PH60 Slim Choc Mechanical Keyboard

📖 Introduction

PH60Slim-Choc is a 60% ANSI layout low-profile keyboard kit. The package includes:

Item	Quantity	Notes
Case	1	Pre-assembled
PCB	1	Pre-installed in case
Stabilizers	5	4×1.5u + 1×6.25u
2m USB-A to C Cable	1

Although most components are pre-assembled at the factory, the PH60Slim-Choc kit still requires users to install some parts for proper use.

🛠️ Assembly Instructions

Additional Components Required

The basic hardware of PH60Slim-Choc is already assembled. Users need the following parts to complete the keyboard assembly:

Item	Quantity	Notes
Kailh Choc Switches	61	PCB does not support standard MX switches
Low-Profile Keycaps	61	Using standard height keycaps may scrape switches

1. Installing Stabilizers

Take a 1.5u (shorter) stabilizer and thread the wire through the plate opening for the left Shift with the wire facing toward you. When the front of the stabilizer catches on the plate, press down the rear to snap the entire stabilizer in place. Use the same method to install stabilizers for Spacebar (longer), Backspace, Enter, and Right Shift. After installation, stabilizer housings and wires should move smoothly without deformation.

tip

New batches of Slim-Choc keyboards ship with stabilizers pre-installed.

2. Lubricating Stabilizers

Slim-Choc's structural design and stabilizers differ from standard products, so lubrication is required for the best experience. In addition to applying lubricant to pivot points and stems, the middle section of the wire also needs a small amount of lubricant to reduce friction between the wire and the plate/PCB.

tip

New batches of Slim-Choc keyboards ship with stabilizers pre-lubricated.

3. Installing Switches

Slim-Choc can only use Kailh Choc switches. Forcing MX switches may cause irreversible damage to the PCB. Pay attention to pin orientation when installing switches:

• All keys requiring stabilizers: Pins facing right
• All other positions: Pins facing up

Incorrect installation orientation may bend pins or damage hot-swap sockets. Please be careful during installation.

warning

⚠️ Please pay attention to pin orientation, or you may damage LEDs and sockets!

4. Installing Keycaps

Install keycaps from left to right. When installing larger keycaps, press each keycap stem completely down to the switch and stabilizer base to prevent key bounce.

When installing 3D printed keycaps, some larger keys may require manual sanding to fit the keycap stem inner wall dimensions. When removing keycaps, apply force vertically to the switch stem. 3D printed parts have lower Z-axis strength and may cause the keycap stem to break inside the switch.

Reference Resources

For detailed assembly videos and tutorials, please refer to:

• GitHub repository: ph-design/PH60
• MakerWorld product page: PH60slim_choc
• Bilibili video: Assembly Tutorial

🎯 Custom Key Mapping

Slim-Choc uses QMK Firmware and supports web-based key remapping through VIA.

Using VIA for Remapping

1. Connect keyboard to computer
2. Visit via.phdesign.cc with your browser
3. Authorize browser HID permissions
4. Select PH60Slim-Choc in the popup window
5. Once connected, you can modify key mappings and lighting effects

tip

VIA remapping doesn't require firmware flashing; changes take effect immediately and are saved in the keyboard.

🔄 Flashing Firmware

We continuously bring feature updates and stability improvements to Slim-Choc.

Firmware Download

The latest firmware can be obtained from:

• GitHub Releases - Recommended for latest version
• QQ Group Files - Also synchronized with updates

Flashing Steps

1. Enter Bootloader Mode:

   • Unplug the cable
   • Hold the top-left key (usually ESC or ~)
   • While holding, plug in the cable
   • Computer will recognize a drive named RPI-RP2

2. Flash Firmware:

   • Drag the downloaded .uf2 firmware file into the RPI-RP2 drive
   • Firmware will flash automatically; keyboard will restart after completion

3. Factory Reset Mode (Optional):

   • If keyboard cannot enter Bootloader mode for any reason
   • There is a BOOT hole under the spacebar
   • Short this hole with any conductive object to enter bootloader mode

warning

Firmware updates will restore factory settings. Be sure to backup your current settings using VIA before flashing!

Self-Compiling Firmware

If you need custom firmware, you can compile it yourself:

# Clone ph-design/qmk_firmware repository and point QMK_HOME to it
qmk setup -H <path-to-ph-design_qmk_firmware>

# Compile VIA firmware
qmk compile -kb phdesign/ph60slim_choc -km via

# After compilation, firmware file is in the .build directory

⌨️ Key Mapping

60% ANSI Layout

PH60SC Default Layout

~`

!1

@2

#3

$4

%5

^6

&7

*8

(9

)0

_-

+=

BKSP

DEL

Tab

Q

W

E

R

T

Y

U

I

O

P

{[

}]

|\

CapsLK

A

S

D

F

G

H

J

K

L

:;

"'

ENT

LSFT

Z

X

C

V

B

N

M

<,

>.

