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Forager Build Guide

PRs Welcome Discord License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

BOM

Parts included in the kit

Part name Qty Remarks
Forager PCB (left, right side) 2 Fully assembled
Case 2 3D printed with black PLA
Tenting feet 4 3D printed with black PLA
Screws Black countersunk M2x4 screws (with spare screws)
Rubber feet

Additionally required parts

Part name Qty Remarks
Choc V1 switches 34
Choc V1 keycaps 34
LiPo 1S 3.7V battery 2 Optional with a JST ACH connector
Screwdriver PZ1

Battery

You need a Lipo 3.7V (1 cell) battery.

The board has a JST ACH connector or if your battery does not have the right connector, your can solder the two cable direct on the PCB.

401230 LiPo 1cell 3.7v battery

Lipo battery soldered Lipo battery without JST connector, with cables directly soldered to the PCB.
Red = (+) , Black = (-)

Where to buy

Screws

Use a Phillips screwdriver of the most appropriate size to avoid damaging the screw.
I have found a PZ1 to work well.
Tighten the screws carefully, they are made of soft metal.
The set includes some spare screws.

Phillips screwdriver bit and M3 screws

Assembly

  1. Check that you have all required parts

    • Image with all parts

  2. Attach or solder the battery cable to the PCB and secure the battery with the double-sided adhesive tape. See above

  3. Insert the PCB into the bottom of the case. Start with the USB connector and then push the overlying side down. Tighten the 5x screws. Ensure that the battery cable is not trapped between the case and the soldering nut. Battery cable

  4. Place the top plate on the on PCB.
    Take a choc v1 switch and check that the 2 metal pins are straight.
    Choc switch pin align

    Check the orientation before inserting the switch. Insert the switch into one of the outer cut-outs. Forager top view

  5. Repeat the last step for the remaining 3 outer switch cut-outs and then proceed with the remaining switch cut-outs. This will align the top plate in the correct position. Forager top view

  6. Screw the 4x screws into the top plate.

Typing Test

With Forager fully assembled, it's time to test it out!
The QMK Configurator pag gives you visual feedback.

Default keymap

The Forager ships with the following default keymap:

Forager default keymap

Keymap image created with keymap-drawer.streamlit.app

ZMK Studio

With ZMK Studio you can change the keymap without flashing a new firmware.
The pre flashed firmware has ZMK Studio enabled.

  1. Connect the centre half to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Open the ZMK Studio website, or download the latest release of the cross platform application.
  3. To unlock the keyboard, press the studio_unlock key (first column, second row) in the adj layer.
    To access the adj layer, hold the sym and the num key.
  4. Now you can change the keymap to suit your needs. Not all ZMK features are supported by ZMK Studio. More information here.

Wireless

ZMK will automatically start advertising to allow new hosts to connect. From your computer, go to the bluetooth preferences and add a device. You should see a device named "Forager" in the list. Click that item to connect. Once connected over bluetooth, you should be able to start typing.

To use more than one host/device with you Forager, you'll need to use different profiles to manage the connection/communication with each device. To learn more, read up on ZMK's bluetooth feature.

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