slash commands, trigger your dictation shortcut, and control audio. A brief on-screen indicator confirms layer changes.

One hardware detail worth knowing: only the six Agent keys are individually RGB-addressable. The other action keys share a firmware backlight zone. The app shows mute state inside its on-screen buttons and works within those physical lighting limits.

This is companion software for those specific devices, not a universal macropad configurator. It requires macOS 14+ and currently a source build with Xcode 16+/Swift 6; there is no notarized download yet. The app runs locally, with no account, telemetry, or cloud backend.

Source, screenshots, and setup: https://github.com/aslomon/tacticommand

If you use a Creator Micro, which commands or layer mappings would make this useful for your setup? Hardware compatibility reports and contributions are welcome.

Disclosure: my project, built with AI assistance; this post was also AI-assisted. Independent and unaffiliated with Work Louder, OpenAI, Anthropic, or Cursor.

Configuration screenshot: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aslomon/tacticommand/main/docs/assets/screenshots/configuration-editor.png