Macro keyboards are mini programmable USB keyboards that can be pressed to trigger shortcuts, a sequence of keypresses etc. They can have several layers so switching to a different one will trigger different keypresses from the same key, so e.g. different IDEs can be represented.

I’ve just bought one with a view to setting up shortcuts for debugging. Each IDE has its own unique keys for navigating through the code, so I figure it’ll be nice to just press one key to start debugging and one key to step into instead of a combination of ctrl+whatever etc

Do you use one? If so, what do you use it for and what size do you use? Is it too big / too small?

  • Kissaki@programming.devEnglish
    7·
    2 days ago

    A rare case of a topic text opening with providing context on what it is talking about. Thank you! I love it.

    I don’t use one. I don’t feel like I have conflicting keybindings, or a need for additional keys. When I do, I customize my bindings through settings.

  • Deebster@programming.devEnglish
    8·
    3 days ago

    I just had mine arrive yesterday!

    I have one of these
    macro keyboard with 12 keys and three knobs

    I’m using ch57x-keyboard-tool to configure it, because I don’t fancy running some random closed-source Chinese code (the manual links to a file on Google Drive). It also means I can move over my config when I switch to Linux.

    I have two keys for switching between headphones and speakers, and some set up for shortcuts I forget (like ctrl-shift-e for the network monitor in Firefox). One key types “hello” just because I can.

    I’ve got the large knob controlling volume, and I can click it to toggle mute. The other two are currently set to scroll, but I don’t need that as my mouse has better ergonomics for scrolling.

    I still have plenty of unused keys and it’s got three layers so I won’t be running out in the foreseeable future.

  • tankplanker@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 days ago

    I have a large selection, but I rarely use them for anything other than media keys and teams call functions. Other stuff like windows management in sway are all done on higher layers on my (40%) keyboard.

    My preference is for something with at least one knob as knobs are my preference for things like scrolling, volume control, and zoom.

    If you can find latching switches, these are great for triggering layers so you can get more out of your pad. You can obviously do latching layer changes without such switches in QMK, but you really need to trigger leds to help you remember which layer you on otherwise.

    Pad I use the most is a CapsUnlocked CU7 that I got just before they imploded as I love the weight of the knob.

  • Martineski@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    I’m not a programmer but I want to share my experiences anyway. >:3

    I have DOIO KB16 because I really needed something to allow me for scrolling and usage of shortcuts while using the drawing tablet. It has 4 layers and onboard memory so I can take it to a new pc and have all the same functionality. I disconnected my mouse and put it on a shelf due to wrist pain in favor of a game controller or drawing tablet + macropad combo for interacting with my pc. I ended up mostly using the macropad as a mouse/keyboard with shortcuts for manipulating webpages and so on. My favourite part about it is that it has 3 whooping knobs which I really wanted to have as many of as I could. By looking at the sellers discord support channel I was really lucky to actually have the macropad delivered at all because it’s some chinese seller with lacking support. Here’s the pic of it:

    Edit: The post asked about how I feel about the size. My opinion is that I wish it had 1 (ideally 2) more vertical sets of keys because that would allow me to use my thumb for button pressing too. But overall I’m happy and I think it’s my only real problem with it.

  • MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    I just have a 36 key split keyboard with layers and combo keys, don’t need a separate macro pad when my main keyboard just is one

      • BingBong@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        3 days ago

        Not sure if your interest is specifically the programmable split keyboard or rather programmable in general but my Launch Heavy has this programmable layers feature. Its not split though.

        • MorphiusFaydal@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          3 days ago

          I’ve got a couple keyboards with VIA/QMK and layers, I’m specifically interested in the 36 key split keyboard they mention.

              • MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                2·
                18 hours ago

                There should be a parts list on that GitHub. You’d need two microcontrollers, two batteries, all of the switches and keycaps you want a bunch of resisters and hot swap sockets if you want hotswappable switches.

                The keyboard is a modification of the corne so if you can’t find a tutorial on this one specifically I’d you want to watch a video, a corne one would suffice.

                • MorphiusFaydal@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  11 hours ago

                  Well, I can’t see a parts list in that repo, but I did find others. If the offer’s still open, I’ll definitely take a couple PCBs. Where did you buy the rest of the parts from?

        • hddsx@lemmy.ca
          2·
          2 days ago

          I apparently type y and b with the wrong hands.

          Also, I seem to require keys on the fly that most mini keyboards don’t account for:

          ‘~Esc$&:;()[]{}<>=+*

          The way layers on my keyboard and smaller ones I’ve tried is awkward. I don’t want a permanent layer just to type a few keys. I need something like thumb keys that change layers when you hold them down (non ortho staggered that I have doesn’t have thumb keys )

          • MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            2·
            2 days ago

            I code with mine on a daily basis with work. Best change i ever made for ergonomics and reducing RSI.

            Thumb clusters so come in clutch like. Whenever I see a birthday Hertford I just think about the massive waste of space the space bar is on them.

            For escape and whatnot I use combos so pressing the two leftmost keys on the top row at the same time press escape. The ones below that, tab, and below that ctrl etc. and i make modifiers like control and shift one shots if I don’t hold them down to help reduce RSI even further and so it’s easy to hit keys that they may be “covering up” as a combo.

          • tankplanker@lemmy.world
            2·
            2 days ago

            Do you mean keys thst you hold down with your thumb while your fingers are on the home row or something else? For the former, I use split space keyboards and map the left one to enter on press, layer on hold, the right one to space on press, and a different layer on hold. That gives me more keys that you would get on a 70+ keyboard. I find this considerably easier than trying to use pinkies on shift and symbols on what is my top row, qwerty row.

            Typically, I map tab and the traditional enter key to tab on press, another layer, and backspace with the same layer as tab. This layer I use for window management in sway for home row and anything else I am missing that I really want.

                • hddsx@lemmy.ca
                  1·
                  2 days ago

                  Alright I’ll have to give this a try. If it works (I’m already thinking about it) I’m going to make a custom keyboard.

                  What I’m worried about is I want to go full Bluetooth, but I need the layer tap key to affect both sides

            • hddsx@lemmy.ca
              2·
              2 days ago

              Tick mark for executing command in bash Home directory End of line And Switch Case End of statement For clarity Arrays Blocks Math Math Assignment Math Pointers

  • hactar42@lemmy.world
    1·
    3 days ago

    I have 6 programmable keys on my keyboard. I have macros for a few snippets that I have to type a lot and my email because my company has a stupid long name that I’m sick of typing out.

  • gazter@aussie.zone
    1·
    3 days ago

    I use an old Stream Deck- not the Steam deck- from Elgato. It’s essentially a small touchscreen with a transparent button pad laid over the top, making for a fully programmable macropad with fully customisable screen-per-key.

    Not only can I have esoteric shortcuts, but I can also dynamically label them, depending on layer. I have a ‘home’ layer with icons representing each other layer. So, for example I can load up a video game, and press the corresponding icon on my macropad. It will then change the icons to match whatever command it does- various whistle commands in Ark, for example. I can then change programs into my CAD, and have the icons now be various shortcuts for modelling tools.