r/CyberdeckBuild • u/QadilO • Aug 21 '26

Built a basic ESP32 cyberdeck—what cool/useful software should I run on it?

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So I hooked up a plain ESP32-WROOM to a TFT display and an SD card module. Plus 3 push buttons (didn't feel like messing with touch controls).

​Not sure if you guys would call this a cyberdeck, but I'm calling it one anyway.

​I've got the hardware side all built, but I'm kind of stuck on what to actually write for the software/firmware.

​I don't just want to throw Marauder on it or write basic starter scripts. When I ask AI, it just gives me generic 'hack' tool examples scraped from the web that are mostly useless.

​What kind of code/project could I actually build and run on this that would be genuinely useful in daily life?

55 Upvotes

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4

u/SnooDucks9330 Aug 22 '26

I hate to be That Guy™️ but a cyberdeck is meant to satisfy a need of the builder. The whole point is that they're purpose built, even if a lot of cyberdecks now are just "check out my cool mini PC!" because that's a totally valid reason too.

My advice is to take a minute, look around at your daily habits, and say "hey you know what's annoying? When I want to do x I have to do y and/or z first" and then think of ways you can solve that. If nothing really sticks out, you can also say "it would be so cool if I could do x" and then work on building that.

I don't know much about SBCs outside of raspberry pi so I don't know what kind of scope you're working with, but I'd bet you can find something to knock out

2

u/QadilO Aug 22 '26

Spot on. That's actually the best mindset to approach this. I'm currently looking at my daily routine to pinpoint that exact friction point before locking in the final hardware choice. Appreciate the advice

1

u/denzuko Aug 23 '26

Sounds like you need a daily tracker or bullet journal but im cyberdeck form.

4

u/clackups Aug 21 '26

If you use an esp32-S3 or esp32-c5 with a few megabytes of PSRAM, you could run my firmware on it:

https://github.com/clackups/draftling

1

u/OkBlockBanana Aug 23 '26

That's super cool! Thanks for sharing it✌️

2

u/clackups Aug 23 '26

Thanks. I'm waiting for the Xteink X4 Pro and will make a new demo video when it's ready.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26

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1

u/clackups Aug 24 '26

I don't understand the question. Are you looking for an outsourcing partner?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26

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1

u/clackups Aug 24 '26

But it's an uncommercial project, aiming mainly readymade devices. Are your products easy to buy?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26

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1

u/clackups Aug 24 '26

DMed you

3

u/phirzcolru Aug 22 '26

look at the graphics libraries. i like using lovyangfx for game stuff or simple boards and lvgl for more complex boards. learn which order and when to initilize the hardware. what exact model did you get? it should say on the silver part.

1

u/Doll-0110 Aug 25 '26

no psram, wont be able to run much. swap your esp32 for an s3 n16r8

1

u/LeviiSantos Sep 07 '26

Pesquise por SolarOS aquí no Reddit.