How I set up my Dygma Defy keyboard layers

After discovering the joy of using mechanical keyboards in 2020, I had been using a traditional “staggered” layout split keyboard for a number of years (a Mistel Barocco MD770 with red, then brown switches), and I was keen to move into the world of columnar layouts given the ergonomic benefits. But, with so much choice on the market, and not wanting to get too deep into custom keyboard builds, I never quite made the leap. However, ergonomic keyboard shop Dygma were kind enough to reach out to me in 2024 to send me a Dygma Defy keyboard to try.

I chose the wireless silver version with an extra set of English UK key caps, Kailh silent pink switches, tenting, and the RGBW Underglow.

It looks beautiful on my desk. But does a beautiful keyboard like this deliver what it looks like it promises? And is it really worth the investment? And by investment I don’t just mean the money. Moving from a more traditional keyboard layout to a customised columnar layout is certainly a challenge if you’ve been typing “the normal way” for most of your life, and requires quite a bit of time investment to relearn how to type and to develop muscle memory for key customisations and layers. What’s more, I use multiple devices on a daily basis, and I only use a columnar keyboard for work. Switching back and forth between a columnar layout and staggered layout took quite a bit of getting used to at first, but now it’s second nature, like switching between playing a flute and a piccolo, if you’re familiar with that type of thing.

Honestly though, I am really enjoying using my Dygma Defy and I can’t see myself switching to a different keyboard any time soon. With that being said, I probably don’t use this keyboard to its full potential, and so I thought I’d take the time to talk through my five customised layers for anyone who’s curious, and also to remind myself what customisations I don’t use enough.

The Dygma Defy is customisable using Bazecor (software built by Dygma), and it’s pretty intuitive. It allows for some incredible customisations, including macros (combinations of keys), Superkeys, and full LED customisation. Plus, I periodically save a backup of my configuration to GitHub, which has been useful when switching machines.

The base layer is the default layer, and is used for general typing activities with a few modifications.

• The yellow keys numbered 2, 3, 4 switch to the relevant layers by holding the key. You can choose whether the layers are accessed via a key press or a key hold. I prefer to use the key hold so that I can be sure that when I am not touching the keyboard, the base layer is active.

• I configured two Enter keys; I usually use the right Enter key when typing, but the left Enter key is useful when I am using my trackpad with my right hand to move the cursor around text.

• The same is true for the extra backspace key on the left thumb cluster, coloured red to match the other backspace key at the top right, which is where it usually lives on more traditional keyboards.

• I also configured two command keys (⌘) on the left and right, but I only really use the left.

• Two space keys on either side are also useful, but I only really use the right.

• On the left there is a Superkey, coloured purple. Superkeys are a really neat concept by Dygma, which allow you to use different actions on one key to do different things. On this Superkey, a single press copies, a long press pastes, and a double tap cuts.

• On the right there is a macro key labelled “Emoji”, which is configured to pop up the emoji picker on Mac, which is the equivalent of pressing CTRL + Left ⌘ + Space.

• There are also some keys to check the battery level or pair with bluetooth, which I set up to remind me those things existed. I don’t really use these keys, given I keep my keyboard plugged in to give me quicker access to configuring things in Bazecor on the fly (customisation is more stable when the keyboard is plugged in). I am a little annoyed with the wires on my desk all the time, so maybe I’ll switch to wireless at some point.

This is pretty much a standard setup, with a few personalisations:

• I don’t use caps lock, so I switched that key for a backtick (above left shift).

• Backspace and delete are useful next to each other at the top right.

• I added an LED configuration cycle button for my left hand (next to B), which I press by mistake far too often. I should probably remove this given I prefer to use the keyboard with my own LED colour-codings, but I always feel like sometimes I might want to change the LEDs to one of the other settings, like rainbow, or pure white. But colour is such as important part of how I configured my keyboard, so I just don’t.

• I configured some commonly used symbols in the two centre columns: -, =, [, ], \.

• The SUPER H key when held switches to layer 5, which I’ll describe below. It functions as a standard H key when tapped.

This layer is a pretty powerful layer, with a number of macros that power window management. It is accessed by holding the layer 2 button on the right thumb cluster, which appears as TRANS for transparent on this layer, meaning it always defaults to the base layer function.

