<\/p>\n
The short version: By changing the USB product ID<\/a> in a JSON<\/a> file for a similar keyboard, to that, for example, of a Keychron V6 Ultra 8K<\/a> ‘ISO<\/a>‘, it is possible to change keymappings, record macros, and execute macros from Via<\/a> for a ZMK<\/a>-based Keychron keyboard, including using the so-called standalone version of Via<\/a>!<\/p>\n The underlying reason is that Keychron has implemented the Via protocol for their ZMK<\/a>-based keyboards.<\/p>\n Example: Start JSON file: For V6 Max ‘ISO’ knob<\/a> (from this page<\/a>). It has the exact same physical key layout as the V6 Ultra 8K ‘ISO’.<\/p>\n The first three lines:<\/p>\n The USB product ID for V6 Ultra 8K ‘ISO’ is 0x0C61 (it can, for example, be found in<\/a> the operating system somewhere). Thus, change it and the name, to:<\/p>\n But it isn’t sufficient. Even for a keyboard with the exact same physical key layout, there are differences, which must be expressed in the JSON file.<\/p>\n Compared to a QMK-based keyboard, there is a shift in some key positions, e.g., for the four extra keys above the numeric keypad.<\/p>\n Example 1: If a key is mapped (in Via) to the first in that group of four (according to the V6 JSON file\/QMK keymap), activation requires to use the key two to the right, the third key in that group of four…<\/p>\n Example 2: If a key is mapped to the fourth (last) in that group of four (according to the V6 JSON file\/QMK keymap), activation requires to use key 6 on the numpad<\/em><\/strong>(!) It is far away from anything that could be explained by a simple shift in the key order (the two keys are swapped).<\/p>\n In fact, all<\/em><\/strong> of the four extra keys above the numeric keypad are in different positions. For the 1st, 2nd, and 4th, they are mapped (using that JSON file) to keys on the numeric keypad, “*”, “-“, and “6”, respectively.<\/p>\n Also, some of the keys on the numeric keypad are also shuffled around.<\/p>\n Perhaps it is due to a keyboard firmware bug? That was tested with version 1.0.1<\/a>\/2025-11-28 (other notations are “1.01” and “1.1”) of the V6 Ultra 8K ‘ISO’ keyboard firmware. There is currently a version 1.0.2, but I haven’t tested it yet.<\/p>\n Order of keys: Vertical keys:<\/p>\n There isn’t any<\/em><\/strong> consistency between Keychron keyboards if a vertical key belongs to the upper or lower row when it comes to the key order<\/em><\/strong>. Thus, the original JSON file may not reflect the actual key order for the ‘Ultra’ keyboard. Or in other words, it is easiest to choose a JSON file to clone and change that has the same key order.<\/p>\nBase change: USB identity<\/h2>\n
\r\n "name": "Keychron V6 Max ISO Knob",\r\n "vendorId": "0x3434",\r\n "productId": "0x0961",\r\n<\/pre>\n
\r\n "name": "Keychron V6 Ultra 8K ISO",\r\n "vendorId": "0x3434",\r\n "productId": "0x0C61",\r\n<\/pre>\n
JSON files blues<\/h2>\n
ZMK blues<\/h2>\n
JSON files blues<\/h2>\n
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