I typically don’t like using closed source software when I can avoid it. To my knowledge, QMK is open source, but VIA is not (as convenient as it is to use). It also requires your browser to use the WebHID API, which is problematic computer-security wise IMO.

Because of this, I was considering trying an open source version of VIA called vial. Does anyone have any experience with using it? How does it compare to VIA?

I think I could also try using QMK configurator to remap my keyboard/create new firmware, and to use QMK Toolbox to flash the firmware onto the keyboard. However, I was reading this keychron blog post: https://www.keychron.com/blogs/archived/how-to-factory-reset-or-flash-your-qmk-via-enabled-keychron-v6-keyboard. It says that “If everything works fine with your keyboard. Please don’t flash the firmware. There is a chance it can damage your keyboard”. I am aware that if I unplugged during a firmware update it could brick it, but otherwise it would work out fine, right? Would the reset button underneath the spacebar save me in that situation? It is hard to tell whether this is just keychron trying to go the safest route to avoid tech support calls or if this is actually a valid recommendation.

Overall, what software should I use to remap keys and program macros on my keychron v6 (encoder version)?

  • @osbo9991OP
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    1 year ago

    I might just use QMK then because QMK support is already built into my keyboard by default (along with via, but I don’t want to use it). Plus, I will be able to take advantage of every option that QMK based firmware has to offer in the future.

    However, I will probably stick to their GUI based tools like QMK toolbox and the QMK configurator for now. Something strange I noticed in the GUI for QMK toolbox was the MCU selection. It has a dropdown that says MCU (AVR only), and the listed ones are only Atmel MCUs. Do I just ignore this menu if I have a STM32L432 MCU in my keyboard? Keychron’s guide doesn’t mention this dropdown at all.