Now that you've built a custom firmware file you'll want to flash your keyboard.
The simplest way to flash your keyboard will be with the QMK Toolbox.
However, the QMK Toolbox is only available for Windows and macOS currently. If you're using Linux (or just wish to flash the firmware from the command line), you'll have to use the method outlined below.
Begin by opening the QMK Toolbox application. You'll want to locate the firmware file in Finder or Explorer. Your keyboard firmware may be in one of two formats- .hex or .bin. QMK tries to copy the appropriate one for your keyboard into the root qmk_firmware directory.
If you are on Windows or macOS there are commands you can use to easily open the current firmware folder in Explorer or Finder.
start .
open .
The firmware file always follows this naming format:
<keyboard_name>_<keymap_name>.{bin,hex}
For example, the planck/rev5 with a default keymap will have this filename:
planck_rev5_default.hex
Once you have located your firmware file drag it into the "Local file" box in QMK Toolbox, or click "Open" and navigate to where your firmware file is stored.
In order to flash your custom firmware you have to put your keyboard into a special flashing mode. While it is in this mode you will not be able to type or otherwise use your keyboard. It is very important that you do not unplug your keyboard or otherwise interrupt the flashing process while the firmware is being written.
Different keyboards have different ways to enter this special mode. If your PCB currently runs QMK or TMK and you have not been given specific instructions try the following, in order:
- Hold down both shift keys and press
Pause - Hold down both shift keys and press
B - Unplug your keyboard, hold down the Spacebar and
Bat the same time, plug in your keyboard and wait a second before releasing the keys - Press the physical
RESETbutton on the bottom of the PCB - Locate header pins on the PCB labeled
BOOT0orRESET, short those together while plugging your PCB in
When you are successful you will see a message similar to this in QMK Toolbox:
*** Clueboard - Clueboard 66% HotSwap disconnected -- 0xC1ED:0x2390
*** DFU device connected
Click the Flash button in QMK Toolbox. You will see output similar to the following:
*** Clueboard - Clueboard 66% HotSwap disconnected -- 0xC1ED:0x2390
*** DFU device connected
*** Attempting to flash, please don't remove device
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 erase --force
Erasing flash... Success
Checking memory from 0x0 to 0x6FFF... Empty.
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 flash /Users/skully/qmk_firmware/clueboard_66_hotswap_gen1_skully.hex
Checking memory from 0x0 to 0x55FF... Empty.
0% 100% Programming 0x5600 bytes...
[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>] Success
0% 100% Reading 0x7000 bytes...
[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>] Success
Validating... Success
0x5600 bytes written into 0x7000 bytes memory (76.79%).
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 reset
*** DFU device disconnected
*** Clueboard - Clueboard 66% HotSwap connected -- 0xC1ED:0x2390
This has been made pretty simple compared to what it used to be. When you are ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:flash
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for a rev5 planck, you'll use this command:
make planck/rev5:xyverz:flash
This will check the keyboard's configuration, and then attempt to flash it based on the specified bootloader. This means that you don't need to know which bootloader that your keyboard uses. Just run the command, and let the command do the heavy lifting.
However, this does rely on the bootloader being set by the keyboard. If this information is not configured, or you're using a board that doesn't have a supported target to flash it, you will see this error:
WARNING: This board's bootloader is not specified or is not supported by the ":flash" target at this time.
In this case, you'll have to fall back on specifying the bootloader.
There are five main bootloaders that are used. Pro Micro and clones use Caterina, Teensys use HalfKay, OLKB's AVR boards use QMK-DFU, other ATmega32U4 boards use DFU, and most ARM boards use ARM DFU.
You can find more information about the bootloaders in the Flashing Instructions and Bootloader Information page.
If you know what bootloader that you're using, then when compiling the firmware, you can actually add some extra text to the make command to automate the flashing process.
For the DFU bootloader, when you're ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:dfu
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for a rev5 planck, you'll use this command:
make planck/rev5:xyverz:dfu
Once it finishes compiling, it should output the following:
Linking: .build/planck_rev5_xyverz.elf [OK]
Creating load file for flashing: .build/planck_rev5_xyverz.hex [OK]
Copying planck_rev5_xyverz.hex to qmk_firmware folder [OK]
Checking file size of planck_rev5_xyverz.hex
* File size is fine - 18574/28672
After it gets to this point, the build script will look for the DFU bootloader every 5 seconds. It will repeat the following until the device is found or you cancel it.
dfu-programmer: no device present.
