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
DisplaysHome
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- a weekend
- license
- GPL-3.0
- repo
- repo ACTIVE4,123 stars
●●●○○ · a weekend · GPL-3.0 · 4,123 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
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, but the README assumes you will pick and wire your own e-ink HAT, and the lack of a parts list means you need to read the compatibility notes before ordering. The plugin architecture is elegant and there are community examples, but writing a custom one requires Python fluency. The hardest part is not the software — it is choosing the right HAT for your frame or desk mount, because the project does not supply enclosure files and e-ink displays vary wildly in size and pinout. If you want a glanceable, non-glowing info screen and you are comfortable with a Pi and a solderless header, this is a weekend well spent. If you expected a kit with a case, you will spend Sunday designing one.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Full Python codebase and plugin system present; installation and config documented.
- —No bill of materials — you choose your own e-ink HAT from the supported list (Inky, Waveshare, Pimoroni).
- —No 3D-printable enclosure or mounting files in the repository.
- —Configuration is done via web interface or phone browser after install.
- —GPL-3.0 licence — permits commercial use with source disclosure.
- —Active project: 4.1k stars, last commit recent, issues triaged.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterBluHub reads and burns Blu-ray/DVD/CD, adds USB-C, USB-A, SD/TF and 10 Gbps data — plug and play, grand-piano finish.
Videos
Creator walkthrough present in sources; no title or length metadata provided in payload.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 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.Flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite to a microSD card and enable SSH during setup.(The installer script expects a headless Pi with network access.)
- 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.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.
Partner · KickstarterCORE POWER BANK S: 0.2" thin, 2.8 oz, 5000 mAh with 22.5W fast charging. Semi-solid battery, carbon fiber, IPX7 waterproof.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Buying an unsupported HAT because the README does not list a bill of materials — check the compatibility section first.
- Expecting a case or mount design in the repository — there is none, and e-ink HAT sizes vary enough that generic Pi cases often do not fit.
- Underestimating refresh time — e-ink is slow by design; playlists that change every minute look janky.
- Writing a plugin without reading an existing one first — the plugin API is clean but undocumented beyond code examples.
- Running this on a Pi Zero 1 (not Zero 2 W) — it will work but plugin rendering will crawl.
- Forgetting to set the correct HAT model in config — the installer asks, and a mismatch means a blank or garbled screen.
Which e-ink HAT should I buy?
If you want simple and well-supported, Pimoroni Inky wHAT or Inky Impression. If you want larger or cheaper, Waveshare has more sizes but spottier documentation. Check the repository's compatibility list before ordering.
Can I run this on a Pi I already have?
Yes, if it is a Pi Zero 2 W or newer and you can spare it. A Pi 4 works but is overkill. The original Pi Zero (not Zero 2) is too slow for comfortable plugin rendering.
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?
No. You will need to design or find one that fits your chosen HAT, or mount the assembly in a picture frame.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
4,100 stars and a plugin system that keeps growing — what would your first custom plugin show?
Fatih Ak
Fatih built InkyPi as a calm alternative to glowing dashboards and notification-heavy screens. The project grew to 4k+ stars in about a year, driven by a plugin system that lets the community add everything from transit times to generative art.
Keep building — related projects
Same category, picked by how close they are to this build.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- 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.
CompareeTEAM1mo agoedited
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is active with recent commits and triaged issues. The creator's YouTube walkthrough (linked above) covers the install and first-run config clearly. The single biggest decision is the HAT — Inky boards are plug-and-play but smaller, Waveshare panels go bigger but need more setup notes. There is no enclosure in the repo, so plan to mount it in a frame or design your own case before the Pi arrives. The web config interface works smoothly from a phone browser once the installer finishes.