- Compiled Firmware
- QMK Source Code
- Vial Layouts
- Global Minidox Config
- Global Minidox Keymap
- QMK Info JSON
I bought a used, partially-built Dactyl Minidox on eBay, but it arrived with missing maps and unusable keybinds. It also lacked Via support. Long story short, I had to DIY the firmware for this thing and switched to Vial. With only 36 keys, custom firmware, layers, and creativity were a must!
This repo contains compiled firmware for both Via and Vial, custom keyboard definitions, layout definitions, and other QMK-related files.
DISCLAIMER: It's entirely possible that my board was wired wrong, and that my firmware files / binaries won't work for your Minidox.
TODO: Add pictures of board.
The board was cheap and didn't require DIY. Everything was pre-solded — it just needed switches, keycaps, a TRS cable, and a USB-A to A cable.
After assembling the board, I flashed Via's official Minidox firmware (link below). The keyboard was incorrectly displayed as a Dactyl Manuform (5x6-5) in Via. The matrix was incorrect, and keybinds weren't properly assigned.
To solve this, I wrote my own Via V3 keyboard definition. This is heavily inspired by other 3x5_3 layouts, but it inverts the column sequence on the right half of the board. For example, the top-left key on my board ([4,4]) should have been mapped to [4,0]. Even though the layout was seemingly correct in Via, tapping this key (Y on the standard QWERTY base layer) yielded P instead. My keyboard definition fixes that and some quirks with the thumb cluster mapping.
It soon became apparent that 4 layers weren't enough for a 36-key board. The plan was to flash custom, Via-compatible firmware with support for more layers. But then Vial crossed my radar — the Tap Dance concept stood out to me in particular. If I had to flash custom firmware anyway, why not use Vial?
Vial has its own unique set of requirements. Those, plus new features, meant larger firmware and a harder time meeting the Arduino Pro Micro's EEPROM constraints. That kicked off almost 4 hours of tuning and re-compiling firmware. The end result is just shy (22 bytes!) of the maximum supported file size. To make it happen, I disabled certain features (see info.json and rules.mk), enabled Link Time Optimization (LTO), and more.
The compiled Vial-compatible firmware has the following features:
- 7 layers
- 12 tap-dance slots
- 16 macro slots
- 8 combo slots
- 8 key override slots
- ...and more!
An incomplete version of my layout is available at layouts/minidox.vil. I am still evaluating, tweaking, and tuning it, but it could serve as a base or inspiration for your own Minidox. Note that this file is only compatible with Vial.
Compiled, Vial-compatible firmware is available in compiled/. For Via's official Minidox firmware, see their website and search for handwired_dactyl_minidox_via.hex.
A 36 key (3x5+3), split bodied keyboard derived from the Dactyl ManuForm.
- Keyboard Maintainer: Dan Ford
- Hardware Supported: Pro Micro controller, or clone of
- Hardware Availability: Build Guide
Make example for this keyboard (after setting up your build environment):
make handwired/dactyl_minidox:default
Flashing example for this keyboard:
make handwired/dactyl_minidox:default:flash
See the build environment setup and the make instructions for more information. Brand new to QMK? Start with our Complete Newbs Guide.
Enter the bootloader in 3 ways:
- Bootmagic reset: Hold down the key at (0,0) in the matrix (usually the top left key or Escape) and plug in the keyboard
- Physical reset button: Briefly press the button on the back of the PCB - some may have pads you must short instead
- Keycode in layout: Press the key mapped to
QK_BOOTif it is available