Custom macropad built during a Hack Club PCB sprint

HackPad

HackPad is a fully custom macropad powered by a Seeed XIAO RP2040. I routed the PCB in KiCad, milled the case, and flashed QMK-style firmware so each layer controls a different creative tool.

2024 Almere, NL Shipped
HackPad

Routing a clean PCB

I laid out a 4×4 matrix with hot-swappable sockets, per-key diodes, and two SK6812 Mini-E LEDs for accent lighting. The copper pours double as a heatsink for the LEDs, keeping the board tiny.

HackPad PCB render

Hardware weekend with grandpa

We soldered everything together in an afternoon - he taught me the “heat the pad, feed the solder” trick that made the joints look factory clean. Firmware was written in CircuitPython so I could iterate keys without reflashing.

Macropad schematic

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