---
title: New Keyboard Shield
---

import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
import KeymapExampleFile from '../keymap-example-file.md';

import InterconnectTabs from "@site/src/components/interconnect-tabs";
import Metadata from "@site/src/data/hardware-metadata.json";

## Overview

This guide will walk through the steps necessary to add ZMK support for a keyboard the uses a (Pro Micro compatible) addon MCU board to provide the microprocessor.
The high level steps are:

- Create a new shield directory.
- Add the base Kconfig files.
- Add the shield overlay file to define the KSCAN driver for detecting key press/release.
- (Optional) Add the matrix transform for mapping KSCAN row/column values to sane key positions. This is needed for non-rectangular keyboards, or where the underlying row/column pin arrangement does not map one to one with logical locations on the keyboard.
- Add a default keymap, which users can override in their own configs as needed.
- Add support for features such as encoders, OLED displays, or RGB underglow.

It may be helpful to review the upstream [shields documentation](https://docs.zephyrproject.org/2.5.0/guides/porting/shields.html#shields) to get a proper understanding of the underlying system before continuing.

:::note
ZMK support for split keyboards requires a few more files than single boards to ensure proper connectivity between the central and peripheral units. Check the following guides thoroughly to ensure that all the files are in place.
:::

## New Shield Directory

:::note
This guide describes how to add shield to the ZMK main repository. If you are building firmware for your
own prototype or handwired keyboard, it is recommended to use your own user config repository. Follow the
[user setup guide](user-setup.md) to create your user config repository first. When following the rest
of this guide, replace the `app/` directory in the ZMK main repository with the `config/` directory in your
user config repository. For example, `app/boards/shields/<keyboard_name>` should now be
`config/boards/shields/<keyboard_name>`.
:::

Shields for Zephyr applications go into the `boards/shields/` directory; since ZMK's Zephyr application lives in the `app/` subdirectory of the repository, that means the new shield directory should be:

```bash
mkdir app/boards/shields/<keyboard_name>
```

## Base Kconfig Files

There are two required Kconfig files that need to be created for your new keyboard
shield to get it picked up for ZMK, `Kconfig.shield` and `Kconfig.defconfig`.

### Kconfig.shield

The `Kconfig.shield` file defines any additional Kconfig settings that may be relevant when using this keyboard. For most keyboards, there is just one additional configuration value for the shield itself.

```kconfig
config SHIELD_MY_BOARD
    def_bool $(shields_list_contains,my_board)
```

This will make sure that a new configuration value named `SHIELD_MY_BOARD` is set to true whenever `my_board` is used as the shield name, either as the `SHIELD` variable [in a local build](build-flash.md) or in your `build.yaml` file [when using Github Actions](../customization). Note that this configuration value will be used in `Kconfig.defconfig` to set other properties about your shield, so make sure that they match.

**For split boards**, you will need to add configurations for the left and right sides. For example, if your split halves are named `my_board_left` and `my_board_right`, it would look like this:

```kconfig
config SHIELD_MY_BOARD_LEFT
    def_bool $(shields_list_contains,my_board_left)

config SHIELD_MY_BOARD_RIGHT
    def_bool $(shields_list_contains,my_board_right)
```

### Kconfig.defconfig

The `Kconfig.defconfig` file is where overrides for various configuration settings
that make sense to have different defaults when this shield is used. One main item
that usually has a new default value set here is the `ZMK_KEYBOARD_NAME` value,
which controls the display name of the device over USB and BLE.

The updated new default values should always be wrapped inside a conditional on the shield config name defined in the `Kconfig.shield` file. Here's the simplest example file.

:::warning
The keyboard name must be less than or equal to 16 characters in length, otherwise the bluetooth advertising might fail and you will not be able to find your keyboard from your device.
:::

```kconfig
if SHIELD_MY_BOARD

config ZMK_KEYBOARD_NAME
    default "My Board"

endif
```

Similarly to defining the halves of a split board in `Kconfig.shield` it is important to set the `ZMK_KEYBOARD_NAME` for each half of a split keyboard.
You'll also want to set which half is the central side. Most boards set it to the left.
Then on the peripheral half, you'll want to turn USB on so that it shows USB status on displays properly.
Finally, you'll want to turn on the split option for both sides. This can all be seen below.

```kconfig
if SHIELD_MY_BOARD_LEFT

config ZMK_KEYBOARD_NAME
    default "My Board"

config ZMK_SPLIT_ROLE_CENTRAL
    default y

endif

if SHIELD_MY_BOARD_LEFT || SHIELD_MY_BOARD_RIGHT

config ZMK_SPLIT
    default y

endif
```

## Shield Overlays

<InterconnectTabs items={Metadata}/>

To use GPIO pins that are not part of the interconnects as described above, you can use the GPIO labels that are specific to each controller type.
For instance, pins numbered `PX.Y` in nRF52840-based boards can be referred to via `&gpioX Y` labels.
An example is `&gpio1 7` for the `P1.07` pin that the nice!nano exposes in the middle of the board.

