Keymap of My Split Keyboard

  1. The Design
  2. Base Layer
  3. Left Hand Layers
  4. Right Hand Layers
  5. Gaming Layer
  6. Keys

The Design

Customizing a 36-key split keyboard can significantly enhance productivity, especially for those who, like myself, require one-handed navigation with a keyboard. With a dedicated layer activated by the left thumb, arrow keys are easily accessible, allowing for seamless navigation in tandem with a mouse. The left-hand keys are optimized for frequent use, ensuring the most commonly used functions are at my fingertips, which reduces the frequency of switching between keyboard and mouse. Additionally, a numpad layer is assigned to the right side, enabling quick number entry.

The right thumb activates a layer for function keys, while another layer, activated by the right hand, is reserved for symbols, streamlining complex inputs. The layout of symbols resembles a traditional keymap. Opposite hands hold the modifier keys—shift, control, alt, and GUI—balancing functionality across the keyboard. This thoughtful layout exemplifies the efficiency of a well-designed custom key map.

Lastly, the key layout is QGMLWY, which has been proven to be more ergonomic than QWERTY.

Design principles

  • Keep frequently used keys on the left hand.
  • Low learning curve and memorization.
  • Use thumb to activate layers.
  • Use modifier keys (Shift, Control, Alt, GUI) on opposite hands after a layer is activated.
  • Use QGMLWY
  • Include a numpad layer on the right hand for entering numbers quickly.

Base Layer


Q G M L W Y F U B ;
D S T N R I A E O H
Z X C V J K P , . /
SPACETAB

Left Hand Layers


🔈VOL⏷VOL⏶[ ] 7 8 9
GUI ALT CTRL ( ) 4 5 6
+ - * / { } 1 2 3
HOLD0 .


ESC HOME END PGUP
TAB PGDN CAPS CTRL ALT GUI
INS DEL
HOLD

Right Hand Layers


F7 F8 F9 F10
GUI ALT CTRL INS F4 F5 F6 F11
DEL F1 F2 F3 F12
HOLD


! @ # $ % ^ & * = GAME
GUI ALT CTRL | \ CTRL ALT GUI
~ ` _ " CAPS BASE
- + HOLD

Gaming Layer

ESC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
TAB Q W E R T Y U I O P BASE
A S D F G H J K L ;
CTRL Z X C V B N M , . / CTRL
GUIALTSPACEALT

Keys

- Hold to activate layer
- Switch to layer
- To be update

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