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Start a new project
Every board starts as a schematic: the drawing of what connects to what. We begin with an empty one.

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Place the XIAO RP2040
Tap XIAO RP2040 in Components, then tap the canvas on the right to drop the module.

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Place six key switches
Tap Key switch, then tap the canvas six times: two rows of three, left of the XIAO.

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Choose the MX switch
The orange ? marks a part without a footprint. Pick Cherry MX 1u, soldered for every switch; the orange badge in the top bar jumps to the next one.

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Add a diode per key
Tap Diode and place six of them, one right of each switch. Press R to stand a diode upright.

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Choose 1N4148W
Pick 1N4148W SOD-123 for each diode. It is a JLCPCB basic part, so assembly costs no extra feeder fee.

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Wire each switch to its diode
Choose Wire, then draw from the right pin of every switch to the top (anode) of its diode.

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Columns COL0 to COL2
Wire the left pins of each column together, then use Label to name the wires COL0, COL1 and COL2.

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Rows ROW0 and ROW1
Join the bottom (cathode) ends of each row of diodes with one wire and label them ROW0 and ROW1.

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Connect the XIAO
Add short wires on XIAO pins 1 to 5 and label them ROW0, ROW1, COL0, COL1, COL2. Label pin 13 GND as a power flag.

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Check the schematic
Tap Check schematic. It lists pins that touch nothing, shorted labels and parts without a footprint.

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Update the PCB
In PCB mode, tap Update PCB. Every part arrives as a footprint, with thin ratsnest lines showing what still needs copper.

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Draw the board outline
Choose Outline and drag a 60 × 63 mm rectangle: room for three keys across, two down, and the XIAO below.

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Place keys on the 19.05 mm grid
Drag each switch onto the board, 19.05 mm apart, with its diode in the gap on the left. The XIAO goes bottom centre, USB-C at the edge.

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Autoroute
Tap Autoroute. It turns every ratsnest line into tracks on the front and back copper, with vias where they cross.

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Pour ground
Tap GND pour to fill the free board area with copper tied to GND, on both sides.

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Check the rules
Tap Check rules. Clearances, track widths, drill sizes and unrouted nets are checked against JLCPCB's limits.

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Review and order
Tap Export to review the Gerbers, the BOM with JLCPCB prices and the placement file. That is the whole board!

