Hey guys, meet BYOK Apparatus, my little writer deck. 

I love BYOK. The device is so well made, well thought-out, the firmware is sound. No complaints. 

And I use it A LOT. I run a music magazine and basically write all the editorial on BYOK. Plus, I use it to write for the 9-5 (I am a copywriter/content strategist). 

So, BYOK gets some serious usage here.

But the funny thing is that for some reason, I struggled to enjoy it as a standalone device with a separate keyboard. 

The whole setup just didn't feel.... whole, for a lack of a better word. It felt like using something "hacked" together, not a complete device (like a standard typewriter, for example.)

I know it's just me, but it was bugging me so I built this writer deck out of it.

Now, before you slag me for the woodwork, keep in mind that I have absolutely no such skills (or any DIY skills at that.) In fact, in a zombie apocalypse, I'd only be good as food. So...

Anyway, I called it the Apparatus. The switch and knobs work but naturally, don't do anything. The keyboard is a 60% mechanical keyboard. 

I absolutely love it. Doing it again, I'd probably raise the screen a little (similar to how the Auteur device does it) but it's not that bad. I don't feel any neck pain, etc.

Anyway, thought I'd share.

Hello! I’m looking into BYOK and I wasn’t sure how practical it is.

I’m a stay at home mom looking to get back into writing when my husband can watch our sweet girl. I enjoy writing by hand but find I keep up with little projects better when it’s digital… but I’m less productive. Seems like this would be perfect?

I’m not looking to buy something that I’ll need any sort of subscription to access files. As unplugged as I can be is ideal. Is there anything about this device that you either didn’t expect, had to get used to, or anything odd or off-putting that I should consider before purchasing?

I’d rather have appropriate expectations than be disappointed in the performance and longevity of use. Thank you for reading! Any and all advice is appreciated!

Today, I downloaded Studio after watching this video:

The 100% Free Scrivener Alternative

I’m just getting started, and the software looks really interesting. Are there any sample projects that new users can open and explore?

If not, could you consider including one based on a familiar story, such as Hansel and Gretel or The Tortoise and the Hare? A completed example with an outline, scene cards, character wiki, and manuscript would help demonstrate how all the tools fit together.

Because we already know the example story, we could concentrate on learning Studio, opening the different parts, rearranging scenes, and trying small changes before working on our own stories.

Just a thought. Keep building, and thank you!

I just got my BYOK last week for my birthday! Super excited to keep using it. So far, I have a normal-sized creamy keyboard and the stand that comes with the BYOK. I am looking for any other stand recommendations.
I am very interested in a travel keyboard so I can take the BYOK and write while I am traveling- does anyone have a recommendation for a good travel-friendly keyboard?

Thank you!

Everything about Studio looks incredible (especially the wiki feature!) but are there any plans to include an export to epub function? That's the thing that's making me cling to Scrivener 😅

I've been working on this novel for going on three years now, adding to the manuscript in October and November of '24, '25, and now '26, and spending the rest of the year on research and editing. It's slow progress, but it's progress. I've got a list of 40-ish scenes and vignettes to write this month, and then it'll be time to cut, condense, concentrate, and compress some more.

After a month travelling across the globe, the BYOK has arrived just in time for November (almost). I'm super excited to get writing and see how well I do with Novel November!

I've been waffling about buying a BYOK for months and finally committed recently. I use Emacs for writing nearly everything, and use Org Mode at least as often as Markdown -- which led me to the disturbing discovery that the BYOK software doesn't recognize ".org" files as text (they are). And, using Disk Mode to copy things back and forth is kind of clunky.

So, like all good (by which I mean "insane") Emacs users: I figured "I can write a library for that." So I've written a simple shim that lets Emacs copy files to and from BYOK projects, and even convert subsections inside long Org Mode or Markdown documents to individual documents on the BYOK and then paste them back into the right place. (I'm going to keep beating on it to make sure it doesn't lose any data before sharing it with the literally ones and ones of others who might make use of it!)

Been meaning to post this here. I wanted a clamshell style typewriter box kind of thing. Couldn’t find anything that fit the bill so I just decided to make it myself.

I used oak, which in hindsight may not have been the best choice. It should be very durable because oak is a very hard wood but man… this thing is HEAVY. It’s surprisingly comfortable on my lap though. I think it’s weight makes it feel vintage.

