2 layers83.3 × 65.3 mm
SimonShield
github-linguist/linguist
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46 parts14kMIT
2 layers157.8 × 119.6 mm
Prototype
exul/keyboards18The files in this repository are meant as inspiration for others who want to build a keyboard from scratch as well.
- Size
- 157.8 × 119.6 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 46
- Nets
- 50
- Pads
- 441
- Tracks, vias
- 993, 40
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 3 Oct 2024
- Updated
- 11 Jan 2026
Overview
Prototype is an open-source printed circuit board by exul, from the exul/keyboards repository on GitHub, published under the CERN-OHL-P-2.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 157.8 × 119.6 mm with 46 parts on 50 nets, routed with 993 tracks and 40 vias.
Its parts include 20 diodes and 20 switches. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards of this library.
README
README.mdDisclaimer
The files in this repository are meant as inspiration for others who want to build a keyboard from scratch as well. You can build the keyboard yourself with the files provided here, but be aware that it's not beginner friendly. The MCU is soldered directly onto the PCB, the power connection from the PCB to the XIAO needs to be soldered manually, there is no reset button (you'll need to short GND and RST on the exposed XIAO) and the battery is soldered directly onto the PCB as well. When opening the PCB in KiCAD and running the Design Rule Checker it complains about two not connected components, this is because they have to be soldered manually, and I couldn't figure out how to fix this in KiCAD. The config makes use of custom footprints, meaning that it won't work with the web version of Ergogen.
My keyboard journey
I've used ergonomic keyboards for more than 10 years, both prebuilt ones and keyboards I designed and built myself. I've documented my experience so that others can draw some inspiration from it. Depending on what you're planning to do, different chapters might be of interest to you.
Parts
46| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | ceoloide:switch_choc_v1_v2 | S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, S16, S17, S18, S19, S20 +4 | |
| 20 | ComboDiode | D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20 +4 | |
| 3 | SMDPad | PAD1, PAD2, PAD3 | |
| 1 | ceoloide:power_switch_smd_side | PWR1 | |
| 1 | xiao-ble-tht |
The 45 most common of 46 parts.
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Questions
How big is the Prototype PCB?
It measures 157.8 × 119.6 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Prototype use?
46 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Prototype KiCad files?
From the exul/keyboards repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is prototype/kicad/prototype/prototype.kicad_pcb and its schematic prototype/kicad/prototype/prototype.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Prototype design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the CERN-OHL-P-2.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).