nek-type-a VS qmk_firmware

I’ve use a mouse to the right and a Magic Trackpad to the left for years. They, along with an ergonomic keyboard[1] help with wrist pain a lot.

[1] https://github.com/ecopoesis/nek-type-a

You can also build a PCB (or two) pretty easily. That’s what I did when I built my keyboard. You can find the source here: https://github.com/ecopoesis/nek-type-a

There's the Cloud Nine C989 [1] (though I don't know how the mechanism to keep the two halves attached works), or for a DIY option there's the NEK Type A [2].

For the profile of the keys themselves, you can make small changes to an existing keyboard by changing the keycaps -- although it's not always easy to find all the sizes required for an unusual keyboard. See [3]. I have SA keycaps on an otherwise-flat keyboard.

[1] https://c9ergo.com/products/cloud-nine-c989m-ergonomic-keybo...

[2] https://github.com/ecopoesis/nek-type-a

[3] http://xahlee.info/kbd/keycap_profiles.html

I only use keyboards running QMK or ZMK, so:

My Caps Lock key is a Control/Escape key (when tapped it behave like a Escape, when hold it's Control), and my left Control is a one shot layer switch key [1], which means I tap LCtrl once, and then press Caps Lock + 5 to get Ctrl+F5. Doable with single hand and more ergonomic as I have an unusually small hand.

[1] https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/one_sho...

I agree that reduced finger movement is a crucial step in achieving typing efficiency. This is nicely solved by mod tap modifiers in QMK/ZMK[1] where key acts as a char when tapped and as a layer while pressed.

[1]: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/mod_tap...

Separate wireless controller, see the glue code at [0]

[0]: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/compare/master...nuphy-s...

If you have a keyboard that runs QMK firmware[0] with the VIA[1] feature enabled[2], then there is a convenient testing app available from the same place you customize your keys [3].

[0] https://qmk.fm/

I made a layout that I'm happy with. Spanish is my native language, so it has characters like the accents and 'ñ', but it's meant to be used for programming as well. Visual Studio uses a lot of Ctrl and Ctrl + Shift shortcuts, so I left them in the same place as the default Corne layout so I can press them both with my pinkie finger. Perhaps some of the ideas are useful to you.

Also, it would be possible to do this for the RP2040. However, it needs some work to get working. but for example: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/pull/20999

Ok, it's an ST7735, not too different from the ST7789. You should be able to get running by looking at their files in the QMK repo and going from there. You should also check their resources page.