Multi-Layer Macro Keys as Minimalist Keyboard with Kbfirmware Based on Arduino Pro Micro

The third-generation computer is the first computer that allows users to interact with keyboards and monitors. A keyboard is a hardware device used to enter letters, numbers, special characters, and commands into a computer. In Indonesia, the most commonly used layout is QWERTY, which was adopted from the typewriter layout created by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1868. While functional, using a mouse can limit keyboard accessibility. This research aims to develop an Arduino Pro Micro-based Multi-Layer Minimalist Keyboard, designed to optimize keyboard functionality by offering customizable key mappings and macros for repeated tasks. This minimalist keyboard allows users to execute shortcuts and complex commands with a single keypress, thereby improving workflow efficiency. The multilayer feature extends the keyboard's functionality beyond its physical buttons. This research employs Visual Studio Code for program writing, which is later converted using kbfirmware and flashed into the Arduino Pro Micro via QMK Toolbox. The prototype has been tested using Black Box Testing, showing a 100% success rate in key mapping functionality and macro execution. The results demonstrate that this minimalist keyboard significantly enhances user efficiency, particularly for repetitive tasks and shortcuts, making it a viable solution for improving user interaction with computer systems.