/duckyPad

Do-It-All Mechanical Macropad

Primary LanguageC++MIT LicenseMIT

duckyPad: Do-It-All Mechanical Macropad

Official Discord | Pre-order on Tindie! | Getting Started | Table of Contents


duckyPad is a 15-key mechanical macropad that helps consolidate and speed up your workflow by automating keyboard inputs.

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duckyPad features a sleek design and all the goodies of a high-end mechanical keyboard:

  • Mechanical switches
  • Hot-swap
  • RGB
  • USB-C
  • Open-source

But more crucially, duckyPad also features previous-unseen-in-macropads innovations such as:

  • OLED screen showing what each key does
  • Sophisticated multi-line scripting with duckyScript
  • 32 profiles of 15 keys, 480 macros total.
  • microSD card storage, move between devices without losing macros.
  • No driver needed, works out-of-box on anything that supports USB keyboards.

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When pressed, each key executes a user-created duckyScript to automate keyboard actions:

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The scripts can be as simple as shortcuts like Control + C, or as sophisticated as launching applications, managing livestreams, or even creating root backdoors or grabbing passwords. It's all up to you!

Pre-order duckyPad on Tindie!

Thanks to the interest and support from the amazing people like you , the duckyPad Kickstarter has been a great success! With over 630% funded from 705 backers!

And if you missed the campaign, don't worry! It will also be sold on my Tindie store, but only after all Kickstarter orders have been fulfilled. Your best bet would be to join our discord for latest updates, and sign up the waitlist to be notified.

Finally, here's a video of duckyPad in action!

Highlights

  • 15 Mechanical Switches (Gateron Green by default)
  • Hot-Swap Sockets
  • Per-Key RGB Lighting
  • OLED Screen, showing profile and key names.
  • Powerful multi-line scripting with duckyScript.
  • 32 profiles of 15 keys, for a total of 480 scripts.
  • microSD storage
  • USB-C Connector
  • Works with all major OSs, no driver needed.
  • Multiple keyboard layouts (French, Belgium, German, Dvorak, etc)
  • Fully Open Source!

Showcase

By automating commonly used actions with duckyPad, you can streamline and speed up your everyday routine. Here are a few examples:

Photoshop / CAD

You can put all your commonly used shortcuts in one place, resulting in a more efficient workflow:

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Managing Livestreams

With the press of a key, you can switch scenes, start/stop stream, start/stop recording, play ads, and a lot more!

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Security Research

With the ability to automate keyboard inputs, it is possible to take over an entire computer with the push of a button.

This is known as BadUSB attack, and it was the original purpose of duckyScript and USB Rubber Ducky.

But of course, it's up to you to decide what to do!

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Launching Applications

You can set up duckyPad to open your favourite app with the press of a button:

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One-finger Twitch Chat

😉

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Switching Profiles

With all those potential usages, duckyPad supports up to 32 profiles.

Simply press the +/- button to switch between them:

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... and more!

Those are just some examples! You can use duckyPad to do whatever you want!

Features

Mechanical Switches

duckyPad is compatible with Cherry MX-style mechanical switches (3 or 5-pin).

By default, duckyPad comes with Gateron Green switches, which are linear and clicky.

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Of course, you can also install your own switches!

Keycaps

By default, duckyPad comes with 15 blank translucent ABS R4 keycaps that complement the RGB backlight in all conditions:

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Of course, you can also install your own key caps!

Hot-swap Sockets

duckyPad supports hot-swapping with Kailh sockets.

You can install/remove the switches by hand, no soldering needed.

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Per-key RGB backlight

Each key on duckyPad has its own configurable RGB backlight. You can assign them unique colours to suit your needs.

OLED screen

duckyPad has an OLED screen. It displays current profile and key names, so you know what each key does at a glance.

  • 1.3-inch blue OLED display
  • High contrast with true OLED black
  • 128 x 64 resolution
  • Burn-in prevention

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duckyScript

duckyPad uses duckyScript, a scripting language for keyboard automation. It was originally developed for USB Rubber Ducky.

duckyScript is easy and straightforward to write, but can also achieve powerful results.

A simple example would look like this:

CONTROL SHIFT ESC

Now when you press a key on duckyPad, it will execute this script and bring up the Task Manager, eliminating the need for memorising and pressing a 3-key combo.

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Of course, duckyScript can do much more than that!

Instead of just hotkeys, you can write multi-line scripts for complex keyboard automation tasks.

Here is a multi-line example that open up notepad, types "Hello world", and increases text size:

WINDOWS R
DELAY 400
STRING notepad
ENTER
DELAY 400

STRING Hello World!
CONTROL +
REPEAT 10

Note how simple and intuitive it is. You can write you own duckyScript very easily to achieve powerful results.

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Whether it's for simple hotkeys or multi-line epic, duckyScript is ready to meet all your keyboard automation needs!

SD Card Storage

duckyPad stores its scripts and settings on a regular microSD card. Compared to other methods:

  • MicroSD cards are universal and inexpensive
  • Easy to edit and backup
  • Up to 64GB supported with FAT32 format

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Companion App

duckyPad comes with a companion app for Windows 10, macOS, and Linux. You can use it to:

  • Manage profiles
  • Manage key names, colours, and arrangements.
  • Write, debug, and test-run duckyScript.
  • Change, save, and backup configurations.

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But more importantly, duckyPad app respects your privacy:

  • Fully open-source
  • No need to create an account
  • No data collection whatsoever
  • No internet connection required
  • You don’t even have to use it! You can set up your duckyPad manually.

USB-C and Device Compatibility

duckyPad uses USB-C connector for maximum device compatibility.

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You can use duckyPad out-of-box on nearly anything that supports USB keyboards, no driver needed. Examples include:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Raspberry Pi
  • iPhone / iPad
  • Android phones and tablets
  • Chromebooks
  • Game consoles
  • and more!

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duckyPad’s firmware can also be easily updated via USB-C for new features and bug fixes.

Keyboard Layouts

duckyPad supports multiple keyboard layouts:

  • English (US)
  • French
  • Belgium
  • German
  • Dvorak
  • ...and more user-created layouts!

You can load up to 8 keyboard layouts to duckyPad and switch them on-the-fly.

Dimensions

Click me for vector files of front and back plates.

Click me for dimensions drawings.

I want one!

If you missed the Kickstarter, don't worry! duckPad will also be sold on my Tindie store, but only after all Kickstarter orders have been fulfilled.

Your best bet would be to join our discord for latest updates, and sign up the waitlist to be notified.

Press Kit / More Photos

Click me to download some high-resolution photos of duckyPad, feel free to share them.

Getting started

Please see the instruction manual on how to use your duckyPad.

Making one yourself

Please see this guide.

Derivatives

A number of projects are based on duckyPad, they are listed here!

  • simonCor ported this project to a STM32F4 black pill, with hand-soldered connections and 3D-printed case, very neat!

  • headslash is working on Frankenduck, with redesigned PCB, 3D-printed case, and extra switches.

Table of Contents

Main page

Getting Started Guide

Kit Assembly Guide

Using duckyScript

Common issues / Troubleshooting

Firmware Updates and Version History

Make Your Own Keymap

Manual Setup

Build a duckyPad Yourself

Kickstarter Backer Acknowledgments

Questions or Comments?

Please feel free to open an issue, ask in the official duckyPad discord, DM me on discord dekuNukem#6998, or email dekuNukem@gmail.com for inquires.