ZMK Migration Build Error: Prospector-zmk-module To Zmk-dongle-screen

Aug 13, 2025 by Luna Greco 70 views

Build Error After Migrating from prospector-zmk-module to zmk-dongle-screen

Hey guys! First off, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the incredible work on this project. Seriously, the documentation and the module itself are lifesavers!

I'm currently in the middle of migrating my ZMK configuration from the old prospector-zmk-module to the shiny new setup, and I'm following the instructions in the repository's README.md like a hawk. But, uh oh, I've hit a bit of a snag – a build failure. Let's dive into the details, so you can see what I'm wrestling with.

The Migration Journey and the Build Failure

So, as I mentioned, I'm transitioning from the prospector-zmk-module to the newer zmk-dongle-screen. I've been meticulously following the migration guide, but it seems like something's gone a little sideways. The specific changes I've made are all documented in this commit: https://github.com/deintech/totem-zmk-config/commit/90bdb7d1ab85dcf0802b445eefe92dfa4544f78b. You can take a peek at exactly what I tweaked there.

The specific build action that threw the error can be found right here: https://github.com/deintech/totem-zmk-config/actions/runs/16927794998. This link will take you straight to the build log, so you can see the gory details. Now, let's break down the error I'm seeing, because that's the real head-scratcher.

Decoding the Kconfig Error

The build log keeps spitting out this Kconfig error, and it's got me stumped:

/__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/config/totem.conf:27: warning: ignoring malformed line 'DONGLE_SCREEN_MAX_BRIGHTNESS=100'

error: Aborting due to Kconfig warnings

CMake Error at /__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/zephyr/cmake/modules/kconfig.cmake:355 (message):
 command failed with return code: 1
Call Stack (most recent call first):
 /__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/zephyr/cmake/modules/zephyr_default.cmake:129 (include)
 /__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:66 (include)
 /__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:92 (include_boilerplate)
 CMakeLists.txt:9 (find_package)


-- Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!
FATAL ERROR: command exited with status 1: /usr/local/bin/cmake -DWEST_PYTHON=/usr/bin/python3 -B/tmp/tmp.azrhIBh1dL -GNinja -DBOARD=seeeduino_xiao_ble -DZMK_CONFIG=/__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/config -DSHIELD=totem_left -DCONFIG_ZMK_SPLIT=y -DCONFIG_ZMK_SPLIT_ROLE_CENTRAL=n -S/__w/totem-zmk-config/totem-zmk-config/zmk/app
Error: Process completed with exit code 1.

Okay, let's break this down. The error message flags a "malformed line" in my totem.conf file, specifically this line: DONGLE_SCREEN_MAX_BRIGHTNESS=100. It seems like the Kconfig system isn't too happy with how this is formatted. The error then cascades into a CMake failure, which ultimately aborts the build. This is where things get a little murky for me. I'm not entirely sure why this specific line is causing such a ruckus. Is it a syntax issue? Is there something else I'm missing about how these configurations are supposed to be structured?

This is where your expertise comes in! I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this Kconfig error and point me in the right direction. Understanding the root cause of this error is the first step in getting my build back on track. Once I understand what's going wrong, I can start making the necessary adjustments to my configuration files. I'm eager to learn and get this migration completed smoothly, so any help you can offer is greatly appreciated!

Ruling Out ZMK Studio Configurations

My first thought was, "Oh no, is this something to do with ZMK Studio?" You know, those configurations can sometimes be a bit finicky. To try and narrow things down, I took a step back and reverted to the default Totem configuration. I figured if the default config builds cleanly, then the issue probably lies in my custom settings. But, alas, the build still failed after I switched the values from prospector-zmk-module to zmk-dongle-screen. This is what really threw me for a loop.

If the problem wasn't in my custom configurations and persisted even with the default Totem setup, then it seemed like the issue might be more fundamental to the migration process itself. This made me realize that I might be overlooking a crucial step in the migration, something that's not immediately obvious from the documentation. It's like there's a hidden dependency or a subtle change in how things are handled between the two modules. This is where I started to feel like I was missing the forest for the trees. I was so focused on the individual configuration settings that I might have missed a bigger, overarching change in the system.

This experience really highlights the importance of systematic troubleshooting. By isolating variables and testing different scenarios, I was able to rule out one potential cause (ZMK Studio configurations) and narrow down the problem to something more fundamental. This is a valuable lesson in debugging complex systems, and it's something I'll keep in mind as I continue to work on this project. The process of elimination can be a powerful tool, especially when dealing with errors that aren't immediately clear.

The Crux of the Issue: Missing a Migration Step?

So, here's where I'm at: The build consistently fails with this Kconfig error, even with the default Totem configuration. This happens specifically when I change the values from prospector-zmk-module to zmk-dongle-screen. It's like there's a secret handshake I'm not performing, a step in the migration dance that I've completely missed. I'm starting to suspect that this might be a common pitfall for others migrating from the old module to the new one.

Perhaps there's a specific order in which the configurations need to be changed, or maybe there are certain files that need to be updated in a particular way. It could even be a subtle incompatibility between the old configuration style and the new one. Whatever it is, I'm feeling like I'm just one small piece of information away from solving this puzzle. The error message itself is helpful, but it doesn't quite give me the whole picture. It points to the DONGLE_SCREEN_MAX_BRIGHTNESS line, but it doesn't explain why that line is suddenly a problem after the migration.

This is the frustrating part of debugging – you know there's a logical explanation, but it's just out of reach. It's like trying to catch a greased pig at the county fair. You can see it, you know it's there, but it keeps slipping through your fingers. But I'm not giving up! With a little help from the community, I'm confident that we can crack this case and get my build back in working order. The key, I think, is to focus on the bigger picture and look for the missing step in the migration process.

Seeking Guidance: What Am I Overlooking?

Okay, team, I'm officially throwing myself on the mercy of the ZMK experts! I've laid out the situation, shown you the error messages, and explained my troubleshooting steps. Now, I'm hoping someone can lend a hand and point out what I might be overlooking. It feels like I'm missing something crucial in this migration process, and a fresh pair of eyes (or several!) would be incredibly helpful.

Is there a known gotcha when migrating from prospector-zmk-module to zmk-dongle-screen? Are there specific files I need to update, or a particular order in which I should be making these changes? Could there be a subtle change in syntax or configuration style that I'm not aware of? Any insights, tips, or suggestions would be massively appreciated. I'm all ears and ready to learn! Think of me as a student eager to absorb your wisdom.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has successfully made this migration themselves. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them? Were there any unexpected surprises along the way? Sharing your experiences could be the key to unlocking this puzzle for me. And hey, if my struggles can help someone else avoid the same pitfalls, then all the better! That's what the community is all about, right? Helping each other out and sharing our knowledge.

Thank you so much for your time and attention. I know you're all busy, but any guidance you can offer would be a huge help. Let's get this build working! Now, let's address those keywords to make sure we're all on the same page about the core issue:

prospector-zmk-module Migration: This is the heart of the problem – the transition from the old module.
zmk-dongle-screen Build Error: This highlights the specific error I'm encountering after the migration attempt.
Kconfig Warning: This pinpoints the type of error message I'm seeing, which is crucial for diagnosis.

Keywords and Conclusion

So, to recap, I'm facing a build error after migrating from prospector-zmk-module to zmk-dongle-screen, specifically a Kconfig warning related to a malformed line in my configuration. I've tried reverting to the default configuration, but the error persists, suggesting I might be missing a crucial step in the migration process. I'm really hoping someone can help me figure out what I'm overlooking so I can finally get this build to succeed.

Thanks again for everything, you guys are the best! I really appreciate your time and support.