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INKYPI — E-INK DASHBOARD ON RASPBERRY PI (4.1K STARS)

A screen that never glows, never pings, and shows only what you scheduled it to show.

by Fatih Ak

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

DisplaysHome

Built withRaspberry Pi

difficulty
●●●○○
time
a weekend
license
GPL-3.0
repo
repo ACTIVE4,241 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
1
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COMPAREE VERDICT

InkyPi turns a Raspberry Pi and an e-ink display into a calm, scheduled dashboard — weather, calendar, art, RSS, whatever plugins you enable. The setup is straightforward if you have ever SSH'd into a Pi: the README lists the supported Pi models and e-ink displays, and the install script does the rest. The plugin architecture is elegant, there is a guide to building plugins and a wiki of community plugins, but writing a custom one requires Python. The hardest part is not the software — it is choosing the right display for your frame or desk mount, because e-ink panels vary wildly in size and the community frames and stands mostly fit the Inky Impression models. If you want a glanceable, non-glowing info screen and you are comfortable with a Pi and a pre-soldered header, this is a weekend well spent. If you pick an unusual panel, budget extra time for a mount.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —Full Python codebase and plugin system present; installation and config documented.
  • —The README's hardware list covers the Pi, microSD card and the supported e-ink displays (Pimoroni Inky Impression / Inky wHAT, or Waveshare e-Paper).
  • —No enclosure files in the main code, but the README links community 3D-printable frames and stands in docs/community.md.
  • —Configuration is done via web interface or phone browser after install.
  • —GPL-3.0 licence — permits commercial use with source disclosure.
  • —Active project: 4.2k stars, last commit at the end of August 2026.

Parts to buy

4 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • Raspberry Pi (Zero 2 W or better)Find
  • Compatible e-ink HAT (Inky, Waveshare, or Pimoroni)Find
  • MicroSD cardFind
  • Power supplyFind

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Can I build this?

PrintNothing required — optional community 3D-printed frames, stands and IKEA frame bezels are linked in docs/community.md.
BuyRaspberry Pi (Zero 2 W or better), compatible e-ink HAT (Inky, Waveshare, or Pimoroni), microSD card, power supply.
ToolsSSH client, microSD card reader, soldering iron only if your HAT lacks a pre-soldered header.
SkillsComfortable with command-line Linux, SSH, and reading Python to configure plugins. No soldering if you buy a HAT with a header.
TimeInstallation and first playlist: 2–3 hours. Custom plugin or enclosure design: add a weekend.
Cost$$ — the e-ink display is the main cost and rises with screen size; check current prices via the README's hardware links.
SafetyNone beyond ordinary Pi care — 5V only, no mains, no lithium charging.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

Creator walkthrough on his AKZ Dev channel: building an e-ink calendar with a Raspberry Pi.

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Gallery

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Check the README's supported HAT list and pick one that fits your intended mount or frame. (Displays vary in size, connector, and refresh speed — choose before ordering.)
  2. 2.Flash Raspberry Pi OS with Raspberry Pi Imager (the installation guide uses the recommended image), setting Wi-Fi and enabling SSH during setup.(The installer script expects a headless Pi with network access.)
  3. 3.Run the install script from the repository and follow the web-based config wizard.(Configuration happens in a browser on your phone or laptop after install.)
  4. 4.Enable plugins and set up your first playlist schedule in the web UI.(Start with built-in plugins (weather, calendar) before writing custom ones.)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • Buying an unsupported display — Waveshare IT8951-based panels, for example, do not work. Order from the README's hardware list or check the Waveshare compatibility section first.
  • Expecting an enclosure in the main code — the frames and stands live in the community page (docs/community.md), mostly for Inky Impression displays; for other panels you may need your own mount.
  • Underestimating refresh time — e-ink is slow by design; playlists that change every minute look janky.
  • Writing a plugin without reading the Building InkyPi Plugins guide and an existing plugin first — it saves a lot of trial and error.
  • Using a Pi Zero W (not Zero 2 W) — it is not on the supported list and has known installation issues; see the troubleshooting guide.
  • Forgetting the -W flag with the correct model when installing for a Waveshare display — Inky displays auto-configure, Waveshare ones do not, and a wrong model means a blank or garbled screen.

Which e-ink HAT should I buy?

For the simplest setup, a Pimoroni Inky Impression or Inky wHAT: they configure themselves. Waveshare panels also work and come in more models, but you pass the model to the installer, IT8951-based panels are not supported and screens under 4 inches are not recommended. Check the README's compatibility section before ordering.

Can I run this on a Pi I already have?

Yes, if it is one the README lists: a Raspberry Pi 4, 3 or Zero 2 W. The original Pi Zero W is not on that list and has known installation issues documented in the troubleshooting guide.

Do I need to write code to use it?

No — the built-in plugins cover weather, calendar, RSS, and image playlists, all configured via the web UI. Writing a custom plugin requires Python.

How often does the screen refresh?

You set the schedule per playlist. E-ink is slow — refreshing every few minutes is realistic; every few seconds looks broken.

Is there a case or stand design?

Yes — the repository's community page (docs/community.md) links 3D-printable frames, stands and IKEA RODALM frame bezels, mostly for the Inky Impression 7.3 and 13.3 inch displays. For other panels you may need to design your own.

Community builds

No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.

Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

Over 4,000 stars and a plugin system with its own developer guide — what would your first custom plugin show?

CompareeTEAM2mo agoedited

Practical notes from our verification: the repository is active, and the README links a YouTube install tutorial if you prefer to watch before you start. The README's hardware list names exactly what works: a Raspberry Pi 4, 3 or Zero 2 W, a microSD card, and specific e-ink displays — Pimoroni Inky Impression (4 to 13.3 inch) and Inky wHAT, or supported Waveshare e-Paper panels. The practical difference is setup: Inky displays configure themselves, while for Waveshare you pass the display model to the installer with the -W flag, and some Waveshare models are not supported, so check the compatibility section before buying. For the frame, the README links a community page with 3D-printable frames, stands and bezels. Configuration happens in a web interface once the installer finishes, and there is a documented guide for building your own plugins. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.

Fatih Ak

Fatih built InkyPi as a calm, distraction-free alternative to glowing dashboards: no LEDs, noise or notifications, just the content you care about. Since late 2024 it has passed 4,000 stars, helped by a plugin system with its own developer guide and a wiki of community-maintained plugins.

GitHub

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  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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