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Getting Started

Software Setup​

  1. Use the Raspberry Pi Imager tool to flash an SD card with the latest Raspberry Pi OS image

    • Choose OS - Raspberry Pi OS (other) - Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit) image
    • Click the gear icon ⚙ to set up a new user, WiFi, and enable SSH

  2. Update Beepy's firmware

    • Download the latest firmware image
    • Slide the power switch off (left if facing up)
    • Connect the Beepy to your computer via USB-C
    • While holding the "End Call" key (top right on the keypad), slide the power switch on
    • The Beepy will present itself as a USB mass storage device, drag'n'drop the new firmware (i2c_puppet.uf2) into the drive and it will reboot with the new firmware

  3. SSH into the Pi and install driver packages. The LED will remain green until drivers are installed and the system has rebooted

curl -s --compressed "https://ardangelo.github.io/beepy-ppa/KEY.gpg" | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/beepy.gpg >/dev/null \
&& sudo curl -s --compressed -o /etc/apt/sources.list.d/beepy.list "https://ardangelo.github.io/beepy-ppa/beepy.list" \
&& sudo apt update \
&& sudo apt-get -y install beepy-kbd sharp-drm \
&& sudo shutdown -r now

  1. Your Beepy is now ready, enjoy!

Hardware Setup​

If you are installing your own Raspberry Pi Zero or any other SBC, make sure all the mounting pins are properly aligned to each hole before tightening the screws. If you cannot see the pin through a header hole, then it is not properly mounted. You can move the board around until all the pins "click" into place.

Beepy Raspberry Pi Zero mounting diagram

The USB-C port at the bottom powers and charges the Beepy. Do not power the Raspberry Pi Zero through its Micro-USB port (PWR IN).

Additional Details​

  • In /boot/cmdline.txt, edit fbcon=font:VGA8x8 to change the font/size. See fbcon for more details
  • Long holding the "End Call" key (5 seconds) will trigger the key KEY_POWER and safely shutdown the Pi
    • The LED will turn red until OS shutdown has completed
    • Wait another few seconds until the disk activity light on the Pi has turned off to ensure disks are synced
  • After shutting down using the "End Call" key, holding the key for 1 second will turn the Pi back on

Join the Beepy Discord!​

Discord Invite

Matrix Bridge​

#beepy-general

#beepy-dev

#beepy-apps

#beepy-hw