TOTEM

Overview

The TOTEM is a 38-key split keyboard with aggressive columnar stagger. ratataque designed the original layout; GrimalDev has contributed a QWERTY variant on the totem-config branch of zmk-config.

Layout Philosophy

With 38 keys, every key must earn its position:

• Base layer: Alpha keys only, no dedicated number row
• Thumb keys: Space, backspace, enter on thumbs with layer-tap for layer activation

GrimalDev's Layout (QWERTY)

Uses the same hold-tap behavior pattern as the Corne config with positional left/right ctrl.

Key Features

• Sticky layers (&sl) for thumb activation — tap to activate layer for one keypress
• Left shift / right shift on outer columns
• Same positional hold-tap behaviors as Corne config

ratataque's Layout

Three layers with Colemak experimentation:

• Nav layer: Arrow keys, home/end, page up/down on the right hand
• Sym layer: Numbers and symbols

Physical Build

• Keys: 3x5 + 3 thumbs per side (38 total)
• Stagger: More aggressive column stagger than Corne
• Profile: Low-profile with choc switches
• MCU: nice!nano v2
• Firmware: ZMK

Compared to Corne