how to build a Macropad

What I Built
The project started as a 15-day step-by-step build guide for a custom RP2040 macropad from scratch — six keys, two rotary encoders, per-key RGB LEDs, a hand-designed PCB in KiCad, QMK firmware, and a 3D-printed case. The full hardware stack, start to finish.
But a static page felt too limiting. So it grew. A live timeline slider lets you drag anywhere from 3 to 30 days and the entire build schedule recalculates instantly — day numbers update, phase labels shift, the PCB order warning adjusts to the right day. There are clickable task checkboxes that persist in localStorage, a read-progress bar at the top of the page, a live completion counter in the hero section, and four full colour themes (Dark, Light, Hacker Green, Warm Amber) that also remember your preference across refreshes.
The whole thing lives in a single HTML file. No npm, no build tools, no React. Just vanilla HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The goal was always zero-friction — something anyone can download, open in a browser, and start using immediately.
Here’s everything that made it into the final build: an animated hero with a drifting grid background, five build phases with 15 day-cards that reflow automatically based on your timeline, 75 individual task checkboxes, a syntax-highlighted QMK firmware code reference, a 12-component shopping table with direct buy links, a four-category resource hub covering PCB design, firmware, CAD, and community, and a final launch checklist.

Building My Macropad Guide Website

I recently started a project to create a website that teaches people how to build their own macropad. The goal of this website is to make the process easier for beginners by explaining the parts, tools, and steps needed to create a working macropad.

So far, I have made some good progress. The first thing I worked on was designing the basic template for the website. This includes the layout, navigation sections, and the overall structure so visitors can easily find information. I also started organizing the content into sections such as an introduction to macropads, required components, and step-by-step building instructions.

Another part of the progress was creating the visual design. I added a banner for the site and began thinking about how the pages should look so the website feels clean and easy to follow. This will help make the guide more engaging for people who want to learn about building their own macropad.

While the website is still in progress, the foundation is now set. The next steps will be adding more detailed guides, images, and explanations about the hardware, wiring, and programming needed to complete a macropad.

Overall, this project has been a great start, and I’m excited to keep developing the site and adding more helpful content.