Introduction

If you’ve ever wished your keyboard could work a little better for you, learning how to use VIA is a great place to start.

So what is VIA on a keyboard? Built on top of QMK, it’s a visual configuration tool that lets you customize your mechanical keyboard without coding or flashing firmware. Tasks like remapping keys, creating macros, and managing layers become quick and intuitive—perfect for office work, studying, or programming.

This beginner-friendly guide walks you through getting started with VIA on RK keyboards that support VIA . You’ll learn how to download the software, connect your keyboard, and make practical customizations, including key remaps, useful macros, and basic lighting adjustments. No prior experience is needed—just clear steps and real-world examples to help you personalize your setup with confidence.

 

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What You Need
• Download & Connect Your Keyboard
• How to Remap a Key on VIA?
• How to Create a Macro on VIA?
• How to Customize Your Keyboard Lighting?

What You Need

To get started with VIA, you’ll need:

A VIA-compatible keyboard – For example, RK’s R65 and R75 series.

The VIA software – Run it online at usevia.app, no download needed.

Your keyboard’s JSON file – Defines your layout and functions.

⚠️Tip: Every keyboard has its own JSON file. This guide focuses on RK keyboards that support VIA, so make sure you use the correct JSON for your model.

Download & Connect Your Keyboard

1. Download the correct JSON file
Get the JSON file for your RK keyboard model from the RK Software page. Make sure to pick the version that matches your system (Windows or macOS) so VIA can recognize your keyboard correctly.

2. Open VIA in your browser
Visit VIA in a Chromium-based browser like Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Opera. In VIA’s Settings tab, enable the Design option to allow custom keyboard files. Make sure your keyboard is in wired mode, as VIA can only detect the keyboard when it’s connected via USB.

3. Upload your JSON file
Go to the Design tab and upload the JSON file. VIA will now know your keyboard layout and available functions.

4. Authorize your keyboard
In the Configure tab, click “Authorize device+” and select your RK keyboard in the pop-up window. Once authorized, VIA is ready for key remapping, macros, and lighting adjustments.

 

5. Get familiar with the VIA layout
Once VIA recognizes your keyboard, you’ll see the page layout: the upper left corner shows multiple layers, each of which can be assigned different key functions. The upper half of the page displays the currently active key layout, while the lower half contains various custom functions that you can select and assign to keys.

Remap Keys: Make Your Keyboard Work for You

Remapping keys means changing what a key does. For example, you can make the A key act as the Home key, or turn Caps Lock into Escape. It’s a simple way to make your keyboard fit your workflow or gaming habits.

How to Remap Keys in VIA?

1. Go to the Configure tab and select the KEYMAP section.

2. Click the key you want to remap on the keyboard layout at the top of the page. For example, select the A key. It will start flashing slowly.

3. In the BASIC / MEDIA / MACRO / LAYERS / SPECIAL / QMK LIGHTING / CUSTOM section below, choose the function you want to assign. For example, select Home to make the A key act as the Home key. Your key is now remapped instantly.

Popular Remap Suggestions

Here are some common and practical remap ideas to get you started:

• Office / Study: Map Copy, Paste, Undo, or media controls to easily reachable keys for faster workflow.
• Programming: Move Escape to the Caps Lock key or assign frequently used symbols/macros to convenient keys.
• Gaming: Assign commonly used abilities, jump, or weapon switches to accessible keys, or use a Fn layer for extra functionality.
• 75% Keyboard Full-Size Feel (R75 Example): Even with a compact layout, you can simulate a full-size experience by assigning Home, End, Page Up/Down to a secondary layer, mapping Fn + arrow keys to navigation functions, or setting up macro keys for frequently used shortcuts like Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V.

By starting with the keys you use most often, you can create a setup that’s comfortable and efficient, whether you’re typing, coding, or gaming.

Create Macros: Automate Repetitive Tasks

Macros let you record a sequence of keys or commands and assign them to a single key. For example, on Windows you could create a macro to capture a screenshot with Win+Shift+S, or to copy and paste text with Ctrl+C → Ctrl+V → Enter. Macros make repetitive tasks, complex shortcuts, or gaming combos much easier.

How to Create a Macro in VIA?

1. Go to the Configure tab and select MACRO.

2. In the macro recording area (M0–M15), choose a slot to create a new macro.

3. Record your macro using one of two methods:

• Manual entry: Go to QMK Keycodes, find the key codes you want, copy the aliases, and paste them into VIA.
• Fullscreen record: Click FullScreen then Record Keystrokes and perform the sequence on your keyboard. For example, you could record Ctrl+C → Ctrl+V → Enter for a quick copy-paste action.

4. Click Stop, then Save Key.

5. Assign the macro to a key in the KEYMAP section—for example, you could assign this copy-paste macro to the Esc key for easy access.

Popular Macro Ideas

Here are some practical macro ideas that many users find helpful:

• Office / Study: Quick copy-paste sequences (Ctrl+C → Ctrl+V → Enter), multiple screenshot shortcuts (Win+Shift+S → Enter), typing frequently used phrases, email signatures, or URLs
• Programming: Insert commonly used code snippets, run repetitive shortcuts like building or compiling commands
• Gaming: Ability combos (press multiple keys in sequence with one button), quick inventory or skill rotations

Customize Lighting: Make Your Keyboard Shine

In VIA, you can easily control your keyboard lighting:

• On/Off: Toggle lights anytime.
• Brightness: Adjust the intensity to suit your environment.
• Effects: Choose from 45 different lighting effects, including static, breathing, wave, ripple, reactive, and more.
• Speed & Color: Customize animation speed and pick your favorite colors.

Just go to the Configure tab → QMK LIGHTING to access all these options. With a few clicks, you can make your RK keyboard look exactly how you want—whether it’s clean and simple for work or dynamic for gaming.