Pico Keyboard PCB Design

rmz3y

rmz3y

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.
4 days

flux

1:26

Thinking deeply about your request.

Working on your request.

Running design review.

Analyzing the schematic.

Analyzing the PCB layout.

Designing keypad layout.

I've made a plan, and started work on it.
Prioritize top controls
Bottom-side passives
Run placement review
Pico USB edge
Mounting hole clearance
4 days

Started implementing a plan

#Goal

Design a Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board that features a top side dedicated to user-facing controls (mechanical switches in a well-aligned macro-keypad grid with paired RGB LEDs and rotary encoders placed ergonomically) and a bottom side optimized for the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module along with its grouped supporting electronics (decoupling, crystal, power, etc.). Mounting holes will be near the board corners, with routing channels preserved and controlled, ensuring minimal routing lengths from the MCU to the top controls.

#Implementation plan

1. **Setup Board and Stackup**

1. Configure the board as a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded rectangle with a standard 4-layer stackup.

2. Define clear rounded corners and place mounting holes near these corners.

2. **Place Top-Side User Controls**

1. Fresh-place the mechanical switches in a regular aligned macro-keypad grid.

2. Position the RGB LEDs adjacent to or paired with each switch without crowding the layout.

3. Place rotary encoders/user controls in an ergonomic location next to the key grid.

4. Ensure clearances are maintained to keep the user-facing side clean.

3. **Place Bottom-Side Supporting Electronics**

1. Fresh-place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and group supporting electronics by function (e.g., decoupling capacitors, crystal/oscillator, power support parts, etc.).

2. Ensure decoupling, crystal, and power support parts are placed as close as possible to their associated pins/ICs on the Pico module.

4. **Optimize Routing and Design Rules**

1. Minimize the routing distance between the bottom MCU area and the top controls, preserving clear routing channels.

2. Use both layers intentionally for routing and resolve any overlaps or off-board issues during placement.

3. Run the Design Rule Check (DRC) to review and report any remaining overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues.

#Success criteria

- The board is configured as a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded rectangle with a correct 4-layer stackup and mounting holes near the corners.

- Top-side user controls (switches, RGB LEDs, and rotary encoders) are placed neatly in an aligned grid with ergonomic spacing.

- The bottom-side Pico module and its supporting electronics are grouped by function with minimal routing distance and proper decoupling.

- DRC checks pass with minimal reported issues and no off-board component placements.

2 days

Task completed.

0:26

Planning for PCB Layout.

Accessing knowledge base.

Reviewing the bill of materials.

Analyzing the PCB layout.

2 days

Execution stopped by user.

0:13

Started: Sizing 100mm rounded four-layer board

Working.

2 days

Removed 1 component

0:01

Removed Logo1

⚠️ Removed components had their net connections destroyed. Use the `@schematic` tool (with `includeNets`) to verify connectivity and re-wire any lost connections.

2 days

Updated 7 layout rules

0:01

Set Layout's sizeX to "100mm"

Set Layout's sizeY to "100mm"

Set Layout's boardShape to "rectangle"

Set Layout's cornerRadius to "7mm"

Set Layout's stackup to "Standard 4 Layer"

Set Layout's boardInsetMargin to "1mm"

Set Layout's keepOut to "1mm"

2 days
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Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] thumbnail
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

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Pricing & Availability

Distributor

Qty 1

Arrow

$3.36–$3.36

Digi-Key

$9.30–$10.93

LCSC

$8.11–$8.30

Mouser

$9.85

TME

$0.99

Verical

$6.35–$8.42

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