Open‑Source Python Keyboard with USB and Bluetooth Using CircuitPython

The project, hosted on GitHub, provides a hand‑soldered keyboard that runs Python code via AdaFruit's CircuitPython (a lightweight MicroPython variant) on a board with 256 KB flash and 16 KB RAM.

Step 1 details the physical modification: removing keycaps, wiring keys with solder, and attaching the CircuitPython‑capable control board to the keyboard.

Step 2 covers programming the Pitaya Go module, flashing the CircuitPython firmware, and preparing the device for USB/Bluetooth operation.

Step 3 instructs downloading the adafruit‑ble and adafruit‑hid libraries and placing them in the CIRCUITPY/lib directory.

Step 4 explains copying the custom code.py (and supporting keyboard.py , keycodes.py ) to the board, after which the keyboard becomes fully programmable.

Using Python for key‑mapping enables easy customization, such as tap‑key functions, dual‑key shortcuts, and remapping keys like D to navigation, H/J/K/L to arrow keys, and U/N to PageUp/PageDown, enhancing the productivity of a 60% keyboard.

The community response on Hacker News and Twitter highlights the novelty of running Python on a keyboard, while the author acknowledges performance limits (≈4 ms matrix scan) but stresses rapid prototyping advantages over C implementations.