qmk_firmware VS awesome-split-keyboards

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.

I converted to Ortho keyboards with column stagger rather than row stagger and I haven't looked back. If you haven't, I suggest checking out /r/ErgoMechKeyboards for some great options. https://kbd.news/ is also a really good resource, as is https://github.com/diimdeep/awesome-split-keyboards.

Check e.g. this github repository for examples of that type of keyboard. Better shell out some $$ and adjust to one of those now than to have tendon/joint/nerve damage for decades.

There are many ready-to-go ones in this list: https://github.com/diimdeep/awesome-split-keyboards

You should consider adding links to the comparison site for split keyboard kit layouts, and perhaps the list of Awesome Split Keyboards. They're both good starting points for checking out what's out there, though the Awesome list can be a bit outdated by now.

Awesome Split Keyboards will give you an idea of how the boards look and links to vendors or open source projects (ie. sending Gerber files to a PCB fabricator of your choice)

Awesome Split Keyboards

Apologies for the incorrect image link. I assumed it could be edited afterwards. Btw here is the reference image link: https://github.com/diimdeep/awesome-split-keyboards/blob/master/img/Ergotravel.jpg