# Customizing your keymap with VIA

VIA is a powerful tool widely used within the mechanical keyboard community, so understanding how to use it is essential. VIA can help you ensure that all of the keys on your custom keyboard are functioning properly, as well as assist you in changing the keymap to your desired configuration. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, learning how to use VIA is a valuable skill to have.

After reading this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of VIA and changing keymaps on your keyboards. Let's get started!

## Downloading VIA

First of all, you will need to download the VIA app on your PC. It is not available on [VIA's website](https://www.caniusevia.com/) - you need to download the correct version from [VIA's GitHub](https://github.com/the-via/releases/releases). 

{% hint style="info" %}
Now you can go through this process without downloading the program, VIA has a web app, which can be found [here](https://usevia.app/). 
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/dSCvBfFEHe2MjTpJA1Ge" alt=""><figcaption><p>VIA's GitHub Page </p></figcaption></figure>

If you are new to GitHub, the process may seem intimidating at first. However, once you get the hang of it, you'll find that it is actually quite simple to use.&#x20;

To get the latest version of the software, locate the file that corresponds to your operating system and download it. For example, if you are using Windows, the file you need to download at the time of creating this guide is "via-2.0.5-win.exe".

## Changing the keymap on your keyboard

### Prepare the app

After downloading the file and installing the app on your computer, open the app and navigate to the settings. From there, enable the "show design tab" option.

<figure><img src="/files/5jgsaEvSvMK4YzsMeAdI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Accessing the keymap editor in VIA

To begin the process, first connect your keyboard to your computer. Once connected, open the design tab (which you should have previously enabled in the app's settings). From there, you can either drag and drop the correct file into the app, or click the "Load" button and select the correct file from your file browser.&#x20;

When using a cantor remix, please <mark style="color:purple;">**turn on the "Use v2 definitions" setting!**</mark>

{% hint style="info" %}
For your convenience, all of the keyboards available in our shop have the necessary firmware files listed in the "[Firmware](/docs/keyboard-firmware/modified-cantor.md)" tab! Simply select your keyboard model from the available options and download the VIA firmware file that corresponds to it.
{% endhint %}

### Final step

Upon successfully completing these steps, you will gain access to your keyboard's layout within the "configure" tab. Within this tab, you'll have the flexibility to personalize and modify all the keys according to your preferences. Simply click on a key in the keyboard image that you wish to reassign, and then select the desired key for the assignment. For guidance on working with layers and special keycodes, please refer to [this article](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/keycodes.md).

<figure><img src="/files/QjNu6fMlbEksqeia4bYx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

I hope this article has been helpful to you! If you have any questions or if anything is not clear enough, please do not hesitate to reach out to me for further assistance :)

{% content-ref url="/pages/UNVuE9XjXXNFx6UZBeWq" %}
[Contact](/docs/info-and-help/contact.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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