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Getting Started

1: Connect to Your Device

2: Keymaps

2.1: Ferris Sweep Keymap

2.2: Ferris Sweep Pro Keymap

2.3: How to Update Keymaps

Welcome to the next generation of typing comfort! This guide will help you set up your new split keyboard with the following steps:

What’s in the Box

When you receive your NXTKB, you’ll find:

Two keyboard halves
2 USB charging cables (one c-to-c, one b-to-c)
A bag for the keyboards
other suprises…

Setup Instructions

This section contains detailed walkthroughs for getting your keyboard operational:

Connecting to Your Device - Complete guide for USB and Bluetooth connections
Keymaps - Default keymaps for each keyboard model, layer diagrams, and customization guides

Support Resources

Check the Documentation for comprehensive guides
Contact our team for any assistance: support

Now you’re ready to begin your ergonomic typing journey with NXTKB! Enjoy the health benefits and improved comfort your new keyboard will provide.

1 - Connect to Your Device

This guide will show you how to connect your NXTKB keyboard to your computer using various connection methods.

Connection Methods Overview

ZMK split keyboards support multiple connection methods:

USB Wired Connection: Direct connection via USB cable
Bluetooth Wireless Connection: Wireless connection to your device (up to 5 devices by default)

ZMK (Zephyr-based Modular Keyboard) uses a modular design where the secondary keyboard (right) sends keypress data to the main keyboard (usually left), which handles input processing and transmits the combined output to your target device through the selected connection method.

USB Connection

The USB connection is the most straightforward and reliable connection method.

Requirements

USB-C cable (included in your package)
USB port on your target device (computer, phone, tablet, etc.)

Steps

Prepare the connection: Secure your USB-C cable and ensure your device has a compatible USB port
Power on both keyboard halves: Turn on the power switch on both left and right halves (charging will only happen when power is switched on)
Connect the main half: Connect the left keyboard half to your target device using the USB-C cable
Test the connection: Begin typing to confirm that the keyboard is properly connected

Bluetooth Connection

Bluetooth offers wireless freedom but requires initial pairing to establish the connection.

Connecting New Devices

Enable Bluetooth: Ensure your target device has Bluetooth capability and that it’s turned on
Power on the keyboard: Turn on power switches on both halves of your keyboard
Put keyboard in pairing mode:
- If connecting to a new device, you may need to clear the current device slot first
- By default, keyboards start in device position 1
Clear existing pairings (optional): If the current position is already paired with another device, you may need to clear it first using BT_CLR key
Find your keyboard:
- On your target device, scan for Bluetooth devices
- Look for your keyboard’s specific name in the device list
- Select and connect/pair with your keyboard
Switch connection mode (optional):
- If your main keyboard is currently connected via USB, you can disconnect the USB cable
- Or switch from USB to Bluetooth mode using the &tog key
Test the connection: Start typing to verify the connection is working

Reconnecting to Previously Paired Devices

Power on the keyboard: Turn on both halves
Ensure desired device slot is selected: Use BT_SEL 0 to BT_SEL 4 to select the proper device number
Wait for automatic reconnection: The keyboard will automatically attempt to connect to the previously paired device
Switch connection mode (optional):
- If your main keyboard is still connected via USB, disconnect the USB cable
- Or toggle between USB and Bluetooth modes using &tog
Test the connection: Type to confirm the connection

Device Switching

Switch between bluetooth devices with BT_SEL <device_number>
By default, USB input takes priority
Use the &tog key to switch between USB and Bluetooth modes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Bluetooth Pairing Fails

Ensure the keyboard is functioning in USB mode first
Check if other Bluetooth positions have existing connections - you may need to clear them first
Try pairing with a different target device to determine if the issue is with the keyboard or the target device

For additional help with connectivity issues, please consult our FAQ or contact support.

2 - Keymaps

NXTKB keyboards use ZMK (Zephyr-based Modular Keyboard) firmware. ZMK keymaps let you define what each key does, organize keys into switchable layers, and assign tap-hold behaviors — all through customizable configuration files.

Default Keymaps

Each NXTKB keyboard comes with a pre-configured keymap optimized for its layout:

These pages contain visual layer diagrams and detailed explanations of each key function.

Customization

Want to change your keymap? See How to Update Keymaps for step-by-step instructions using ZMK Studio, the Keyboard Editor, or direct source code modification.

For more on ZMK, see the official ZMK documentation.

2.1 - Ferris Sweep Keymap

Introduction

The keymap images below are exported from keymap drawer, the latest keymap can also be viewed there.

The source code for this keymap is available at nxtkb/zmk-config-4-ferris-sweep, which provides the complete configuration for the NXTKB Ferris Sweep keyboard.

Keymap Layers

Characters (Default/Windows Layer)

The default layer and windows layer is where you would type characters.
they both have modifier keys CTRL, OPTION (ALT), COMMAND (WINDOWS) sharing same position with character keys on your ring finger, middle finger and pointing finger on both hands. Hold the key to trigger the modifier, or tap the key to type in character.

default layer

windows layer

Hold the right tab to enter right layer, then you can type in numbers or do some navigation.
Release your right tab to return to default or windows layer.
Special keys:
- &bootloader: make right part of the split keyboard enter bootloader, then you can copy in your new firmware.

numbers and navigation layer

Symbols (Punctuations)

Hold the left tab to enter left layer, then you can type in punctuations.
Release your left tab to return to default or windows layer.
Special keys:
- &default_report: type out battery information
- &bootloader: make left part of the split keyboard enter bootloader, then you can copy in your new firmware.
- MOUSE toggle: switch to mouse layer

symbols layer

Functions

Hold both the left and right tab to enter tri layer, then you can type function keys.
- BT 0 to BT 4: select position of bluetooth device you are connecting or want to connect with.
- BT CLR: clear the connection on selected position, then you can reconnect to this position with your device.
- OUT TOG: toggle between usb and bluetooth connection, so you can connect up to 6 devices (5 with bluetooth, and 1 with usb)
- WIN toggle: toggle windows layer, so you can switch between default and windows layer.
- &studio_unlock: unlock keyboard so that you can use zmk studio to setup keys
- &soft_off: enter soft off, like deep sleep which enters after an hour of inactivity, but soft off can only be woke up with wake up keys (set to left thumb key: shift)
Release your tab keys to return to default or windows layer.

func layer

Mouse

hold left tab (to enter left layer), and press space key to enter mouse layer
press p or q to quit mouse layer
MB4 is for going backward and MB5 is for going forward

mouse layer

References

2.2 - Ferris Sweep Pro Keymap

Introduction

The keymap images below are exported from keymap drawer, the latest keymap can also be viewed there.

The source code for this keymap is available at nxtkb/Sweep-Pro, which provides the complete configuration for the NXTKB Ferris Sweep Pro keyboard.

Note: Here we need to set the layout override with this file: sweep.dtsi: