What is VIA and how do I install it?

VIA is one of the most prominent tools for freely modifying keyboard firmware using QMK Toolbox, a modification tool for QMK-supported keyboard firmware.

VIA is a program designed for programming mechanical keyboards according to user preferences and offers various settings for keyboard layout, lighting, key swapping, and more. It is compatible with keyboards using QMK firmware, allowing users to intuitively and easily customize settings to create their own personalized keyboards.

To install the desired VIA firmware from the Pulsar keyboard resource center, follow these steps:

https://www.pulsar.gg/pages/download

Caution

•  XBOARD QS keyboards support three types of firmware.

•  Please install and use only one firmware corresponding to the program you wish to use.

•  Using multiple firmware corresponding programs simultaneously may result in key malfunctions and conflicts.

•  When using VIA or Remap, please make sure to close SignalRGB program completely (including background processes) before usage.

•  To use VIA, you need to download and install the corresponding .json file. Follow the installation steps below.

1. Connect your keyboard and run VIA by clicking on [https://usevia.app/#/]. (*Using VIA is recommended with the Chrome browser.)

2. Click on the [Settings] tab in the top icon menu and activate the [Show Design tab] menu.

3. Select the [DESIGN] tab from the top icon menu and click [Load] on the screen. 

4.  Select the *.JSON file from the folder where you downloaded the firmware.

5.  Select "Configure" to complete the installation of the *.JSON file. It will be displayed as shown in the image below.

6.  Select the [Keyboard] tab from the top icon menu and click the [Authorize device+] button.

7.  When the pop-up window appears, select [Pulsar XBOARD QS] and connect.

8.  Once the connection is successfully completed, it will be displayed as "[Pulsar XBOARD QS - Paired]" and the Xboard QS Layer image will appear as shown below. You have now completed all the installation steps for using VIA. (*The JSON file needs to be registered only once during the initial installation. If connecting to another PC, the JSON file needs to be registered again.)

Please refer to the VIA manual instructional video here: https://www.caniusevia.com/docs/whats_new