<Tabs
defaultValue="unibody"
values={[
{label: 'Unibody Shields', value: 'unibody'},
{label: 'Split Shields', value: 'split'},
]}>

<TabItem value="unibody">

The `<shield_name>.overlay` is the devicetree description of the keyboard shield that is merged with the primary board devicetree description before the build. For ZMK, this file at a minimum should include the chosen node named `zmk,kscan` that references a KSCAN driver instance. For a simple 3x3 macropad matrix,
this might look something like:

```dts
/ {
    chosen {
        zmk,kscan = &kscan0;
    };

    kscan0: kscan_0 {
        compatible = "zmk,kscan-gpio-matrix";
        label = "KSCAN";
        diode-direction = "col2row";

        col-gpios
            = <&pro_micro 15 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>
            , <&pro_micro 14 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>
            , <&pro_micro 16 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>
            ;

        row-gpios
            = <&pro_micro 19 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)>
            , <&pro_micro 20 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)>
            , <&pro_micro 21 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)>
            ;
    };
};
```

See the [Keyboard Scan configuration documentation](../config/kscan.md) for details on configuring the KSCAN driver.

</TabItem>

<TabItem value="split">

### .dtsi files and Shield Overlays (Split Shields)

Unlike unibody keyboards, split keyboards have a core .dtsi file with shield overlays for each half of the keyboard.
It is preferred to define only the `col-gpios` or `row-gpios` in the common shield .dtsi, depending on the `diode-direction` value.
For `col2row` directed boards like the iris, the shared .dtsi file may look like this:

```dts
#include <dt-bindings/zmk/matrix_transform.h>

/ {
    chosen {
        zmk,kscan = &kscan0;
        zmk,matrix_transform = &default_transform;
    };

    default_transform: keymap_transform_0 {
        compatible = "zmk,matrix-transform";
        columns = <16>;
        rows = <4>;
// | SW6  | SW5  | SW4  | SW3  | SW2  | SW1  |                 | SW1  | SW2  | SW3  | SW4  | SW5  | SW6  |
// | SW12 | SW11 | SW10 | SW9  | SW8  | SW7  |                 | SW7  | SW8  | SW9  | SW10 | SW11 | SW12 |
// | SW18 | SW17 | SW16 | SW15 | SW14 | SW13 |                 | SW13 | SW14 | SW15 | SW16 | SW17 | SW18 |
// | SW24 | SW23 | SW22 | SW21 | SW20 | SW19 | SW25 |   | SW25 | SW19 | SW20 | SW21 | SW22 | SW23 | SW24 |
//                      | SW29 | SW28 | SW27 | SW26 |   | SW26 | SW27 | SW28 | SW29 |
        map = <
RC(0,0) RC(0,1) RC(0,2) RC(0,3) RC(0,4) RC(0,5)                 RC(0,6) RC(0,7) RC(0,8) RC(0,9) RC(0,10) RC(0,11)
RC(1,0) RC(1,1) RC(1,2) RC(1,3) RC(1,4) RC(1,5)                 RC(1,6) RC(1,7) RC(1,8) RC(1,9) RC(1,10) RC(1,11)
RC(2,0) RC(2,1) RC(2,2) RC(2,3) RC(2,4) RC(2,5)                 RC(2,6) RC(2,7) RC(2,8) RC(2,9) RC(2,10) RC(2,11)
RC(3,0) RC(3,1) RC(3,2) RC(3,3) RC(3,4) RC(3,5) RC(4,2) RC(4,9) RC(3,6) RC(3,7) RC(3,8) RC(3,9) RC(3,10) RC(3,11)
                                RC(4,3) RC(4,4) RC(4,5) RC(4,6) RC(4,7) RC(4,8)
        >;
    };

    kscan0: kscan {
        compatible = "zmk,kscan-gpio-matrix";
        label = "KSCAN";

        diode-direction = "col2row";
        row-gpios
            = <&pro_micro 6 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)> // Row A from the schematic file
            , <&pro_micro 7 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)> // Row B from the schematic file
            , <&pro_micro 8 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)> // Row C from the schematic file
            , <&pro_micro 0 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)> // Row D from the schematic file
            , <&pro_micro 4 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_DOWN)> // Row E from the schematic file
            ;

    };
};
```

