It’s finally here.
On September 17, 2026, Mode Designs began accepting pre-orders for “Prologue,” a custom keyboard featuring a 98% layout.
The base kit starts at $349. It features a layout that is narrower than a standard full-size keyboard while retaining the numeric keypad and function keys.
Featuring the newly developed “Crown Mounting System,” a CNC-machined aluminum case, and stainless steel weights, this product is designed with work and creative activities in mind—a departure from the compact keyboards that have been Mode Designs’ main focus to date.
Sales Information for Mode Prologue
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Mode Prologue |
| Layout | 98% |
| Sales Format | pre-order |
| Price | Starting at $349 |
| Product Format | Build-It-Yourself Kit |
| PCB | hot swap |
| Connection | USB Type-C Wired Connection |
| Supported OS | macOS / Windows / Linux |
| firmware | QMK/VIA Compatible |
| Color Scheme | 6 types |
| Shipping Schedule | Be sure to check the schedule displayed when placing your order. |
On the product page, you can select the case edition, plate, key switches, stabilizers, and keycaps before placing your order.
Base kits start at $349
The lowest price for Prologue is $349.
In the standard configuration, you can choose the Black Sesame edition, a hot-swappable PCB, and a Linen Micarta plate.
The main options that incur additional charges are as follows:
| option | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Golden Beige Edition | $10 |
| Aluminum Plate | $5 |
| Carbon Fiber Plate | $10 |
| Obscura Linear Switch | $74 |
| Mode Stabilizers | $15 |
| Mode Keycaps | $59.99 each |
As of the time of writing, the Switch’s “Tomorrow Tactile” and “Anthracite Silent Tactile” models are listed as sold out.
If you choose to use Mode products for all your switches, keycaps, and stabilizers, the total price will be higher than that of the base kit, depending on your selections.
A build-it-yourself kit that does not include switches or keycaps
Prologue is not a finished product, but a keyboard kit that buyers assemble themselves.
The base kit includes the following parts.
- keyboard chassis
- PCBs and Daughter Boards
- Assembly Tools
- Microsuede Bag
- Crown Mounting System
- Feet
- Screws and Fasteners
However, the following parts are not included in the base kit.
- Key switch
- keycaps
- stabilizer
The PCB is designed for hot-swappable MX-style key switches.
No soldering is required, but you’ll need to add the three types of parts listed above to complete the project.
When placing an order, you can either add Mode products or use parts you already have.
Six different editions are available
The Prologue series is available in six different editions, each featuring different materials and color schemes.
| edition | Main Components |
|---|---|
| Black Sesame | Charcoal/black aluminum case, black aluminum accents |
| Classic Oak | Silver aluminum case with white oak accents |
| Golden Beige | A design centered around a beige-toned aluminum case |
| Dark Mushroom | Mushroom/Charcoal aluminum case with walnut accents |
| Blue Mocha | Orion Blue/Mocha aluminum case with walnut accents |
| Mushroom Forest | Forest/Mushroom aluminum case with mocha-colored aluminum accents |
The Classic Oak, Dark Mushroom, and Blue Mocha models feature aluminum cases accented with natural wood.
The back accent is removable.
Mode Designs has stated that it will be adding seasonal accent pieces in the future.
Features the newly developed Crown Mounting System
One of the key features of Prologue is the newly developed “Crown Mounting System.”
Secure the internal assembly—which consists of a plate and a PCB—to the case at eight support points.
Each support point consists of the following components.
| Parts | Role |
|---|---|
| Crown Fastener | Secure it to the top case to stabilize the compressed state |
| Wave Spring | Generating Rebound at a Low Height |
| Silicone Spool | Holds the spring in place and reduces vibrations transmitted to the case |
| Bushing | Guides movement in a specific direction and minimizes snagging and unusual noises |
This mechanism combines springs and dampers with a standard top-mount design to isolate internal vibrations from the case.
Mode Designs explains that it aimed for moderate springiness, a controlled keystroke feel, and a clear keystroke sound.
