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README.md
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README.md
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# KMK: Python-based keyboard firmware for humans (and ARM microcontrollers)
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# KMK: Clackety Keyboards Powered by Python
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[](https://circleci.com/gh/KMKfw/kmk_firmware/tree/master)[](https://cla-assistant.io/KMKfw/kmk_firmware)
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KMK is a feature-rich and beginner-friendly firmware for computer keyboards
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written and configured in
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[CircuitPython](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython). **KMK is currently
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in public beta, however should handle almost all workflows without major
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issues**.
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#### [Join our Matrix community for chat and support!](https://matrix.to/#/+kmk:kmkfw.io)
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> If you need support with KMK or just want to say hi, find us in
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> [#general:kmkfw.io on Matrix](https://matrix.to/#/#general:kmkfw.io). Other
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> channels exist in [the same community](https://matrix.to/#/+kmk:kmkfw.io).
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> These channels are bridged to Discord [here](https://discordapp.com/widget?id=493256121075761173&theme=dark)
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> for convenience.
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[Or, head directly to the #support channel](https://matrix.to/#/#support:kmkfw.io)
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## Features
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If you can't or won't use the Matrix infrastructure, a (possibly fragile) bridge
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to Discord exists
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[here](https://discordapp.com/widget?id=493256121075761173&theme=dark).
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- Fill
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- This
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- Section
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- Out
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<hr/>
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## Getting Started
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KMK is a firmware for (usually mechanical) keyboards, running on
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[CircuitPython](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython). It aims to provide a
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means to write complex keyboard configurations quickly, without having to learn
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much "real" programming, while preserving at least some of the hackability and
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DIY spirit of CircuitPython. Learn more about the rationale of KMK in `Why KMK?`
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below.
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- Start by grabbing a supported microcontroller. Broadly speaking, KMK supports
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any device CircuitPython does, but KMK requires a decent bit of RAM, and in
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general requires a working USB HID stack, which leads us to recommend the
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following controllers:
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This project is currently written and maintained by:
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* [Adafruit ItsyBitsy M4 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3800)\*
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* [Adafruit Feather M4 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857)
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* [Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4062)
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* [MakerDiary nRF52840 MDK](https://store.makerdiary.com/collections/frontpage/products/nrf52840-mdk-iot-development-kit)
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* [SparkFun Pro nRF52840 Mini](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15025)
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- [Josh Klar (@klardotsh)](https://github.com/klardotsh)
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> \* The ItsyBitsy M4 Express is the only controller we currently support in
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> non-handwired configurations, using our [ItsyBitsy to Pro Micro converter
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> PCB](https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware/tree/master/hardware) designed by
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> @siddacious and @kdb424. It is our most-recommended MCU until [the ItsyBitsy is
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> updated with an nRF52840
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> chip](https://blog.adafruit.com/2019/01/26/comingsoon-itsybitsy-nrf52480-runs-circuitpython-adafruit-circuitpython-adafruit-circuitpython/)
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> Some other controllers, such as the [Feather M0 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403)
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> are usable in reduced functionality modes and may require custom hackery.
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> For example, @kdb424 uses a Feather M0 Express as a barebones matrix scanner
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> in a split keyboard configuration
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> [here](https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware/commit/1f84079dc8aadeb9627c4762d9f9fb855292c4a2).
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> Use such controllers at your own risk.
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- Ensure CircuitPython 4.0.0 or newer is installed on your controller. We
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recommend the latest stable version from
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[circuitpython.org](https://circuitpython.org/downloads). Flashing
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instructions vary by device: all Adafruit boards can be flashed [using their
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instructions](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/installing-circuitpython),
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other boards generally have their instructions [in the CircuitPython
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repository](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython) under the
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`ports/atmel-samd/boards/<your board here>` and `ports/nrf/boards/<your board
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here>` directories. If all else fails, consult your device's official
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documentation.
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- [Download the latest KMK release](https://cdn.kmkfw.io/kmk-latest-beta.zip) and
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extract the zip to the USB drive exposed by CircuitPython, typically labeled
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`CIRCUITPY`. Again, [we'll defer to Adafruit's
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documentation](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/circuitpython-libraries)
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on adding libraries to a CircuitPython installation.
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- Define your keyboard in a file called `main.py` on this `CIRCUITPY` drive and
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get tinkering! Examples of both handwired and ProMicro-\>ItsyBitsy converted
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boards exist under the `user_keymaps/` tree, and feel free to submit a pull
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request of your own definitions! At this point, you'll want to look through
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`docs/` in the source tree to explore the functionality at your disposal.
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> Linux, BSD, and MacOS users can also make use of the `Makefile` provided in
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> this source tree to flash KMK and a keymap using `rsync`. This is advanced
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> functionality outside the scope of this README, but it's documented in the
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> `docs/` tree.
