Hormesis Keyboard

A custom low-profile wireless split mechanical keyboard, inspired by the Corne v3.

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Overview

Spec	Detail
Keys	50 (split 25/25)
Layout	5×6 column stagger per half + 3-key thumb cluster
Profile	Low-profile
Wireless	Bluetooth 5.0, up to 5 device profiles
Controller	nice!nano v2 (nRF52840)
RGB	WS2812 underglow, 25 LEDs per half

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Repository Structure

hardware/
├── kicad/          KiCAD PCB schematic and layout
├── footprints/     Ergogen custom footprints
├── output/         Generated outputs (gerbers, outlines, cases)
├── top_plate/      Top plate Ergogen design
├── firmware/       Pre-built .uf2 files ready to flash
└── config.yaml     Ergogen PCB config

boards/             ZMK shield definition (hormesis_left / hormesis_right)
config/             ZMK keymap and firmware config
zephyr/             ZMK module config
build.yaml          ZMK GitHub Actions build targets
.github/workflows/  Auto-build firmware on push

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Layout

  1   2   3   4   5                   6   7   8   9   0
TAB   Q   W   E   R   T       Y   U   I   O   P  ESC
CAP   A   S   D   F   G       H   J   K   L   ;  SFT
  Z   X   C   V   B                   N   M   ,   .   /
                CTL ALT GUI     SPC  FN BSP

Fn Layer (hold FN)

 F1  F2  F3  F4  F5                  F6  F7  F8  F9 F10
  `   !   @   #   $   %       ^   &   *   (   )  DEL
  _   _   -   =   [   ]      LFT DWN  UP RGT   '  ENT
BTC BT0 BT1 BT2 BT3             BT4 RGB  H+  S+   \
            USB BLE TOG     BRI EFF BOT

BTC = clear BT, BT0–4 = select profile, RGB = toggle underglow, H+/S+ = hue/saturation, BRI = brightness, EFF = next effect, BOT = bootloader, USB/BLE/TOG = output source.

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Flashing Firmware

Pre-built .uf2 files are in hardware/firmware/:

hardware/firmware/hormesis_left-nice_nano_v2.uf2
hardware/firmware/hormesis_right-nice_nano_v2.uf2

1. Double-tap the reset button on the nice!nano — it mounts as a USB drive (NICENANO).
2. Drag the matching .uf2 file onto the drive.
3. Flash left first, then right.

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Customizing Keymaps

Edit the keymap in config/hormesis.keymap, push to GitHub, and the Actions workflow auto-builds new firmware. Download from the Actions tab.

ZMK Studio (GUI, no recompile): Add CONFIG_ZMK_STUDIO=y to config/hormesis.conf, rebuild, flash, then use zmk.studio to remap keys live over USB or BLE.

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Bill of Materials

Part	Qty
nice!nano v2	2
Low-profile MX switches	50
Low-profile keycaps	50
WS2812B LEDs	50 (25 per half)
SOD-123 diodes	50
JST PH 2.0 battery connector	2
LiPo battery (301230 or similar)	2
Reset switch (3×6mm SPST)	2

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PCB Fabrication

Gerbers are in hardware/kicad/gerber/. Recommended fab settings:

• Layers: 2
• Thickness: 1.6 mm
• Surface finish: HASL or ENIG
• Quantity: 5 (gives 2 full keyboards + spares)

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License

MIT