> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.minimalmacropad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MinimalPad Firmware and Studio: What Each One Does

> Learn when to use MinimalPad Studio for everyday key changes and when you actually need to rebuild and reflash the firmware from source.

MinimalPad has two distinct layers of software that work together: the **firmware** running on the device itself, and **MinimalPad Studio**, the browser-based configurator. Understanding what each one does helps you choose the right tool for any task — and means most users never need to touch the firmware at all.

## The Firmware

The firmware is the base software flashed onto MinimalPad's nRF52840 microcontroller. It does the heavy lifting: it drives the keys, encoder, RGB underglow, Bluetooth radio, and USB connection. It also establishes the communication channel that Studio uses to read and write your configuration.

Beyond hardware support, the firmware defines certain behaviors that cannot be changed from the browser:

* **Encoder rotation** — what happens when you turn the encoder clockwise or counter-clockwise is set in `sensor-bindings` in the keymap source and compiled into the firmware.
* **Firmware macros** — multi-step sequences defined directly in the keymap file.
* **Default boot behavior** — which layer loads on startup.

The firmware you want is the **`minimalpad_with_studio`** build. This is the variant that includes the Studio communication layer. Without it, Studio cannot connect to your device.

## MinimalPad Studio

[MinimalPad Studio](https://studio.minimalmacropad.com/) is a browser-based configurator that connects to your MinimalPad over USB or Bluetooth and lets you change key assignments, manage layers, and control RGB lighting — all without reflashing.

Studio reads your current configuration directly from the device and writes changes back in real time. When you assign a key, the change takes effect immediately. Saving writes it to the device's flash memory so it persists across power cycles.

<Tip>
  Most users only ever need Studio. Rebuild the firmware only when you need to change encoder rotation, create firmware macros, or recover a device.
</Tip>

## When to Use Each

| Task                             | Use Studio | Rebuild Firmware |
| -------------------------------- | :--------: | :--------------: |
| Change what a key does           |      ✓     |         —        |
| Add or remove a layer            |      ✓     |         —        |
| Rename a layer                   |      ✓     |         —        |
| Assign Bluetooth profile actions |      ✓     |         —        |
| Assign RGB lighting actions      |      ✓     |         —        |
| Change encoder rotation          |      —     |         ✓        |
| Create or edit a firmware macro  |      —     |         ✓        |
| Change default boot behavior     |      —     |         ✓        |
| Recover from broken firmware     |      —     |         ✓        |

## Next Steps

If you need to flash or update the firmware, see [Install the MinimalPad Studio Firmware](/firmware/install-base-firmware).

If you want to edit firmware source files — for encoder rotation, macros, or other advanced changes — see [Advanced: Customize MinimalPad Firmware](/firmware/advanced-customization).