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What is helloword-keyboard?

peng-zhihui/helloword-keyboard — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-06-24 · repo last pushed 2024-01-12

★ 6,617CAudience · vibe coderComplexity · 5/5DormantSetup · hard

In one sentence

HelloWord is a fully open-source custom mechanical keyboard with a swappable left module that adds an e-ink display, a motorized force-feedback knob, and RGB lighting, all built from scratch with custom PCBs and STM32 firmware.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((HelloWord KB))
    Hardware
      10 custom PCBs
      STM32 microcontrollers
      Ribbon cable connections
    Left module
      E-ink display
      Motorized haptic knob
      Swappable design
    Firmware features
      USB HID protocol
      RGB animations
      Motor force feedback
    Open source
      PCB design files
      3D printable case
      Full firmware source
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Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Build your own mechanical keyboard with a motorized haptic knob and e-ink display using the provided PCB files and 3D models.

USE CASE 2

Learn how USB HID keyboard firmware works by studying the STM32 C code for key scanning, debouncing, and RGB effects.

USE CASE 3

Design a custom left module such as a touchscreen or encoder using the modular dock connector and existing firmware framework.

USE CASE 4

Swap the e-ink display image using the included PC application without modifying any firmware.

What is it built with?

CSTM32

How does it compare?

peng-zhihui/helloword-keyboardpeng-zhihui/holocubicrubymetric/chsrc
Stars6,6176,6446,720
LanguageCCC
Last pushed2024-01-122023-10-29—
MaintenanceDormantDormant—
Setup difficultyhardhardeasy
Complexity5/54/51/5
Audiencevibe codervibe coderdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1day+

Requires ordering 10 custom PCBs, sourcing specific components, and compiling STM32 firmware, not a beginner electronics project.

License information was not mentioned in the explanation.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I want to understand how the HelloWord keyboard firmware handles key scanning with shift registers. Walk me through the C code that reads key states and converts them to HID keycodes.
Prompt 2
Help me add a new RGB animation effect to the HelloWord keyboard firmware, where in the STM32 C code do I define lighting patterns?
Prompt 3
I want to build just the left module with the motorized knob from HelloWord. What PCBs do I need to order and how does the force-feedback motor control work in the firmware?
Prompt 4
Explain how the HelloWord keyboard communicates between the main keyboard MCU and the left module MCU using the serial protocol.
Prompt 5
I want to design my own swap module for HelloWord. What connector interface does the dock use and what signals does the left module send to the main board?

Frequently asked questions

What is helloword-keyboard?

HelloWord is a fully open-source custom mechanical keyboard with a swappable left module that adds an e-ink display, a motorized force-feedback knob, and RGB lighting, all built from scratch with custom PCBs and STM32 firmware.

What language is helloword-keyboard written in?

Mainly C. The stack also includes C, STM32.

Is helloword-keyboard actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2024-01-12).

What license does helloword-keyboard use?

License information was not mentioned in the explanation.

How hard is helloword-keyboard to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1day+ to a first successful run.

Who is helloword-keyboard for?

Mainly vibe coder.

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