Rust Keyboard Toolkit
rktk is a keyboard firmware framework written in Rust.
Currently, rktk supports nRF52840 and RP2040, and although there are bugs and performance issues (especially related to split keyboards), it can be used as a decent keyboard.
This firmware consists of two parts: the core functionality implemented in the
rktk crate and the driver that actually interacts with the hardware. This
makes it easy to extend.
- Main site: Very incomplete documentation site
- API Docs: RKTK Rust API docs
- Deepwiki: It contains some incorrect content, but considering it is AI-generated, it is excellent.
- RKTK client: rktk remote protocol (rrp) online configurator (remapper)
The /keyboards directory in this repository contains firmware code using rktk for each keyboard.
Code for a specific platform and keyboard constitutes a single crate. Crates can be used as both libraries and binaries. The library serves as a collection of useful code for that keyboard. The binary is the actual keyboard firmware built using it.
Below is an overview of the features included in rktk.
- ✅ : Working
- 🟡 : Basic implementation only or known bugs.
- 🔴 : Planned.
- (blank): N/A.
| Feature | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Keyscan | ✅ | |
| Key mapping | 🟡 | See below table for detail |
| Mouse | ✅ | |
| Encoder | 🟡 | |
| Hook system | 🟡 | |
| USB | ✅ | |
| Bluetooth | 🟡 | |
| Split keyboard | ✅ | |
| Display | 🟡 | |
| Storage | 🟡 | |
| RGB led | 🟡 | |
| Remapper (rktk-client) | 🟡 |
Key mapping features is implemented in kmsm and this crate does not
depend on rktk or embassy.
| Feature name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | ||
| Tap-Hold | ✅ | Called as Mod-Tap or Layer-Tap in QMK |
| Tap Dance | ✅ | |
| Oneshot key | ✅ | |
| Combo key | 🟡 | |
| Key code | ||
| Normal key | ✅ | |
| Modifier key | ✅ | |
| Media key | ✅ | |
| Mouse key | ✅ | |
| Mouse scroll momentary | ✅ | |
| Layer momentary (MO) | ✅ | |
| Layer toggle (TG) | ✅ |
Driver that is available in the rktk-drivers-common crate is available for all
platforms which have embassy compatible HAL.
| Driver | Common | RP2040 | NRF52840 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key scanner | |||
| Matrix | 🟡 | - | - |
| Matrix with shift register | ✅ | - | - |
| (Japanese) Duplex-Matrix | 🟡 | - | - |
| Mouse | |||
| PMW3360 | ✅ | - | - |
| PAW3395 | ✅ | - | - |
| Encoder | 🟡 | - | - |
| Debouncer | |||
| Eager debouncer | 🟡 | - | - |
| Host communication | |||
| USB | ✅ | - | - |
| Bluetooth | 🟡 (Trouble) | 🟡 (SoftDevice) | |
| Split communication | |||
| Half-duplex (single wire, TRS) | 🟡 (PIO) | 🟡 (UART) | |
| Full-duplex (dual wire, TRRS) | ✅ (UART) | ||
| Bluetooth | 🔴 | ||
| Display | |||
| SSD1306 | ✅ | - | - |
| Storage | |||
| sequential-storage (NorFlash) | 🟡 | - | - |
| RGB led | |||
| WS2812 | ✅ (PIO) | ✅ (PWM) |
In addition to the dependencies specified here, to develop rktk, you need to install the following dependencies:
- cargo-hack: To run matrix check
- dioxus cli: To run rktk-client
- cargo-check-delta: Used by rust-analyzer
rktk's MSRV is the latest stable version of Rust.
Although, a nightly compiler is required to minimize the binary size.
As a library, rktk does not depend on unstable feature, but the rktk repository workspace depends on cargo's unstable feature. Therefore, nightly is required to develop rktk.
- rumcake: RP2040 double-tap-reset driver
- rust-dilemma: RP2040 Half-duplex communication
- qmk: RP2040 Half-duplex communication
- rmk: BLE implemention