Error: Bootloader not found. Trying again in 5s.
Once it does this, you'll want to reset the controller. It should then show output similar to this:
*** Attempting to flash, please don't remove device
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 erase --force
Erasing flash... Success
Checking memory from 0x0 to 0x6FFF... Empty.
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 flash /Users/skully/qmk_firmware/clueboard_66_hotswap_gen1_skully.hex
Checking memory from 0x0 to 0x55FF... Empty.
0% 100% Programming 0x5600 bytes...
[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>] Success
0% 100% Reading 0x7000 bytes...
[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>] Success
Validating... Success
0x5600 bytes written into 0x7000 bytes memory (76.79%).
>>> dfu-programmer atmega32u4 reset
?> If you have any issues with this - such as dfu-programmer: no device present - please see the Frequently Asked Build Questions.
There are a number of DFU commands that you can use to flash firmware to a DFU device:
:dfu- This is the normal option and waits until a DFU device is available, and then flashes the firmware. This will check every 5 seconds, to see if a DFU device has appeared.:dfu-ee- This flashes aneepfile instead of the normal hex. This is uncommon.:dfu-split-left- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:dfu). However, this also flashes the "Left Side" EEPROM file for split keyboards. This is ideal for Elite C based split keyboards.:dfu-split-right- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:dfu). However, this also flashes the "Right Side" EEPROM file for split keyboards. This is ideal for Elite C based split keyboards.
For Arduino boards and their clones (such as the SparkFun ProMicro), when you're ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:avrdude
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for a rev2 Lets Split, you'll use this command:
make lets_split/rev2:xyverz:avrdude
Once the firmware finishes compiling, it will output something like this:
Linking: .build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.elf [OK]
Creating load file for flashing: .build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex [OK]
Checking file size of lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex [OK]
* File size is fine - 27938/28672
Detecting USB port, reset your controller now..............
At this point, reset the board and then the script will detect the bootloader and then flash the board. The output should look something like this:
Detected controller on USB port at /dev/ttyS15
Connecting to programmer: .
Found programmer: Id = "CATERIN"; type = S
Software Version = 1.0; No Hardware Version given.
Programmer supports auto addr increment.
Programmer supports buffered memory access with buffersize=128 bytes.
Programmer supports the following devices:
Device code: 0x44
avrdude.exe: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions
Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s
avrdude.exe: Device signature = 0x1e9587 (probably m32u4)
avrdude.exe: NOTE: "flash" memory has been specified, an erase cycle will be performed
To disable this feature, specify the -D option.
avrdude.exe: erasing chip
avrdude.exe: reading input file "./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex"
avrdude.exe: input file ./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex auto detected as Intel Hex
avrdude.exe: writing flash (27938 bytes):
Writing | ################################################## | 100% 2.40s
avrdude.exe: 27938 bytes of flash written
avrdude.exe: verifying flash memory against ./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex:
avrdude.exe: load data flash data from input file ./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex:
avrdude.exe: input file ./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex auto detected as Intel Hex
avrdude.exe: input file ./.build/lets_split_rev2_xyverz.hex contains 27938 bytes
avrdude.exe: reading on-chip flash data:
Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.43s
avrdude.exe: verifying ...
avrdude.exe: 27938 bytes of flash verified
avrdude.exe: safemode: Fuses OK (E:CB, H:D8, L:FF)
avrdude.exe done. Thank you.
If you have any issues with this, you may need to this:
sudo make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:avrdude
There are a number of DFU commands that you can use to flash firmware to a DFU device:
:avrdude- This is the normal option which waits until a Caterina device is available (by detecting a new COM port), and then flashes the firmware.:avrdude-loop- This runs the same command as:avrdude, but after each device is flashed, it will attempt to flash again. This is useful for bulk flashing. This requires you to manually escape the loop by hitting Control+C.:avrdude-split-left- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:avrdude). However, this also flashes the "Left Side" EEPROM file for split keyboards. This is ideal for Pro Micro based split keyboards.:avrdude-split-right- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:avrdude). However, this also flashes the "Right Side" EEPROM file for split keyboards. This is ideal for Pro Micro based split keyboards.
