Pico Keyboard PCB Design

Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Top side priority:

Keep the top side clean and user-facing. Place the mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid with consistent row/column spacing and aligned orientation. Keep the RGB LEDs visually associated with their corresponding switches and avoid crowding the key grid. Place rotary encoders and any user-facing controls on the top side in ergonomic positions near the key grid. Place mounting holes near the board corners and keep them clear of switches and encoders. Bottom side priority:

Place the Raspberry Pi Pico / MCU module and the majority of supporting electronics on the bottom side. Group the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power parts, reset/boot circuitry, USB/support passives, and decoupling capacitors by function. Keep decoupling capacitors close to their associated IC power pins, crystal/load caps close to the MCU oscillator pins, and power components clustered together. Minimize estimated routing distance between the bottom-side MCU and the top-side switches, LEDs, and encoders. Prefer moving support passives on the bottom side rather than contaminating the top-side visual layout. Placement quality goals:

Resolve overlaps, keep all components inside the board outline, preserve routing channels between the key grid and MCU area, and maintain clean edge/corner clearance. Use both layers intentionally: top for human-interface components, bottom for dense electronics. After placement, run DRC/review and report any remaining overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues.

flux

2:03

Thought for a moment

Thought for 5 sec

Analyzing in depth.

Thought for 6 sec

Thought for a moment

Analyzing in depth.

Completed design checks — found 371 issues.

Read schematic.

Read layout.

Thought for 9 sec

Thought for 2 sec

Thought for 49 sec

Thought for a moment

I've made a plan and started work on it.

Plan

#Goal

Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm x 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board with a dedicated top user interface side for switches, RGB LEDs, and rotary encoders, and a bottom side for the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and supporting electronics, ensuring that mechanical and electrical constraints are met.

#Implementation plan

Configure the PCB layout
1. Set the board size to 100 mm x 100 mm with a rounded-rectangle shape.
2. Configure the stackup to a standard 4-layer design.
Place top-side components (User interface)
1. Place switches in an aligned regular macro-keypad grid layout on the top side.
2. Place paired RGB LEDs alongside the switches ensuring visual pairing without crowding.
3. Position rotary encoders and any additional user controls near the switch grid in an ergonomic arrangement.
4. Add mounting holes near the clear and unobstructed board corners.
Place bottom-side components (MCU and supporting electronics)
1. Position the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side.
2. Group supporting electronics such as flash, crystal/oscillator with load capacitors, regulator/power components, reset/boot circuitry, and USB support along with their passives.
3. Ensure decoupling capacitors are placed near respective IC power pins and the crystal/load caps are close to the oscillator pins.
4. Cluster all power-related components to minimize routing distances.
Optimize component placement and routing channels
1. Minimize routing distance between the bottom MCU and top switches/LEDs/encoders.
2. Ensure reserved and clear routing channels for proper trace layout.
3. Avoid overlaps and off-board placement to meet layout rules.
Perform a DRC and layout review
1. Run a design rule check and review the layout for any overlaps, off-board issues, or layer assignment errors.

#Success criteria

Board dimensions and shape are exactly 100 mm x 100 mm rounded-rectangle.
Top side contains a clean grid of switches, paired RGB LEDs, and ergonomically placed rotary encoders, with mounting holes in the corners.
Bottom side successfully houses the Pico/MCU module with grouped supporting electronics and appropriately placed passives (decoupling, load caps).
Routing channels are preserved and layout minimizes routing distances between the MCU and the interface components.
DRC and layout review confirm no overlaps, off-board components or layer assignment issues remain.

Set spacing constraints

Pico edge access

Review after placement

Mounting hole clearance

Finished working

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Reviews

Documents

Documents are markdown text files which describe project goals, capture details, or even simulation outputs.

Assets

step

Kailh LP Choc PC Keycap.step

Kailh LP Choc PC Keycap3D Model

image.png

imageThumbnail

stp

RB-67-0-CEMENT.stp

RB-67-0-CEMENT

Raspberry-Pi logo.svg

Raspberry-Pi logoDefault

Project Name

Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

Description

The Pico Macro Keyboard is a compact and powerful macro pad built using the latest Raspberry Pi Pico 2. Inspired by the Figma Creator Micro, this keyboard is designed for customizable control and enhanced productivity. It features mechanical switches with per-key RGB lighting, along with two rotary encoders for added functionality. With a modular 4-layer PCB and fully customizable keymaps, it seamlessly integrates with any software, making it perfect for designers, gamers, and power users alike.

Properties

License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pricing & Availability

Distributor	Qty 1
Arrow	$3.35–$3.36
Digi-Key	$9.30–$10.93
HQonline	$2.37–$2.50
LCSC	$8.06–$8.25
Mouser	$9.90
TME	$2.42
Verical	$6.12–$8.79

Controls

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misterekis / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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