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Compact Graphical User Interface (GUI) Potentially Fitting inside Miniature Devices, Labeled as ZPUI

Peering at a brand new, fired-up single-board computer never fails to irritate me. My objective with these devices is always the same: reaching the shell, installing software, and driving it to perfection.

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Compact Graphical User Interface (GUI) Potentially Integrated in Miniature Devices - ZPUI
Compact Graphical User Interface (GUI) Potentially Integrated in Miniature Devices - ZPUI

Compact Graphical User Interface (GUI) Potentially Fitting inside Miniature Devices, Labeled as ZPUI

Hate dealing with the headache of accessing a single-board computer (SBC)? Me too, bud, but I've got a solution tailor-made for the frustrated hacker in you.

Let me introduce you to ZPUI (Zippy UI), a cheap and accessible, yet badass embeddable UI that promises to free you from the binds of traditional peripherals, such as keyboards, monitors, or Ethernet cables. With just a small I2C LCD screen and a handful of buttons, you can employ ZPUI to rule your Linux device with an iron fist - no more pissing around trying to get a shell.

Remember those halcyon days of character LCDs and non-standard mounting servers? Back then, you could pop a 16×2 display and five arrow keys on a Sun machine and play god with your server without needing a KVM. ZPUI takes it one step further.

Back in 2014, I started messing around with a HD44780 library for Raspberry Pi. I wanted to be able to power off my boards, figure out their IP addresses, and connect to WiFi networks without getting tangled in SD card machinations. It felt like a service someone should've provided years ago.

I named my project pyLCI (Linux Control Interface) and used it to build the first version of the software. It supported app loading, parsed WiFi connection commands, managed HDMI monitor connections, and most importantly, required only five buttons at all times.

Fast forward a few years and ZPUI has become an integral part of a number of my portable devices, including pocket Pis, portable hardware hacking workbenches, and home automation Pi boards. I've even used it to avoid the SD card corruption woes of yesteryear.

When I worked on ZeroPhone, an open-source Raspberry Pi Zero-based numpad phone, I forked pyLCI into ZPUI and targeted the super common 128×64 screens. I took inspiration from a successful Beepy UI project for the UI layout and set out to make ZPUI work on larger screens.

My ultimate goal is building a UI that allows you to control any of your Linux devices with ease. Whether you're putting together a home automation panel, an OpenWRT-powered pocket router, or an overpowered Meshtastic node, or even designing failsafes for a robot with computer vision, ZPUI aims to make your life a whole lot easier.

Got a small 128×64 OLED screen? You're good to go. In the process of ordering PCBs? I've even designed a business card-sized Pi shield that fits on any Pi and works over QWIIC if that tickles your fancy.

As-is, ZPUI can tackle most basic tasks, such as displaying network information, connecting to WiFi networks, managing system services with helping of a systemctl API, unmounting partitions, listing USB devices, and inputting console commands in a pinch. The future, however, is bright, with more features around the corner.

So, join me in my quest to make your Linux devices accessible and user-friendly. Give ZPUI a spin and see if it can solve some of the headaches you've faced in the past. If it ain't doing it for ya, let me know. Together, we can make ZPUI the fully-fledged UI it's meant to be. Happy hacking, fellow coder!

  1. With ZPUI, you can rule your Linux device using a small I2C LCD screen and a handful of buttons, eliminating the need for traditional peripherals like keyboards, monitors, or Ethernet cables.
  2. In 2014, the creator of ZPUI started messing around with a HD44780 library for Raspberry Pi, aiming to simplify tasks such as powering off boards, finding IP addresses, and connecting to WiFi networks without the complications of SD card machinations.
  3. ZPUI has become a part of various portable devices, including pocket Pis, portable hardware hacking workbenches, and home automation Pi boards, and has helped avoid SD card corruption issues of the past.
  4. If you have a small 128×64 OLED screen, you're ready to use ZPUI. Moreover, the creator has designed a business card-sized Pi shield that works over QWIIC and fits on any Pi, making it more accessible for various gadgets and smart-home devices.

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