:::note
Notice that in addition to the common `row-gpios` that are declared in the kscan, the [matrix transform](#optional-matrix-transform) is defined in the .dtsi.
:::

The missing `col-gpios` would be defined in your `<boardname>_left.overlay` and `<boardname>_right.overlay` files.
Keep in mind that the mirrored position of the GPIOs means that the `col-gpios` will appear reversed when the .overlay files are compared to one another.
Furthermore, the column offset for the [matrix transform](#optional-matrix-transform) should be added to the right half of the keyboard's overlay
because the keyboard's switch matrix is read from left to right, top to bottom.
This is exemplified with the iris .overlay files.

```dts title=iris_left.overlay
#include "iris.dtsi" // Notice that the main dtsi files are included in the overlay.

&kscan0 {
    col-gpios
        = <&pro_micro 19 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col1 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 18 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col2 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 15 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col3 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 14 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col4 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 16 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col5 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 10 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col6 in the schematic
        ;
};
```

```dts title=iris_right.overlay
#include "iris.dtsi"

&default_transform { // The matrix transform for this board is 6 columns over because the left half is 6 columns wide according to the matrix.
    col-offset = <6>;
};

&kscan0 {
    col-gpios
        = <&pro_micro 10 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col6 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 16 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col5 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 14 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col4 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 15 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH> // col3 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 18 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>  // col2 in the schematic
        , <&pro_micro 19 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>  // col1 in the schematic
        ;
};

```

See the [Keyboard Scan configuration documentation](../config/kscan.md) for details on configuring the KSCAN driver.

### .conf files (Split Shields)

While unibody boards only have one .conf file that applies configuration characteristics to the entire keyboard,
split keyboards are unique in that they contain multiple .conf files with different scopes.
For example, a split board called `my_awesome_split_board` would have the following files:

- `my_awesome_split_board.conf` - Configuration elements affect both halves
- `my_awesome_split_board_left.conf` - Configuration elements only affect left half
- `my_awesome_split_board_right.conf` - Configuration elements only affect right half

In most case you'll only need to use the .conf file that affects both halves of a split board. It's used for adding features like deep-sleep or rotary encoders.

```ini title=my_awesome_split_board.conf
CONFIG_ZMK_SLEEP=y
```

:::note
The shared configuration in `my_awesome_split_board.conf` is only applied when you are building with a [`zmk-config` folder](build-flash#building-from-zmk-config-folder) and when it is present at `config/my_awesome_split_board.conf`. If you are not using a `zmk-config` folder, you will need to include the shared configuration in both `my_awesome_split_board_left.conf` and `my_awesome_split_board_right.conf` files.
:::

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

## (Optional) Matrix Transform

Internally ZMK translates all row/column events into "key position" events to maintain a consistent model that works no matter what any possible GPIO matrix may look like for a certain keyboard. This is particularly helpful when:

1. To reduce the used pins, an "efficient" number of rows/columns for the GPIO matrix is used, that does _not_ match the physical layout of rows/columns of the actual key switches.
1. For non rectangular keyboards with thumb clusters, non `1u` locations, etc.

A "key position" is the numeric index (zero-based) of a given key, which identifies
the logical key location as perceived by the end user. All _keymap_ mappings actually bind behaviors to _key positions_, not to row/column values.

_Without_ a matrix transform, that intentionally map each key position to the row/column pair that position corresponds to, the default equation to determine that is:

```c
($row * NUMBER_OF_COLUMNS) + $column
```

Which effectively amounts to numbering the key positions by traversing each row from top to bottom and assigning numerically incrementing key positions.

Whenever that default key position mapping is insufficient, the `<shield_name>.overlay` file should _also_ include a matrix transform.