It reportedly took about 12 months to develop the Crown Mounting System, during which time dozens of prototypes were created.
Additionally, if you prefer a firmer, more traditional keystroke feel, you can also secure it using the top-mount bolts sold separately.
Choose from 3 types of plates
You can choose from three types of keycaps, each with a different keystroke feel and sound.
| plate (often as in “tectonic plate”) | Positioning by Mode Designs |
|---|---|
| Linen Micarta | The softest, most subdued keystroke sound |
| aluminum (Al) | The balance between the key feel and the sound produced when typing is neutral. |
| Carbon Fiber | Slightly firm, with a bright sound when played |
The standard configuration is Linen Micarta.
Linen Micarta is a material made by impregnating linen fabric with resin and laminating the layers.
In “Prologue,” it has been adopted as an option to create a softer key feel and a more subdued key sound.
Full-size features packed into a compact body
Prologue features a 98% layout with a numeric keypad, function keys, arrow keys, and navigation keys.
In the video, Mode Designs explains that it has “packed 98 percent of the keys found on a standard keyboard into a footprint that is 85 percent the size of a full-size keyboard.”
While the company has traditionally focused on compact keyboards—such as 65% and 75% layouts—the Prologue is primarily aimed at professionals and creators who use the numeric keypad and function keys on a daily basis.
It’s designed to be easy to use even for tasks where it’s difficult to minimize the number of keystrokes—such as spreadsheets, data entry, coding, video editing, and timeline manipulation.
Key Specifications of Prologue
| Item | (technical) specification |
|---|---|
| Layout | 98% |
| Case Material | CNC-Machined Aluminum |
| Accent material | Aluminum / White Oak / Walnut |
| weight | Stainless steel |
| mount(ing) system | Crown Mounting System |
| PCB | MX Style Hot Swap |
| Connection | USB Type-C Wired |
| Internal Connector | Magnetic Pogo Pins |
| firmware | QMK / VIA |
| Supported OS | macOS / Windows / Linux |
| Typing angle | 6.5 degrees |
| Angle of View | 7° |
| Front Height | 18.8mm |
| Width | 398mm |
| depth | 143mm |
| Assembled Weight | Approximately 2.40–2.54 kg |
| plate (often as in “tectonic plate”) | Linen Micarta / Aluminum / Carbon Fiber |
Magnetic pogo pins are used to connect to the internal daughter board.
It also features spike-shaped feet inspired by audio equipment, designed to minimize vibrations and noise transmitted to the desk.
Balancing “Work Tools” and “Objects Placed in a Space”
In its official video, Mode Designs explains that while digital devices constantly demand our attention, the keyboards we use every day should be “well-crafted tools” that blend naturally into their surroundings.
In the Prologue, we combined a boxy silhouette with rounded corners, sharp chamfers, curved surfaces, grooves, and seams.
By combining different materials—aluminum, natural wood, and stainless steel—we aim to create a design that, despite being a large keyboard, looks unobtrusive on a desk.
Rather than simply being a Mode product with a numeric keypad added, it seems fair to say this is a product that has been redesigned as a tool for long-term keyboard use, while retaining the keys necessary for work.
Mode Prologue Official Introduction Video
Summary
That concludes our report on the news that pre-orders for Mode Designs Prologue have begun.
With a starting price of $349, it’s on the expensive side for a keyboard.
As the editorial team, we feel that this is one of the new values of the keyboard.
Mode Designs, which has traditionally focused on compact layouts, has now created a multi-key layout designed with professional use in mind. How did they pull it off?
Prologue looks like it will be an excellent opportunity to get a sense of “how it’s defined not just as a device for typing on a keyboard, but as a part of daily life and a part of our living space.”
This product is likely to attract a lot of attention from people looking for custom keyboards with large layouts.
- Originally published:
- Last updated:
- Source: Manufacturer’s official press release and official Discord posts
- References/Citations:
- Conflicts of Interest: Product Offering: None Monetization Link in this paper: Yes
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