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Macropad build

Project: Custom void16 redux macropad with nice!nano clone, ZMK firmware, and custom PCB.

Details

  • Based on void16 redux
  • nice!nano clone microcontroller, ZMK firmware, small battery
  • PCB designed in KiCad, fabricated at JLCPCB
  • Keycaps: red for layer buttons (top row, 4 keys), black for the rest (12 keys) - printed from flat MX keycap model
  • 15 layers via button combinations: single buttons for layers 0-3, multiple simultaneous buttons for layers 4-14
  • Modifier: Right Ctrl+Shift+Super (switched from left ctrl to avoid shortcut conflicts, removed Alt to avoid triggering language switch)
  • Gaming layer (layer 12, buttons 0+2+3): WASD layout, ESC/TAB/CTRL on left column, ALT/Enter/Space on bottom row
  • Combo to clear Bluetooth pairings: long-press all 4 layer buttons

PCB pin mapping

  • Row 0: P0.02, Row 1: P1.15, Row 2: P0.10, Row 3: P1.11
  • Col 0: P1.13, Col 1: P0.09, Col 2: P0.24, Col 3: P1.06
  • Diode direction: col2row
  • Footprint issue: one pin didn’t exist on nice!nano (wrong KiCad footprint), hand-wired to P1.06
  • Silkscreen error: +/- labels for battery connector are reversed

Flashing

  • Flash bootloader onto fake nice!nano boards using adafruit-nrfutil via USB-C (troubleshooting guide)
  • Enter USB mass storage mode for firmware flashing: double-tap the reset pin quickly

Resources

Log

  • 2025-12-30: Project started. Printed void16 redux case and red keycaps. Hand-wired and soldered the build with nice!nano clone, ZMK, and small battery. It works!
  • 2025-12-30: Connection stability issue - macropad disconnects/reconnects every few minutes while charging with Bluetooth headphones also connected. Investigating.
  • 2025-12-30: Changed keymap from F13-F24 to regular keys with Ctrl+Shift+Super modifier. F-keys were triggering system actions (e.g. Alt+F20 mutes mic in GNOME). Added combo to clear Bluetooth pairings.
  • 2025-12-31: Switched from left control to right control for modifier combo to avoid conflicts with left-ctrl shortcuts.
  • 2025-12-31: Expanded from 4 layers to 15 layers using button combinations. Added gaming layer (layer 12) with WASD layout.
  • 2025-12-31: Printing new keycaps - red for layer buttons, black for the rest.
  • 2026-01-04: Designed PCB in KiCad and sent to JLCPCB for fabrication.
  • 2026-01-21: PCBs arrived. Found footprint mistake - had to hand-wire one pin to P1.06. Also found silkscreen +/- reversal on battery connector.
  • 2026-01-21: Flashed bootloader onto fake nice!nano boards. Updated ZMK overlay with correct GPIO pins for PCB version.
  • 2026-01-21: 3D printed case refinements.

Last updated on February 23, 2026. For any questions/feedback, email me at hi@stavros.io.