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## The KMK Team
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KMK is primarily written and maintained by @klardotsh and @kdb424, but
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contributions are welcome from all, whether it's in the form of code,
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documentation, hardware designs, feature ideas, or anything else that comes to
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mind. KMK's contributors and other helpers are listed alphabetically by username
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below (we'll try to keep this up to date!):
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- [Dan Halbert (@dhalbert)](https://github.com/dhalbert)
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- [Elvis Pfützenreuter (@elvis-epx)](https://github.com/elvis-epx)
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- [Kyle Brown (@kdb424)](https://github.com/kdb424)
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With community help from:
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- [Josh Klar (@klardotsh)](https://github.com/klardotsh)
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- [Limor Fried (@ladyada)](https://github.com/ladyada)
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- [Ryan Karpinski (@rk463345)](https://github.com/rk463345)
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- [@siddacious](https://github.com/siddacious)
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- [Scott Shawcroft (@tannewt)](https://github.com/tannewt)
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> Scott is the lead developer of the CircuitPython project itself at Adafruit.
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> KMK, however, is not officially sponsored by Adafruit, and is an independent
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> project.
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Lastly, we'd like to make a couple of shoutouts to people not directly
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affiliated with the project in any way, but who have helped or inspired us along
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the way:
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- [Jack Humbert (@jackhumbert)](https://jackhumbert.com/), for writing QMK.
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Without QMK, I'd have never been exposed to the wonderful world of
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programmable keyboards. He's also just an awesometastic human in general, if
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you ever catch him on Discord/Reddit/etc. Jack also makes fantastic hardware -
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check out [his store](https://olkb.com)!
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- [Dan Halbert (@dhalbert)](https://danhalbert.org/), for his amazing and
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unjudgemental support of two random dudes on Github asking all sorts of
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bizzare (okay... and occasionally dumb) questions on the MicroPython and
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CircuitPython Github projects and the Adafruit Discord. Dan, without your help
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and pointers (even when those pointers are "Remember you're working with a
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microcontroller with a few MHz of processing speed and a few KB of RAM"), this
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project would have never gotten off the ground. Thank you, and an extended
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thanks to Adafruit.
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## Why KMK?
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A question we get from time to time is, "why bother with KMK when QMK already
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exists?", so here's a short bulleted list of our thoughts on the matter (in no
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particular order):
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- Python is awesome
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- Python is super easy to write
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- KMK cut all the "tech debt" of supporting AVR controllers, and frankly even
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most ARM controllers with under 256KB of flash. This let us make some very
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user-friendly (in our biased opinions) design decisions that should make it
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simple for users to create even fairly complex keyboards - want a key on your
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board that sends a shruggie (`¯\_(ツ)_/¯`)? No problem - it's supported out of
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the box. Want a single key that can act as all 26 alphabet characters
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depending on the number of times it's tapped? You're insane, but our simple
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Tap Dance implementation has you covered (without a single line of matrix
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mangling or timer madness)
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- KMK supports a few small features QMK doesn't - most are probably not
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deal-closers, but they exist no less..
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- KMK plans to support some fairly powerful hardware that would enable things
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like connecting halves (or thirds, or whatever) of a split keyboard to each
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other via Bluetooth. This stuff is still in very early R&D.
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## So how do I use it?
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Since KMK is still in beta currently. Flashing KMK to a
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board is still a process that requires a few lines of shell scripting. Check out
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`docs/flashing.md` for instructions/details, though note that for now, the
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instructions mostly assume Unix (Linux/MacOS/BSD) usage. You may want to check
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out the Windows Subsystem for Linux if you're on Windows.
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> While Adafruit employees or affiliates are included and in the above list and
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> their help has been crucial to KMK's success, KMK is not an official Adafruit
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> project, and the Core team is not compensated by Adafruit for its development.
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## License, Copyright, and Legal
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Most files in this project are licensed
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[GPLv3](https://tldrlegal.com/license/gnu-general-public-license-v3-(gpl-3)) -
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see `LICENSE.md` at the top of this source tree for exceptions and the full
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license text.
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All software in this repository is licensed under the [GNU Public License,
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verison 3](https://tldrlegal.com/license/gnu-general-public-license-v3-(gpl-3)).
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All documentation and hardware designs are licensed under the [Creative Commons
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Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
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license. Contributions to this repository must use these licenses unless
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otherwise agreed to by the Core team.
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When contributing for the first time, you'll need to sign a Contributor
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When you open your first pull request, you'll be asked to sign a Contributor
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Licensing Agreement which is based on the Free Software Foundation's CLA. The
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CLA is basically a two-way promise that this code is and remains yours, but will
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be distributed as part of a larger GPLv3 project. If you'd like to get it out of
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the way early, you can find said CLA [here](
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https://cla-assistant.io/kmkfw/kmk_firmware). If you forget, the bots will
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remind you when you open the pull request, no worries!
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CLA is basically a two-way promise that your code is and remains yours, but will
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be distributed as part of a larger GPL project. This CLA can be read and/or
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signed [here](https://cla-assistant.io/kmkfw/kmk_firmware).
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