?/

RSFT

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

FN

Ctrl

PH60SC FN Layer Layout

`

F1

F2

F3

F4

F5

F6

F7

F8

F9

F10

F11

F12

DEL

△

△

△

↑

△

△

△

△

△

Ins

△

PrtSc

ScrLk

Pause

△

△

←

↓

→

△

△

△

△

△

△

Home

PgUp

△

△

△

△

△

△

△

Vol-

Vol+

Mute

End

PgDn

△

△

Win🔒

△

Space

△

△

△

△

info

Key mapping can be customized through VIA without re-flashing firmware.

❓ FAQ

🔧 Hardware Related

Q: What switches does PH60 support?

A: Only supports Kailh Choc low-profile switches V1/V2. Does not support any MX pin switches. Forcing MX switches will cause irreversible damage to the PCB.

Q: What keycaps does the keyboard support?

A: Most low-profile keycaps work. However, note that using standard height keycaps may scrape switches, affecting user experience.

Q: What if keycaps don't return smoothly after installation?

A: When installing larger keycaps, press each keycap stem completely down to the switch and stabilizer base. If still not smooth, you may need to lubricate stabilizers.

Q: Can't install 3D printed keycap stems?

A: Some larger keys may require manual sanding to fit the keycap stem inner wall dimensions. Use sandpaper or a file to sand carefully.

Q: What if keycap stem breaks when pulling keycaps?

A: 3D printed parts have lower Z-axis strength. When pulling keycaps, apply force vertically to the switch stem. If the stem breaks inside the switch, carefully remove it with tweezers.

💡 Lighting Related

Q: My RGB lighting looks unstable?

A: Avoid hand-soldering RGB LEDs if possible. If you don't have SMT capabilities, gently flex the PCB after soldering to check for cold solder joints on LEDs - this requires patience.

Q: RGB lighting at maximum brightness causes keyboard to fail to start?

A: Yes, we added a resettable fuse for stability. If compiling your own firmware, limit maximum brightness to around 80%, or short the fuse pads (not recommended).

Q: Can't find lighting settings in VIA?

A: Ensure you're using VIA firmware and connecting through via.phdesign.cc. Lighting settings are in the "LIGHTING" tab.

🔄 Firmware Related

Q: How to enter Bootloader mode to flash firmware?

A: Unplug the cable, hold the top-left key (usually ESC or ~), then plug in the cable. Computer will recognize a drive named RPI-RP2.

Q: What if keyboard cannot enter Bootloader mode?

A: There is a BOOT hole under the spacebar. Short this hole with any conductive object (like tweezers or paperclip) to force bootloader mode.

Q: Will my settings be lost after flashing firmware?

A: Yes, firmware updates restore factory settings. Be sure to backup your current settings using VIA before flashing.

Q: Why not submit code to official QMK?

A: This actually costs us too much mental energy. PH60SC was a spontaneous creation that happened to fill a gap in the low-profile market. Our actual development team is only three people, each trying to do full-stack work, and we have limited energy to maintain this project. Thank you for understanding.

Q: Is Vial firmware supported?

A: It's on the TODO list. Yes, we find Vial more user-friendly and better suited to user needs. Maybe someday we'll implement it.

🛒 Purchase Related

Q: Where can I purchase PH60Slim-Choc?

A: Currently available through our Taobao Store. DIY enthusiasts can also download 3D printing files from MakerWorld to make their own.

Q: What does the kit include?

A: Kit includes: Pre-assembled case + PCB, stabilizers ×5 (new batches pre-installed and lubricated), 2m USB-A to C cable. Switches and keycaps must be purchased separately.

Q: Does it require soldering?

A: No! PH60Slim-Choc uses hot-swap sockets; simply insert switches without any soldering work.

📚 Get Help

If the above FAQ doesn't resolve your issue, please get technical support through:

• GitHub Issues: ph-design/PH60Slim-Choc
• QQ Group: Click to Join
• Discord: ph-design Community

💬 Contact Us

Channel	Link	Description
QQ Group	Click to Join	Technical support and usage discussions
GitHub	ph-design/PH60Slim-Choc	Source code, firmware downloads, issue reporting
Taobao Store	PH Design Official Store	Purchase finished kits
Bilibili	Assembly Tutorial Video	Watch detailed assembly video
MakerWorld	3D Print Files	Download case and keycap models
Official Website	phdesign.cc	Learn more about PH Design products

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🎉 Acknowledgments

Thank you for your support! PH60Slim-Choc is the work of a small team's dedication, and we hope it brings more choices to low-profile keyboard enthusiasts. If you have any suggestions or feedback during use, please contact us through the channels above.

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Last Updated: October 2025