[01]StoryLong-form write-up
Quokka started as a KiCad learning exercise and turned into the most-used thing on Priya's desk. It's a 3×3 macropad built on a custom PCB — hand-routed, meaning no auto-router was used, because the trace layout is part of the craft.
The RP2040 microcontroller runs QMK-compatible firmware written in CircuitPython, with nine keys mapped to the most common VS Code actions: toggle terminal, format document, go to definition, run tests, and five custom layer shortcuts. A rotary encoder was added late in the design for volume and scroll.
The shell is printed in a warm orange PLA with rounded corners and a slight quokka face embossed on the front. It took three print attempts to get the keycap alignment right.