Here is an example for the [nice60](https://github.com/Nicell/nice60), which uses an efficient 8x8 GPIO matrix, and uses a transform:

```dts
#include <dt-bindings/zmk/matrix_transform.h>

/ {
    chosen {
        zmk,kscan = &kscan0;
        zmk,matrix_transform = &default_transform;
    };

    default_transform: keymap_transform_0 {
        compatible = "zmk,matrix-transform";
        columns = <8>;
        rows = <8>;
// | MX1  | MX2  | MX3  | MX4  | MX5  | MX6  | MX7  | MX8  | MX9  | MX10 | MX11 | MX12 | MX13 |    MX14     |
// |   MX15   | MX16 | MX17 | MX18 | MX19 | MX20 | MX21 | MX22 | MX23 | MX34 | MX25 | MX26 | MX27 |  MX28   |
// |    MX29    | MX30 | MX31 | MX32 | MX33 | MX34 | MX35 | MX36 | MX37 | MX38 | MX39 | MX40 |     MX41     |
// |     MX42      | MX43 | MX44 | MX45 | MX46 | MX47 | MX48 | MX49 | MX50 | MX51 | MX52 |       MX53       |
// |  MX54  |  MX55  |  MX56  |                  MX57                   |  MX58  |  MX59  |  MX60  |  MX61  |
        map = <
RC(3,0)  RC(2,0) RC(1,0) RC(0,0) RC(1,1) RC(0,1) RC(0,2) RC(1,3) RC(0,3) RC(1,4) RC(0,4) RC(0,5) RC(1,6)     RC(1,7)
RC(4,0)    RC(4,1) RC(3,1) RC(2,1) RC(2,2) RC(1,2) RC(2,3) RC(3,4) RC(2,4) RC(2,5) RC(1,5) RC(2,6) RC(2,7)   RC(3,7)
RC(5,0)     RC(5,1) RC(5,2) RC(4,2) RC(3,2) RC(4,3) RC(3,3) RC(4,4) RC(4,5) RC(3,5) RC(4,6) RC(3,6)          RC(4,7)
RC(6,0)       RC(6,1) RC(6,2) RC(6,3) RC(5,3) RC(6,4) RC(5,4) RC(6,5) RC(5,5) RC(6,6) RC(5,6)                RC(5,7)
RC(7,0)    RC(7,1)   RC(7,2)                     RC(7,3)                    RC(7,5)    RC(7,6)    RC(6,7)    RC(7,7)
        >;
    };
```

Some important things to note:

- The `#include <dt-bindings/zmk/matrix_transform.h>` is critical. The `RC` macro is used to generate the internal storage in the matrix transform, and is actually replaced by a C preprocessor before the final devicetree is compiled into ZMK.
- `RC(row, column)` is placed sequentially to define what row and column values that position corresponds to.
- If you have a keyboard with options for `2u` keys in certain positions, or break away portions, it is a good idea to set the chosen `zmk,matrix_transform` to the default arrangement, and include _other_ possible matrix transform nodes in the devicetree that users can select in their user config by overriding the chosen node.

See the [matrix transform section](../config/kscan.md#matrix-transform) in the Keyboard Scan configuration documentation for details and more examples of matrix transforms.

## Default Keymap

Each keyboard should provide an OOTB default keymap to be used when building the firmware, which can be overridden and customized by user configs. For "shield keyboards", this should be placed in the `app/boards/shields/<shield_name>/<shield_name>.keymap` file. The keymap is configured as an additional devicetree overlay that includes the following:

- A node with `compatible="zmk,keymap"` where each child node is a layer with a `bindings` array that binds each key position to a given behavior (e.g. key press, momentarily layer, etc).

Here is an example simple keymap for the Kyria, with only one layer:

<KeymapExampleFile/>

:::note
The two `#include` lines at the top of the keymap are required in order to bring in the default set of behaviors to make them available to bind, and to import a set of defines for the key codes, so keymaps can use parameters like `N2` or `K` instead of the raw keycode numeric values.
:::

### Keymap Behaviors

Further documentation on behaviors and bindings is forthcoming, but a summary of the current behaviors you can bind to key positions is as follows:

- `kp` is the "key press" behavior, and takes a single binding argument of the key code from the 'keyboard/keypad" HID usage table.
- `mo` is the "momentary layer" behavior, and takes a single binding argument of the numeric ID of the layer to momentarily enable when that key is held.
- `trans` is the "transparent" behavior, useful to be place in higher layers above `mo` bindings to be sure the key release is handled by the lower layer. No binding arguments are required.
- `mt` is the "mod-tap" behavior, and takes two binding arguments, the modifier to use if held, and the keycode to send if tapped.

## Metadata

ZMK makes use of an additional metadata YAML file for all boards and shields to provide high level information about the hardware to be incorporated into setup scripts/utilities, website hardware list, etc.

The naming convention for metadata files is `{item_id}.zmk.yml`, where the `item_id` is the board/shield identifier, including version information but excluding any optional split `_left`/`_right` suffix, e.g. `corne.zmk.yml` or `nrfmicro_11.zmk.yml`.

