X-Bows Knight Keyboard

By Xah Lee. Date: 2020-03-04. Last updated: 2022-10-30.

The X-Bows Knight Keyboard , came out around 2020-02.

X-Bows Knight is a enhanced version of the X-Bows Lite/Nature.

xbows knight 2022-09-24 qCtBx-s1600 — xbows knight 2022-09-24. 4032×3024

Total number of keys: 86

Features:

Open-source Vial (Windows, Mac, Linux) GUI and QMK for configuring keyboard in real time.
Gateron Switches
Hot Swappable
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Full RGB LED Backlighting
Durable ABS-PC Double Injection Molded Light Transmission Keycaps [see Keycap Tech: ABS, PBT]
Detachable silicone magnetic feet
One-piece aluminum body

xbows knight 2022-09-24 3S7Gh — Xbows knight 2022-09-24

The xbows keyboard is my favorite flat ergo keyboard. I have 8 or so batman keyboards [see Xah Keyboards], and every time i use xbows, it is such a joy.

Xbows is the most easy-to-adopt ergo keyboard.

For my initial experience in 2017, see X-Bows Lite/Nature

Xbows is also my current main (as of 2022-09-27)

xbows knight cables 2022-09-24 sMc-s1600 — 4032×3024 USB-A to USB-C cable, 2 different keycap puller, and 2 magnetic feet. 2022-09-24

xbows knight 2022-09-24 4Mt8-s1600 — side view 4032×3024

xbows knight feet 20211019 — detachable magnetic feet

Programing the keys (Vial, QMK)

The most fantastic, one of the most easy to use.

The keyboard use the graphical user interface software Vial to program the keys. You download vial, launch it, and just click the key on the layout diagram to program them. The effect is instant.

Vial is an open-source cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac and Web) GUI software for configuring QMK keyboard in real time.

Xbows Nature and xbows knight, supports Vial since in July 2022.

xbows default layout 2022-09-25 T7jJK — Vial user interface, showing xbows default layout 2022-09-25

you can also save your layout to a file.

Vial config file is a text file in JSON format.
Vial config file name extension is vil

sample vial config file: xah_xbows_layout_id526.vil

here's key macro for Ctrl+Tab:

[["down", "KC_LCTRL"], ["tap", "KC_TAB"], ["up", "KC_LCTRL"]]

here's key macro for Ctrl+Shift+Tab:

[["down", "KC_LCTRL", "KC_LSHIFT"], ["tap", "KC_TAB"], ["up", "KC_LSHIFT", "KC_LCTRL"]]

Change Light Effect

Fn+Tab → turn key lights off/on.
q → switch lighting effect
e → switch color
w → increase brightness
s → decrease brightness
d → increase lighting effect speed
a → decrease lighting effect speed

Media Keys and Other Fn Keys

Fn+↑ → sound volume up.
Fn+↓ → sound volume down.
Fn+right shift → mute.
Fn+→ → next song.
Fn+← → previous song.
Fn+right control → multimedia play.

Fn+PageUp → Home
Fn+PageDown → End

2022-09-24

Default Fn Key Layout

xbows default fn layout 2022-09-25 Nbz4z

Xah Talk Show 2022-09-29 using xbows

Xah Talk Show 2022-09-29 the Most Efficient Emacs Workflow, more efficient than vim

Where to Buy

buy at https://x-bows.com/

if you buy from their site, chip me patreon me $5 or amazon egift card to Xah@XahLee.org