# Adafruit NeoKey BFF ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/118/502/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_5695-00_1.jpg?1676402068) Our QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now we have a way for you to quickly add a nice mechanical key that also can glow any color of the rainbow. We call this the **Adafruit NeoKey BFF** - a "Best Friend Forever". When you were a kid you may have learned about the "buddy" system, well this product is kinda like that! A board that will watch your QT Py's back and give it more capabilities. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/123/271/medium800/components_5695-05.jpg?1691029177) This PCB is designed to fit onto the back of any QT Py or Xiao board; it can be soldered into place or use pin and socket headers to make it removable. Onboard is a Kailh socket, which means you can plug in any MX-compatible switch instead of soldering it in. You may need a little glue to keep the switch in place: hot glue or a dot of epoxy worked fine for us. The board also comes with a single reverse-mount NeoPixel pointing up through the spot where many switches would have an LED to shine through. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/118/547/medium800/components_edited_P1400026.jpg?1676478176) We include some header that you can solder to your QT Py. [You can also pick up an ItsyBitsy short female header kit to make it removable but compact](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4174); you'll just need to trim down the headers to 7 pins long. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/123/272/medium800/components_5695-03.jpg?1691029147) The key-switch is default connected to **A2** and the NeoPixel to **A3**  but there are onboard jumpers you can cut to re-configure if you desire. **QT Py is not included**. **Please note, each order comes with one assembled PCB and break-off header**. A mechanical switch and key cap are not included! Use any MX-compatible switch: Kailh, Gateron, etc all work! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neokey-bff/pinouts.md) ## Primary Products ### Adafruit NeoKey BFF for Mechanical Key Add-On for QT Py and Xiao [Adafruit NeoKey BFF for Mechanical Key Add-On for QT Py and Xiao](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5695) Our QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now we have a way for you to quickly add a nice mechanical key that also can glow any color of the rainbow.  We call this the **Adafruit NeoKey BFF** - a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5695) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5695/guides) ## Featured Products ### 20-pin 0.1" Female Headers - Rainbow Color Mix - 5 pack [20-pin 0.1" Female Headers - Rainbow Color Mix - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4160) Female header is like the duct tape of electronics. It's great for connecting things together, soldering to perf-boards, sockets for wires or break-away header, etc. We go through these real fast, and thought that given how handy they are, we'd offer them in a pack of five! Each... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4160) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4160/guides) ### Break-away 0.1" 36-pin strip male headers in Various Colors [Break-away 0.1" 36-pin strip male headers in Various Colors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4235) In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except we need headers, headers, and _more headers_! Each pack contains ten **36-pin 0.1" pitch break-away male headers.** We gave these in bags of 10, in **classic black** as well as... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4235) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4235/guides) ### Kailh Mechanical Key Switch - Clicky Blue - Single Piece [Kailh Mechanical Key Switch - Clicky Blue - Single Piece](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5123) For crafting your very own custom keyboard, a ** Kailh Blue Linear mechanical key switches**  is deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a **clicky tactile** keystroke with a snappy feel and an... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5123) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5123/guides) ### Kailh Mechanical Key Switch - Linear Black - Single Piece [Kailh Mechanical Key Switch - Linear Black - Single Piece](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5124) For crafting your very own custom keyboard, a ** Kailh Black Linear mechanical key switch**  is deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a **linear tactile** keystroke with a snappy feel and an... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5124) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5124/guides) ### Adafruit Etched R4 Keycap for MX Compatible Switches [Adafruit Etched R4 Keycap for MX Compatible Switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5094) Keep your 'fruit close at hand with a super-classy, custom-made **Etched Adafruit Keycap**. It's made with a translucent/opaque plastic that is etched to create an elegant glow-through effect. Perfect to show your hacker/maker cred on your next mechanical keyboard... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5094) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5094/guides) ## Related Guides - [One Key: Single Button Bluetooth Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/onekey.md) - [Building CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/building-circuitpython.md) - [Adafruit PiCowbell Adalogger for Pico](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-picowbell-adalogger-for-pico.md) - [Adafruit QT Py RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-py-2040.md) - [HalloWing Lightsabers](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-lightsaber.md) - [Three Button Foot Switch](https://learn.adafruit.com/three-button-foot-switch.md) - [Adafruit Pi Stemma QT Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pi-stemma-qt-breakout.md) - [Adafruit UPDI Friend](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-updi-friend.md) - [CircuitPython Turtle Graphics](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-turtle-graphics.md) - [QT Py Heart Shaped NeoPixel PCB](https://learn.adafruit.com/qtpy-heart-pcb.md) - [Adafruit TCA4307 Hot-Swap I2C Buffer](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-tca4307.md) - [Adafruit LSM6DS3TR-C + LIS3MDL - Precision 9 DoF IMU](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-lsm6ds3tr-c-lis3mdl-precision-9-dof-imu.md) - [Adafruit LPS28 Pressure Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-lps28-pressure-sensor.md) - [Adafruit ADS122C04 24-Bit ADC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-ads122c04-24-bit-adc.md) - [NES Cart RetroPie Game Console](https://learn.adafruit.com/nes-cart-retropie.md)