For the PJRC devices (Teensy's), when you're ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:teensy
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for an Ergodox or Ergodox EZ, you'll use this command:
make ergodox_ez:xyverz:teensy
Once the firmware finishes compiling, it will output something like this:
Linking: .build/ergodox_ez_xyverz.elf [OK]
Creating load file for flashing: .build/ergodox_ez_xyverz.hex [OK]
Checking file size of ergodox_ez_xyverz.hex [OK]
* File size is fine - 25584/32256
Teensy Loader, Command Line, Version 2.1
Read "./.build/ergodox_ez_xyverz.hex": 25584 bytes, 79.3% usage
Waiting for Teensy device...
(hint: press the reset button)
At this point, reset your board. Once you've done that, you'll see output like this:
Found HalfKay Bootloader
Read "./.build/ergodox_ez_xyverz.hex": 28532 bytes, 88.5% usage
Programming............................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................
Booting
For a majority of ARM boards (including the Proton C, Planck Rev 6, and Preonic Rev 3), when you're ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:dfu-util
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for the Planck Revision 6 keyboard, you'll use this command and then reboot the keyboard to the bootloader (before it finishes compiling):
make planck/rev6:xyverz:dfu-util
Once the firmware finishes compiling, it will output something like this:
Linking: .build/planck_rev6_xyverz.elf [OK]
Creating binary load file for flashing: .build/planck_rev6_xyverz.bin [OK]
Creating load file for flashing: .build/planck_rev6_xyverz.hex [OK]
Size after:
text data bss dec hex filename
0 41820 0 41820 a35c .build/planck_rev6_xyverz.hex
Copying planck_rev6_xyverz.bin to qmk_firmware folder [OK]
dfu-util 0.9
Copyright 2005-2009 Weston Schmidt, Harald Welte and OpenMoko Inc.
Copyright 2010-2016 Tormod Volden and Stefan Schmidt
This program is Free Software and has ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY
Please report bugs to http://sourceforge.net/p/dfu-util/tickets/
Invalid DFU suffix signature
A valid DFU suffix will be required in a future dfu-util release!!!
Opening DFU capable USB device...
ID 0483:df11
Run-time device DFU version 011a
Claiming USB DFU Interface...
Setting Alternate Setting #0 ...
Determining device status: state = dfuERROR, status = 10
dfuERROR, clearing status
Determining device status: state = dfuIDLE, status = 0
dfuIDLE, continuing
DFU mode device DFU version 011a
Device returned transfer size 2048
DfuSe interface name: "Internal Flash "
Downloading to address = 0x08000000, size = 41824
Download [=========================] 100% 41824 bytes
Download done.
File downloaded successfully
Transitioning to dfuMANIFEST state
There are a number of DFU commands that you can use to flash firmware to a STM32 device:
:dfu-util- The default command for flashing to STM32 devices, and will wait until an STM32 bootloader is present. .:dfu-util-split-left- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:dfu-util). However, this also configures the "Left Side" EEPROM setting for split keyboards.:dfu-util-split-right- This flashes the normal firmware, just like the default option (:dfu-util). However, this also configures the "Right Side" EEPROM setting for split keyboards.:st-link-cli- This allows you to flash the firmware via ST-LINK's CLI utility, rather than dfu-util.
For Bootmapper Client(BMC)/bootloadHID/ATmega32A based boards, when you're ready to compile and flash your firmware, open up your terminal window and run the build command:
make <my_keyboard>:<my_keymap>:bootloaderHID
For example, if your keymap is named "xyverz" and you're building a keymap for a jj40, you'll use this command:
make jj40:xyverz:bootloaderHID
Once the firmware finishes compiling, it will output something like this:
Linking: .build/jj40_default.elf [OK]
Creating load file for flashing: .build/jj40_default.hex [OK]
Copying jj40_default.hex to qmk_firmware folder [OK]
Checking file size of jj40_default.hex [OK]
* The firmware size is fine - 21920/28672 (6752 bytes free)
After it gets to this point, the build script will look for the DFU bootloader every 5 seconds. It will repeat the following until the device is found or you cancel it.
Error opening HIDBoot device: The specified device was not found
Trying again in 5s.
Once it does this, you'll want to reset the controller. It should then show output similar to this:
Page size = 128 (0x80)
Device size = 32768 (0x8000); 30720 bytes remaining
Uploading 22016 (0x5600) bytes starting at 0 (0x0)
0x05580 ... 0x05600
Congrats! Your custom firmware has been programmed to your keyboard!
Give it a try and make sure everything works the way you want it to. We've written Testing and Debugging to round out this Newbie Guide, so head over there to learn about how to troubleshoot your custom functionality.