I think https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware might be what you are looking for: It exposes itself as flash drive in bootloader-mode and the files on there are just regular Python scripts. If you search for “KMK macro pad”, you’ll find a bunch of projects - most of them diy. If you want to start from scratch, Jan Lunge created an awesome tool for setup and keymap adjustments (video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtYJYFMWjNM, repo https://github.com/JanLunge/pog) - with the idea being that after setup you do not need the tool anymore to adjust the keymap.

sub-40 gang 👊

Unfortunately as you found out QMK is not officially supported. But there is a port called SonixQMK which supports this board. This firmware also supports OpenRGB, so you can integrate the light even better in your setup.

Glass cleaner also works very well for removing most of the glue. Let it soak for a little and then use a scraper to remove the glue

Still too many buttons for artsey!