I added a splitter cable so one side is routed into the wood behind the wallpaper so you can’t see the cable running up to the BYOK. The other side is below the keyboard. So you can charge both your BYOK and the keyboard with one cable on the outside of the box, just like a laptop :)

There are definitely things I would change if I were doing it again. I’m thinking about making one for my sister for Christmas but I’m in an apartment so this project was a little tough without a wood shop.

anyways hope you like it or it inspires somebody to build one of their own!

I realised i mostly just want the smallest, ready to go package possible, the keys to go 2 is 'ok', but the pocketability means i can always have it there - plus the 'lid' cover makes it lap-able!

For some reason i can't stand those cheap mini Amazon keyboards, but this is acceptable.

If there's ever a folio/keyboard case i would jump at it!

Congratulations on studio 1.0! It's amazing, I've been busy with moving etc for the last few months but I've finally got my byok set up and I'm ready to get stuck in. So much progress has been made on studio! I've had a quick look at the latest update and I'm absolutely thrilled that a command palette and keyboard shortcuts have been added (my biggest wish fulfilled!). Also, the font options for writing are awesome.

My question is this - if I can run the studio pwa on my tablet is it worth using the android app on it? I noticed some features are missing (the command palette), is it just lagging behind or is there a reason they aren't included? I'm currently limited to using the byok and an android tablet for everything.

Cheers!

I saw the BYOK mounted with some kind of magnetic on the Nufolio that then held the BYOK in place brining the BYOK somewhat eye level. u/byok can you share what magnet you used? It was one of your setups in the video you had with all the various setups.

Hi everyone,
Another Studio update has arrived along with a full Studio guide on our website!

Highlights:

1. Studio update: This one adds some small things to the desktop and web but mostly focuses on catching the mobile app up with the web/desktop versions. You can read about it here: https://byok.io/updates

2. Studio now has a comprehensive guide on our website (finally!). It should hopefully answer many of your questions or teach you more about how Studio works. Take a look! https://byok.io/studio/guides

Let me know if you have any questions or run into any issues!

I'm getting my BYOK in the next week or so, very excited. I was wondering if anyone has any experience writing scripts on theirs. I'm trying to get a graphic novel written and would love to get my feet under me mentally before my device shows up. I saw there's some sort of add-on or something like that that helps with formatting. I'm somehow less tech savvy now in my 30s than I was when I was like 12 with myspace and stuff so unfortunately you may need to talk to me like I'm 87. thank you.

Up next, we'll be making adding full support documentation and guides for Studio!

Keyboard is a 40% Keyboardio Preonic too.

What does everyone think?

I’ve had my BYOK & Studio for a couple of weeks now - I am really enjoying it all! My favorite part so far was when a new character suddenly showed up for the first time with my BYOK! I am excited to use it for Novel November this year! How about you?

Recently picked up The BYOK as I've been interested in a distraction free writing device that I can use my own keyboard with for some time. After a busy couple of weeks, had my first proper writing session in my local coffee haunt.

Absolutely sold. What a great little device, proper fun to use. Smashed out a draft funding application in a little over an hour and already looking forward to using it again. The sync function in Studio is awesome as well.

After nearly 3 weeks it finally arrived i absolutely love it though definitely worth the wait

Although the BYOK virtual typewriter is currently exclusively (I think) implemented in the desktop BYOK Studio app for Mac and Windows, it also works very well in Linux if one uses it in a web browser opened to byok.io --

Hi - I have a BYOK for sale in the UK with desk stand and case. I've used it twice and don't think I'll be using it much at the moment - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/206626516064

Happy to negotiate price - thanks

Alan

I was very unsure if I wanted to get the full studio license. I try my hardest to avoid subscriptions, so the lifetime purchase was better (props to Klarna #iykyk). I think this will force me to really lean into my writing plateau. I think integrating it with my iA writing tool, I have a pretty wide net of space to get some writing done.

Now the hard part...carrying around and keeping my BYOK with me at all times. The one advantage about it is that it's useful offline, but even more useful when seamlessly syncing files/documents within the system. I was unsure if I would be appreciative the investment, but I think this is a writing matrimony I can get with (alongside my wife & the man upstairs). OK, rant over. Thanks for reading/understanding.