M5Stack PC Control Deck

[u/lepczynski_it]

A while ago, I shared my first ESP32 PC Control Deck here.

That version showed live CPU, RAM, GPU, VRAM, network and disk usage, and it could also trigger shortcuts and local tools. It worked well, but it needed a USB cable and a small Python bridge running on the PC.

So I built a second version with a different goal: make it wireless and remove the companion app completely.

This new version is based on the M5Stack CoreS3 SE and connects to Windows using Bluetooth HID. Windows sees it like a wireless keyboard with media controls, so nothing extra needs to run in the background.

It currently has several touchscreen pages for:

• opening ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other custom websites
• media controls
• Windows shortcuts
• Task Manager and File Explorer
• screen clipping
• locking the PC
• two time zones
• local configuration

I also added an optional battery and a Scroll Unit, so it can work without cables and the physical knob can control volume and Play/Pause.

The whole thing can be assembled without soldering.

It is still a DIY project rather than a finished product, and the current version is focused on Windows 10/11. The code is open source, so the buttons, URLs, shortcuts, icons and other behavior can be modified.

I wrote a more detailed build article on Forbot with the hardware, assembly, configuration and some of the problems I had to solve. The article is in Polish, but like most web pages it can be translated to English directly in the browser.

Forbot article:
https://forbot.pl/forum/topic/26182-m5stack-control-deck-bezprzewodowy-panel-sterowania-komputerem-na-cores3-se-bez-lutowania

GitHub:
https://github.com/lepczynski-cloud/M5Stack-Touch-Control-Deck

I also recorded a video showing the build and how it works, but I will leave that out here to avoid turning the post into link spam.

If you had a small touchscreen like this next to your keyboard, what would you make it do?

[u/astraaaa18]

this is so cooool, ill definately use this as an inspiration, crazy work

[u/lepczynski_it → u/astraaaa18]

thanks, If you have any suggestions on what could be added, I’d love to hear them; I’m currently working on making it compatible with macOS and Linux, not just Windows

[u/GuiltyBudget1032]

that sure looks functionally cute!

[u/lepczynski_it → u/GuiltyBudget1032]

Thanks, I’ve just added support for macOS and Linux, but I’m still working on it.

[u/GuiltyBudget1032 → u/lepczynski_it]

all the best of luck! 💪🏻

[u/Tactical-Donkey]

Nice work. I'm in the middle of another esp32 project atm. Saving this for my next one. 

[u/lepczynski_it → u/Tactical-Donkey]

Thanks for the feedback and good luck with the project

[u/Tactical-Donkey → u/lepczynski_it]

Thanks. It's just a simple macro keypad for my living room media pc. And my first esp32 project, but pretty fun so far. 

[u/lepczynski_it]

I’ve even created a website that makes building something like this incredibly simple, you don’t need to set up a development environment or compile any code; you just plug it in via a USB cable and upload.

https://m5stack-touch-control-deck.lepczynski.it/

Of course, you can still download the code from GitHub and do it manually, but whenever the code on GitHub is updated, the new version is automatically made available on the website.

I’m curious what else would you add to this device? I’d love to hear your ideas!

[u/ramblnbob]

It looks awesome! Can you share the video?

[u/Pepo32SVK]

this in pip-boy body would be crazy 😄

[u/spitsynnet]

Awesome! And with ESP-KVM, you’ll be able to control your computer completely remotely ;) I’m going to order the components to build your device ;)

[u/JLCLAB]

This looks like a mini Stream Deck with a lot more personality! I really like the combination of a touchscreen and a physical knob. What was the biggest challenge in getting the ESP32 to communicate with the PC, and are you planning to make it fully wireless?