Charybdis (6x4, 5x3 "Nano")
An ergonomic keyboard with integrated trackball.
Engineered to be a full mouse replacement solution with high-quality, custom-developed components.
There are 6x4 and 5x3 "Nano" versions.
- Keyboard Maintainer: Bastard Keyboards
- Hardware Supported: elite-C V4
- Hardware Availability: Bastard Keyboards
See the build environment setup and the make instructions for more information.
Brand new to QMK? Start with the Complete Newbs Guide.
Check out the keyboard build guides for the Charybdis and other ergonomic keyboards.
Building the firmware
You must specify the shield version when compiling/flashing the firmware.
The template is:
qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/{LAYOUT}/{VERSION}/elitec -km {KEYMAP}
See below for populated commands per layout
The default keymap is inspired from the original Dactyl Manuform layout.
Check out the via layout if you're looking for VIA support.
Charybdis (4x6)
| Shield Version | default | via |
|---|---|---|
| v1 | qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/4x6/v1/elitec -km default |
qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/4x6/v1/elitec -km via |
| v2 | qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/4x6/v2/elitec -km default |
qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/4x6/v2/elitec -km via |
Charybdis (3x5)
| Shield Version | default | via |
|---|---|---|
| v1 | qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/3x5/v1/elitec -km default |
qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/3x5/v1/elitec -km via |
| v2 | qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/3x5/v2/elitec -km default |
qmk compile -kb bastardkb/charybdis/3x5/v2/elitec -km via |
Customizing the firmware
Dynamic DPI scaling
The pointer's DPI can be changed at runtime.
By default, the DPI is set to 400. The Charybdis supports up to 16 different DPI values. By default, it cycles between 400 and 3400, with a step of 200 (ie. 400, 600, 800, …, 3400).
Calling charybdis_cycle_pointer_default_dpi(bool forward) will cycle forward or backward the possible values.
Use charybdis_cycle_pointer_default_dpi_noeeprom(bool forward) to change the DPI value without persisting the change to EEPROM (ie. resetting the board will revert to the last saved value).
charybdis_get_pointer_default_dpi() returns the current DPI value.
This behavior can be further customized with the following defines:
#define CHARYBDIS_MINIMUM_DEFAULT_DPI 400
#define CHARYBDIS_DEFAULT_DPI_CONFIG_STEP 200
Drag-scroll
Drag-scroll enables scrolling with the trackball. When drag-scroll is enabled, the trackball's x and y movements are converted into h (horizontal) and v (vertical) movement, effectively sending scroll instructions to the host system.
Call charybdis_set_pointer_dragscroll_enabled(bool enable) to enable/disable drag-scroll.
charybdis_get_pointer_dragscroll_enabled() returns whether drag-scroll mode is currently enabled.
To invert the horizontal scrolling direction, define CHARYBDIS_DRAGSCROLL_REVERSE_X:
#define CHARYBDIS_DRAGSCROLL_REVERSE_X
To invert the vertical scrolling direction (ie. mimic macOS "natural" scroll direction), define CHARYBDIS_DRAGSCROLL_REVERSE_Y:
#define CHARYBDIS_DRAGSCROLL_REVERSE_Y
This only affects the vertical scroll direction.
Sniping mode
Sniping mode slows down the pointer for more precise gestures. It is useful when combined with a higher default DPI.
Call charybdis_set_pointer_sniping_enabled(bool enable) to enable/disable sniping mode.
charybdis_get_pointer_sniping_enabled() returns whether sniping mode is currently enabled.
Like the default pointer's DPI, the sniper mode DPI can be changed at runtime.
By default, sniping mode lowers the DPI to 200. This can be changed at runtime: the Charybdis supports up to 4 different DPI values for sniping mode. By default, it cycles between 200, 300, 400 and 500.
Calling charybdis_cycle_pointer_sniping_dpi(bool forward) will cycle forward or backward the possible values.
Use charybdis_cycle_pointer_sniping_dpi_noeeprom(bool forward) to change the sniping mode DPI value without persisting the change to EEPROM (ie. resetting the board will revert to the last saved value).
charybdis_get_pointer_sniping_dpi() returns the current sniping mode DPI value.
This behavior can be further customized with the following defines:
#define CHARYBDIS_MINIMUM_SNIPING_DPI 200
#define CHARYBDIS_SNIPING_DPI_CONFIG_STEP 100
Custom keycodes
The Charybdis firmware defines a number of keycodes to leverage its features, namely:
#ifndef NO_CHARYBDIS_KEYCODES
enum charybdis_keycodes {
POINTER_DEFAULT_DPI_FORWARD = QK_KB_0,
POINTER_DEFAULT_DPI_REVERSE,
POINTER_SNIPING_DPI_FORWARD,
POINTER_SNIPING_DPI_REVERSE,
SNIPING_MODE,
SNIPING_MODE_TOGGLE,
DRAGSCROLL_MODE,
DRAGSCROLL_MODE_TOGGLE,
};
#define DPI_MOD POINTER_DEFAULT_DPI_FORWARD
#define DPI_RMOD POINTER_DEFAULT_DPI_REVERSE
#define S_D_MOD POINTER_SNIPING_DPI_FORWARD
#define S_D_RMOD POINTER_SNIPING_DPI_REVERSE
#define SNIPING SNIPING_MODE
#define SNP_TOG SNIPING_MODE_TOGGLE
#define DRGSCRL DRAGSCROLL_MODE
#define DRG_TOG DRAGSCROLL_MODE_TOGGLE
#endif // !NO_CHARYBDIS_KEYCODES
To disable the custom keycodes, and reduce binary size, simply add a definition in config.h:
#define NO_CHARYBDIS_KEYCODES
Configuration Syncing
If you want/need to enable syncing of the charybdis config, such as to read the sniping or drag scroll modes on the other half (such as for displaying the status via rgb matrix, or added on screens, or what not), you can enabled this. To do so, add this to your config.h:
#define CHARYBDIS_CONFIG_SYNC
Note that you will need to reflash both sides when enabling this.
Enable Large Mouse Reports
By default, the X and Y motion for the pointing device/mouse reports is -127 to 127. You can definitely hit the limit for that with the sensors. You can enable support for -32767 to 32767 by adding this to your config.h:
#define MOUSE_EXTENDED_REPORT
Note that you will need to reflash both sides when enabling this.