Here is a sample `corne.zmk.yml` file from the repository:

```yaml
file_format: "1"
id: corne
name: Corne
type: shield
url: https://github.com/foostan/crkbd/
requires: [pro_micro]
exposes: [i2c_oled]
features:
  - keys
  - display
siblings:
  - corne_left
  - corne_right
```

You should place a properly named `foo.zmk.yml` file in the directory next to your other shield values, and fill it out completely and accurately. See [Hardware Metadata Files](/docs/development/hardware-metadata-files) for the full details.

## Adding Features

### Encoders

EC11 encoder support can be added to your board or shield by adding the appropriate lines to your board/shield's configuration (.conf), device tree (.dtsi), overlay (.overlay), and keymap (.keymap) files.

<Tabs
defaultValue="conf"
values={[
{label: '.conf', value: 'conf'},
{label: '.dtsi', value: 'dtsi'},
{label: '.overlay', value: 'overlay'},
{label: '.keymap', value: 'keymap'},
]}>
<TabItem value="conf">

In your configuration file you will need to add the following lines so that the encoders can be enabled/disabled:

```ini
# Uncomment to enable encoder
# CONFIG_EC11=y
# CONFIG_EC11_TRIGGER_GLOBAL_THREAD=y
```

These should be commented by default for encoders that are optional/can be swapped with switches, but can be uncommented if encoders are part of the default design.

:::note
If building locally for split boards, you may need to add these lines to the specific half's configuration file as well as the combined configuration file.
:::

</TabItem>
<TabItem value = "dtsi">
In your device tree file you will need to add the following lines to define the encoder sensor:

```dts
    left_encoder: encoder_left {
        compatible = "alps,ec11";
        label = "LEFT_ENCODER";
        a-gpios = <PIN_A (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_UP)>;
        b-gpios = <PIN_B (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH | GPIO_PULL_UP)>;
        steps = <80>;
        status = "disabled";
    };
```

Here you need to replace `PIN_A` and `PIN_B` with the appropriate pins that your PCB utilizes for the encoder(s). See [shield overlays section above](#shield-overlays) on the appropriate node label and pin number to use for GPIOs.

The `steps` property should corresponded to the documented pulses per rotation for the encoders used on the keyboard, typically found on the datasheet of the component. If users use different encoders when they build, the value can be overridden in their keymap.

Add additional encoders as necessary by duplicating the above lines, replacing `left` with whatever you would like to call your encoder, and updating the pins. Note that support for peripheral (right) side sensors over BLE is still in progress.

Once you have defined the encoder sensors, you will have to add them to the list of sensors:

```dts
    sensors: sensors {
        compatible = "zmk,keymap-sensors";
        sensors = <&left_encoder &right_encoder>;
        triggers-per-rotation = <20>;
    };
```

In this example, a left_encoder and right_encoder are both added. Additional encoders can be added with spaces separating each, and the order they are added here determines the order in which you define their behavior in your keymap.

In addition, a default value for the number of times the sensors trigger the bound behavior per full rotation is set via the `triggers-per-rotation` property. See [Encoders Config](../config/encoders.md#devicetree) for more details.

</TabItem>
<TabItem value = "overlay">
Add the following lines to your overlay file(s) to enable the encoder:

```dts
&left_encoder {
    status = "okay";
};
```

:::note
For split keyboards, make sure to add left hand encoders to the left .overlay file and right hand encoders to the right .overlay file.
:::

</TabItem>
<TabItem value = "keymap">
Add the following line to your keymap file to add default encoder behavior bindings:

```dts
sensor-bindings = <&inc_dec_kp C_VOL_UP C_VOL_DN>;
```

Add additional bindings as necessary to match the default number of encoders on your board. See the [Encoders](../features/encoders.md) and [Keymap](../features/keymaps.md) feature documentation for more details.

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Testing

Once you've fully created the new keyboard shield definition,
you should be able to test with a build command like:

```sh
west build --pristine -b nice_nano_v2 -- -DSHIELD=my_board
```

The above build command generates `build/zephyr/zmk.uf2`. If your board
supports USB Flashing Format (UF2), copy that file onto the root of the USB mass
storage device for your board. The controller should flash your built firmware
and automatically restart once flashing is complete.

Alternatively, if your board supports flashing and you're not developing from
within a Dockerized environment, enable Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) mode on
your board and run the following command to test your build:

```sh
west flash
```

Please have a look at documentation specific to
[building and flashing](build-flash.md) for additional information.

:::note
Further testing your keyboard shield without altering the root keymap file can be done with the use of `-DZMK_CONFIG` in your `west build` command,
shown [here](build-flash.md#building-from-zmk-config-folder)
:::
