Kindly Morrow
68-Key Hot-Swap Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard Kit with Knob
A 68-key keyboard you configure in code, not menus. QMK firmware gives you full control over every keycode, layer, LED, and encoder tick. Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C wired mode let it talk to anything with a HID stack.
Hot-swap MX sockets mean switch changes take seconds, no soldering iron, no desoldering wick. The rotary encoder is a genuine continuous input, mappable to any keycode or custom HID command via QMK. The 65% layout keeps arrow keys and layer access while staying under 320mm wide.
Things to build with this
- Drive a Python-based audio mixer controller: map each encoder tick to an OSC fader increment, bind mute and solo functions to dedicated keys, then use QMK raw HID to push RGB color changes from the host when a channel clips
- Build a parametric synth control surface: send MIDI CC values over USB-C HID using a Python MIDI script, assign the rotary encoder to filter cutoff frequency, and use QMK layers to switch between oscillator, envelope, and effects parameter banks
- Create a wireless Raspberry Pi debug terminal: pair over Bluetooth 5.0 with no driver install on modern Raspberry Pi OS, then define QMK layers that toggle between SSH shortcut macros and GPIO state commands, with RGB key states indicating which debug layer is active
Key Features
- Rotary encoder: continuous input, map CW/CCW rotation to any keycode, macro, or custom HID command in QMK
- Hot-swap MX sockets: Gateron, Cherry, Kailh, and most MX clones drop in, Kailh Choc low-profile not compatible
- Bluetooth 5.0 + USB-C wired: dual connectivity, switch between modes without rebooting
- QMK firmware: full keymap remapping, macros, tap-dance, layers, and per-key RGB logic
- Per-key RGB backlighting: individually addressable, controllable via QMK layer states or raw HID commands from a host script
- 65% layout: 68 keys, arrow cluster and function row access intact, footprint under 320mm wide
- HID-compliant: recognized natively on Linux, macOS, Windows, and most single-board computers without extra drivers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does QMK come pre-flashed or do I need to compile and flash it myself?
It ships with a default QMK keymap already loaded. To customize it, use QMK Configurator to build your firmware and QMK Toolbox to flash it over USB-C. No command line required if you prefer a GUI workflow.
What switch types are compatible with the hot-swap sockets?
Any MX-footprint switch: Gateron, Cherry, Kailh Box, and most third-party MX clones. Kailh Choc low-profile switches are not compatible, the socket footprint is MX only.
Can I use this as a Bluetooth HID input for a Raspberry Pi without installing drivers?
Yes. It pairs as a standard Bluetooth HID keyboard. Any Pi running a modern Linux distro recognizes it immediately. USB-C wired mode is available if you need a more stable connection for a fixed workstation setup.
Can the rotary encoder be mapped to something other than volume?
Fully. In QMK, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation are independent keycodes. Map them to mouse scroll, layer switching, media controls, or arbitrary macros. Each QMK layer can have its own encoder behavior.
Can I drive the RGB lighting from a host-side script based on external application state?
Yes. QMK supports raw HID communication. A host-side Python script using the hid library can send commands to set specific key colors based on whatever state you're tracking, build status, CPU load, DAW transport state, anything.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
Stream deck you actually built
Program each key to launch apps, trigger shortcuts, or control OBS scenes. Every key does something different, and you chose what.
AI prompt launcher
One key pastes your favorite Claude prompt. Another opens ChatGPT. A third runs a shell script. Your workflow, one tap at a time.
Custom Zoom controls
Mute button that actually works. Camera toggle. Screen share. All physical keys you can hit without hunting through menus mid-call.
Music production controller
Map rotary encoders to volume, knobs to EQ. Physical controls for your DAW that feel better than clicking tiny sliders.
