# tenderlove/initial-v

It's a BMW shifter converted to a Bluetooth Keyboard that you use with Vim

Repository: https://github.com/tenderlove/initial-v
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/initial-v
Language: C++
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Topics: bluetooth, esp32, vim, initial-v
Last push: 2023-10-01T18:55:22+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 31/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 0, release rhythm 35, longevity 92
- inputs: {"age_days": 1297, "days_push": 1067, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_releases
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1034, forks 12 (observed 2026-08-28T04:03:18.638762+00:00)

## What it is
Initial V converts a BMW gear shifter into a Bluetooth keyboard specialized for controlling Vim, using an ESP32-based PCB that communicates with the shifter over CAN bus. The repo includes PCB schematics, 3D-printable housing files, a Vim plugin, and client software for state synchronization.

## Use cases
- turn a BMW gear shifter into a Vim controller
- build a custom Bluetooth HID input device with ESP32
- control Vim modes with a physical gear lever
- learn CAN bus communication with ESP32
- print and assemble a custom housing for a hardware project

## When to choose
- you want a fun, over-engineered Vim clutch-style hardware input device
- you're comfortable soldering, flashing ESP32 firmware, and assembling hardware
- you want reference designs for ESP32 Bluetooth HID plus CAN bus integration

## When to avoid
- you need a practical, ergonomic everyday Vim input device
- you don't have access to a BMW gear shifter or willingness to fabricate a PCB
- you want a polished, supported product rather than a hobbyist project

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: embedded, plugin-system, developer-tools
- domain: hardware, developer-tools, text-editors
- platform: embedded, iot, cross-platform
- tags: bluetooth-keyboard, bmw-shifter, vim-plugin, can-bus, esp32, diy-hardware, novelty-input-device, hardware, automation, vim

## Member repositories
- tenderlove/initial-v (main) score 31

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:18.638762+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T07:06:36.273944+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/tenderlove/initial-v (fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:18.638762+00:00, sha aec277b8c473)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.