I’m using Raycast for window management. Setting up the window management keys involved configuring the commands in Raycast first, and mapping those commands to macros in Bazecor. I’ve found this to be a really efficient way of using window management without having to memorise a bunch of key commands, which are often convoluted. That being said, I have no idea what key commands I set up in Raycast now, so I am lost without the Dygma with regards to window management.

• The pink keys around the middle power a number of window management macros, such as left half/right half/top half/bottom half and centre to screen.

• The two MACRO Move keys on the left side move windows between screens.

• The MACRO Maxim key in purple on the left side maximises a window.

• The arrow keys are self explanatory.

• I don’t use HOME, END, PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN, but I didn’t really use them on a traditional keyboard either. I probably should.

• I also put caps lock on this layer, but I forgot about this, so don’t use it.

• I set up the number pad on the right side, but I hardly use this because I seldom press the correct keys. I coloured the 5 key on the number pad differently to try and position my hand correctly, but I just haven’t used it enough for the muscle memory to kick in yet.

• Upon inspecting this layer whilst writing this post, I had forgotten that I had set up a Macro to open the clipboard in Raycast on the right thumb clubster. To this day I have been using the long traditional shortcut on the base layer. I think I don’t use it because it’s awkward to press the key combination of thumb and fourth finger on that right cluster unless I move my hand a lot.

This layer serves to recreate most of the F row keys and their functionality on a Mac, with some bonus macros.

• The F key row is at the top. I seldom have a use for this.

• Media keys and volume control are on the left.

• The pink macro on the left is a Mac screen capture macro, which I use a lot. It’s the equivalent of pressing CTRL + Shift + Left ⌘ + 4.

• On the right, I set up two macros to zoom in and out, as it was cumbersome on the base layer to use ⌘ + +/- to zoom in and out, given that I placed the + and - on opposite sides of the keyboard.

• On the right I also configured keys for increasing/decreasing my laptop screen brightness, and sleeping or shutting down my machine. I always use the sleep button. These functions are built into Bazecore, which I think is a really nice touch. There’s even the option to bring up a calculator! But I tend to use Raycast for quick calculations.

I set up a mouse layer in the hope that I would train myself to use my trackpad less, and stop moving my hands back and forth from the keyboard. This has, so far, been unsuccessful.

To hold the layer 4 access button and use the mouse wheel up/down keys is quite comfortable but I think I could find a better configuration. Maybe I should just unplug my trackpad and force myself down this path.

Whilst I have become very comfortable typing text on this keyboard, I still make quite a few mistakes when coding. It’s still ingrained in me to use the traditional keyboard configurations on the base layer for symbols like [] and {} with the shift key.

I set up a symbols layer to try and improve my efficiency with these symbols, which is accessed by holding H on the right. I just haven’t developed the muscle memory to access this layer enough, yet.

I colour-coded similar opening and closing brackets to try and train me on which was which. I even set up a macro for ⇒ for all you JavaScript fans out there.

I realised whilst writing this post that I have not been making use of the keyboard tenting, which I have heard is good for reducing strain on your wrists. I stopped using tenting when I found it difficult to type earlier this year when I was having trouble with my hands (read How I learned to code with my voice if you’re curious), and I forgot to go back.

With regards to ergonomics, I have found that using a columnar keyboard is definitely better for my hands. It feels odd at first, switching from a traditional staggered layout to a columnar layout, but when you get used to it, you really are moving your hands a lot less, which is better, apparently.

Additionally, the way you set up your keyboard layers is the key to your own personal ergonomics, which this is something that traditional non-customisable keyboards just can’t provide. When setting up your layers, try out the configurations and key combinations to make sure that you’re not putting strain on your hands. If you find them difficult to access, or if they cause pain, switch them up.

Customisable keyboards geared towards ergonomics can also get you out of bad habits. One of the things I noticed is that on a traditional keyboard, I used to press Right Shift plus {}, which gave me a kind of claw hand many times a day. The way I have set this keyboard up forces me to press Left Shift + } and Right Shift +{, which means I don’t code with claw hands. With that being said, this is still very awkward when coding, so I should really use my symbol layer.

This is a great keyboard. Check it out on the official Dygma website: Dygma Defy keyboard.