Stratus is a transparent macro controller engineered to expose the essentials. Built around a custom PCB and layered acrylic structure, it transforms raw circuitry into functional design.
The Stratus Hackpad is a DIY macropad designed for productivity, creative shortcuts, and anyone who wants a fully customisable device sitting next to their keyboard. It features nine hot-swap mechanical key switches in a 3×3 layout, three rotary encoders with push-click switches, per-key addressable RGB LEDs viewable through transparent light guides, and a USB-C connection — all controlled by the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
A full step-by-step video tutorial series covering everything from sourcing parts to flashing firmware is coming soon. Follow along to build your own Stratus Hackpad from scratch!
[Tutorial Playlist — Coming Soon]
The playlist will cover PCB ordering, soldering the SMD components, assembling the case, flashing QMK/KMK firmware, and customising your layout.
| Assembled | Inside | PCB |
|---|---|---|
|
 |
| Case Showcase | Schematic — MCU Page | Schematic — Other |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
All PCB components are sourced primarily from LCSC, with standoffs from Farnell.
| # | Qty | Component | Designator | Part Number | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Cap 2.2µF 0402 | C101, C105–C107, C201, C202, C207 | CL05A225MQ5NSNC | LCSC C12530 |
| 2 | 21 | Cap 100nF 0402 | C102–C104, C108–C109, C113–C116, C125–C127, C210–C218 | CL05B104KO5NNNC | LCSC C1525 |
| 3 | 4 | Cap 1µF 0402 | C110, C111, C118, C119 | CL05A105KA5NQNC | LCSC C52923 |
| 4 | 1 | Cap 47µF 1206 | C112 | CL31A476MPHNNNE | LCSC C96123 |
| 5 | 2 | Cap 15pF 0402 | C123, C124 | CL05C150JB5NNNC | LCSC C86285 |
| 6 | 6 | Cap 10nF 0402 | C203–C206, C208, C209 | CL05B103KB5NNNC | LCSC C15195 |
| 7 | 4 | TVS Diode (bi-dir) | D101–D104 | GG0402052R542P | LCSC C1973257 |
| 8 | 12 | Schottky Diode 1N5819WS | D201–D212 | 1N5819WS | LCSC C191023 |
| 9 | 3 | Rotary Encoder PEC12R | ENC201–ENC203 | PEC12R-4120F-S0012 | LCSC C143801 |
| 10 | 1 | USB-C Connector 16-pin | J101 | TYPE-C 16PIN 2MD(073) | LCSC C2765186 |
| 11 | 9 | Kailh Hot-swap Socket | J201–J209 | CPG151101S11-16 | LCSC C5156480 |
| 12 | 1 | RGB LED Array (status) | LED101 | NH-B1010RGBT-HF | LCSC C2874113 |
| 13 | 1 | LED Green 0805 | LED102 | KT-0805G | LCSC C2297 |
| 14 | 1 | LED Yellow 0805 | LED103 | KT-0805Y | LCSC C2296 |
| 15 | 9 | SK6812MINI-E RGB LED | LED201–LED209 | SK6812MINI-E | LCSC C5149201 |
| 16 | 4 | Standoff M2.5×3.5mm | MH201–MH204 | 3757968 | Farnell |
| 17 | 1 | Resistor 200Ω 0402 | R101 | 0402WGF2000TCE | LCSC C25087 |
| 18 | 1 | Resistor 100mΩ 1206 | R102 | 1206W4F100LT5E | LCSC C25334 |
| 19 | 7 | Resistor 1kΩ 0402 | R103–R107, R121, R124 | 0402WGF1001TCE | LCSC C11702 |
| 20 | 7 | Resistor 27Ω 0402 | R108–R112, R117, R125 | 0402WGF270JTCE | LCSC C25100 |
| 21 | 4 | Resistor 0Ω 0402 | R113–R116 | 0402WGF0000TCE | LCSC C17168 |
| 22 | 2 | Resistor 5.1kΩ 0402 | R118, R119 | 0402WGF5101TCE | LCSC C25905 |
| 23 | 13 | Resistor 10kΩ 0402 | R123, R201–R212 | 0402WGF1002TCE | LCSC C25744 |
| 24 | 2 | Tactile Switch 5.1mm | SW101, SW102 | TS-1187A-B-A-B | LCSC C318884 |
| 25 | 9 | Kailh Switch CPG151101S21 | SW201–SW209 | CPG151101S21 | LCSC C404351 |
| 26 | 1 | RP2040 MCU | U101 | RP2040 | LCSC C2040 |
| 27 | 1 | LDO Regulator 3.3V | U102 | LM3940IMP-3.3/NOPB | LCSC C140319 |
| 28 | 1 | Buffer SN74LV1T34 | U103 | SN74LV1T34DBVR | LCSC C100024 |
| 29 | 1 | Flash 128Mbit SPI | U104 | W25Q128JVSIQ | LCSC C97521 |
| 30 | 1 | Crystal 12MHz | Y101 | ABM8-272-T3 | LCSC C20625731 |
- 9× Keycaps — e.g. Mouser
474-PRT-15305 - 4× Rubber feet — Farnell
2494552 - 2× M3×10 self-tapping screws
- 2× M3×12 self-tapping screws
- 4× M2.5×8 black machine screws
- Gorilla Super Glue Gel — Farnell
3532524
- 1× Box bottom
- 1× Box top
- 1× Switch plate (can also be CNC machined)
- 3× Encoder knob (body)
- 1× Frame around buttons
- 3× Frame around encoders
- 3× Encoder knob top
- 3× Short pieces used as LED light guides (one per encoder/LED position)
The Stratus Hackpad is compatible with both QMK and KMK (CircuitPython-based). Starter configuration files are provided.
Pull requests and issues are welcome! If you build one, share a photo — it's always great to see the community's builds.
To set shortcuts on your keyboard, use VIA.
- When connecting your keyboard for very first time, go to https://usevia.app/design click LOAD and use keyboard_layout_for _VIA.json to see your keyboard in VIA
- To change shortcuts, go to https://usevia.app/ and in the right top corner click on "Authorize New +"
- Pair your Stratus Hackpad
- Set shortcuts
- Connect your keyboard to PC
- Double tap the reset button on your keyboard
- Keyboard will show up as an USB storage
- Copy and paste uf2 firmware file from your PC directly to the USB storage main directory