Handwired Steno Keyboard

download and setup qmk.

create a new keyboard:

create a new keymap:

customize the keymap to fit your keyboard and its wiring. my files are attached below.

keyboard.json

{
  "manufacturer": "Manbir Singh",
  "keyboard_name": "stenokeyboard",
  "maintainer": "0-manbir",
  "development_board": "promicro",
  "diode_direction": "COL2ROW",
  "features": {
    "bootmagic": true,
    "extrakey": false,
    "mousekey": false,
    "nkro": false
  },
  "matrix_pins": {
    "cols": ["F7", "B1", "B3", "B2", "B6", "B5", "B4", "E6", "D7", "C6"],
    "rows": ["D1", "D0", "D4"]
  },
  "url": "",
  "usb": {
    "device_version": "1.0.0",
    "pid": "0x0000",
    "vid": "0xFEED"
  },
  "layouts": {
    "LAYOUT": {
      "layout": [
        { "matrix": [0, 0], "x": 0, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 1], "x": 1, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 2], "x": 2, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 3], "x": 3, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 4], "x": 4, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 5], "x": 5, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 6], "x": 6, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 7], "x": 7, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 8], "x": 8, "y": 0 },
        { "matrix": [0, 9], "x": 9, "y": 0 },

        { "matrix": [1, 0], "x": 0, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 1], "x": 1, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 2], "x": 2, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 3], "x": 3, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 4], "x": 4, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 5], "x": 5, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 6], "x": 6, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 7], "x": 7, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 8], "x": 8, "y": 1 },
        { "matrix": [1, 9], "x": 9, "y": 1 },

        { "matrix": [2, 3], "x": 3, "y": 2 },
        { "matrix": [2, 4], "x": 4, "y": 2 },
        { "matrix": [2, 5], "x": 5, "y": 2 },
        { "matrix": [2, 6], "x": 6, "y": 2 }
      ]
    }
  }
}

rules.mk

# Base
MCU = atmega32u4
BOOTLOADER = caterina

# Enable Steno
STENO_ENABLE = yes
STENO_PROTOCOL = geminipr

EXTRAKEY_ENABLE = no
MOUSEKEY_ENABLE = no
CONSOLE_ENABLE = no
COMMAND_ENABLE = no
NKRO_ENABLE = no
UNICODE_ENABLE = no
BACKLIGHT_ENABLE = no
AUDIO_ENABLE = no

keymap.c

// Copyright 2023 QMK
// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later

#include QMK_KEYBOARD_H
#include "process_steno.h"

const uint16_t PROGMEM keymaps[][MATRIX_ROWS][MATRIX_COLS] = {
    [0] = LAYOUT(
        STN_S1, STN_TL, STN_PL, STN_HL, STN_ST1, STN_FR, STN_PR, STN_LR, STN_TR, STN_DR,
        STN_S2, STN_KL, STN_WL, STN_RL, STN_ST2, STN_RR, STN_BR, STN_GR, STN_SR, STN_ZR,
        STN_A, STN_O, STN_E, STN_U
    )
};

compile the firmware

flash the firmware using AVRdude or QMK Toolbox

download and install Plover. set the machine to Gemini PR.

go to configure, and select the right port.

putting in the switches

soldering diodes to one leg of each switch

wiring rows using a 16-gauge copper wire

wiring columns

connecting each column (10) and row (3) to the dev board

software needed

• autodesk fusion 360

building the plate

open any 3d modeling/cad/cam software. i used fusion 360. load the .dfx file (find sample in the files section). extrude to form a plate.

building a case

build a case to hold the plate.

software needed:

• keyboard layout editor
• swillkb plate and case builder

designing the layout

i designed the layout for my steno keyboard using Keyboard Layout Editor.

raw data (or click here):

["S","T","P","H","*","F","P","L","T","D"],
["S","K","W","R","*","R","B","G","S","Z"],
[{y:0.25,x:2.5},"A","O","E","U"]

generating the plate

copy the raw JSON data from KLE and paste it into 'plate layout' in swillkb. export as a .dxf file.