Relevant to OP - I wonder, since those pads are so close to pins D2 and D3… Obviously this will fry the analog pins, but I wonder if there’s a way to just short the pads to those pins and use the pins superior mechanical strength and ease of soldering and rework as the battery terminals. Would that fry the adc capability of pins D0 and D1 also? What about the whole micro?
The pads are very frustrating to use. I’ve had three boards that were well soldered come loose after the whole project was assembled, they are just very tiny and weak. Very difficult to rework!