:gun:Sheriff: A Feature-rich Ergonomic Split Keyboard with Thumb Scroll Wheels

• Double rotary encoder on the thumb cluster mapped to arrow keys by default, ideal for text editing
• Higher keys on the num row, easier to reach
• Similar layout to the more traditional keyboard on notebooks, less mental overload for switching between devices
• Reversible PCB
• Fully generated, including the case, allowing easy modifications
• Configurable case generation
• Both wired and wireless support
• Generated with Ergogen

:art: Gallery

:sparkles: Features

Rotary Encoders

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6208423b-0291-43b4-bef7-f6bb31aa5ce3

The core feature of the Sheriff is the easily accessible rotary encoders positioned on the thumb clusters.

Encoder behaviors

QMK version (custom_scroll_layers version)

Behavior	Key Held	Left Counter-clockwise	Left Clockwise	Right Counter-clockwise	Right Clockwise
Arrow key	None	Left	Right	Down	Up
Deletion	Backspace	Backspace	Delete	Backspace	Delete
Mouse wheel	Esc	Volume-down	Volume-up	Mouse wheel down	Mouse wheel up
Repeating	Space	Left	Right	Repeat last key	Repeat last key's alternative
Mouse emulation	V	Mouse left	Mouse right	Mouse down	Mouse up
Vim motion	W	b	w	}	{
Vim motion	E	ge	e	Down	Up
Vim undo/redo	U	u	C-r	C-r	u
Undo/redo	Y	C-z	C-y	C-y	C-z
Undo/redo	Z	C-z	S-C-z	S-C-z	C-z
Speed up	8	Next activated behavior 8 times	Next activated behavior 8 times	Next activated behavior 8 times	Next activated behavior 8 times

ZMK version

Behavior	Key Held	Left Counter-clockwise	Left Clockwise	Right Counter-clockwise	Right Clockwise	Description
Arrow key	None	Left	Right	Down	Up
Deletion	Backspace	Backspace	Delete	Backspace	Delete
Mouse wheel	Esc	Volume-down	Volume-up	Mouse wheel down	Mouse wheel up	Sym layer
Repeating	Space	Left	Right	Repeat last key	Repeat last key's alternative	Nav layer
Mouse emulation	V	Mouse left	Mouse right	Mouse down	Mouse up	Mouse layer
Vim motion	W	b	w	}	{
Vim motion	E	ge	e	Down	Up
Speed up	8	Left * 8	Right * 8	Down * 8	Up * 8

Configurable case generation

The case is generated with ergogen, and the config file was written with configurability in mind. There are multiple versions of the case, including flat, tented, sinfle-sided tented and lifted tented. The parameters are highly adjustable, and customization can easily be done. See the doc for more information.

Easier transitions

One of the motivations for this keyboard is to make the transition from a traditional keyboard to an ergonomic one easier. That's why the default layout is mostly the same as a traditional keyboard, with the only difference being the extra keys in thumb clusters. This way, when you switch back to a traditional keyboard and you reach for the thumb cluster mods, they are simply not there, eliminating any chance of pressing the wrong key.

Higher up num row

The key caps on the num row are higher up, making them easier to reach.

Both wired and wireless support

The PCB has both trrs jacks and battery pins, allowing for both wired and wireless connections.

Both ZMK(wireless) and QMK(wired) firmware are implemented; however, I've encountered several issues with the ZMK firmware, including:

• Two halves unable to pair(swapping boards did not help, neither did flashing reset firmware, and I'm 90% sure nothing's wrong with the firmware)
• Rotary encoder motions sometimes skipped

It's worth noting that I'm not using the official nice!nano boards, but rather the Pro Micro NRF52840 nice!nano v2 compatible boards, which might be the cause of the issues.

Firmware

Supports wired usage with QMK firmware. Repository here

Wireless usage is supported with ZMK. Repository here. I couldn't get it to work properly though, detail here.

Layout

Default layer:

Layer 1:

Layer 2:

Layer 3:

:bulb: Inspirations

• This amazing video by Christian Selig inspired me to build my own keyboard.
• I learned a lot from the Corax keyboard, and borrowed some code as well.
• The Arkenswoop keyboard has a similar scroll wheel feature, and I fixed my rotary encoder pin definition after checking its kicad file and the information from this github repo.

Future work

• Build guide
• Screen
• LEDs
• More intuitive scroll wheel position and orientation
• New logo
• 3D-printed key caps
• More acquirable scroll wheel