# Building a GitHub Dashboard on ESP32 E-Paper

I built this mostly because playing with hardware is fun. There's something satisfying about making a physical thing that sits on your desk and actually does something. Plus, let's be honest - having a little e-paper display showing live GitHub stats makes your desk look way more interesting.

Does it solve a problem? Kind of. I can glance at my notifications and contribution stats without opening a browser. But that's the excuse I gave myself. The real reason was wanting to build something cool with an e-paper display and ESP32.

## Screens

Press Button (GPIO 39) to cycle through:

1. **Notifications** - Reviews, mentions, assignments
    
2. **Profile** - Repos, stars, open PRs, followers
    
3. **PR Overview** \- Open, Waiting to review, Ready to merge, Request changes
    

Each screen fetches fresh data when you switch to it.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506858274/93307ebe-527a-4486-8140-8a92dc524dad.jpeg align="left")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506866680/6f13df5f-c80f-445d-acad-7a18df806901.jpeg align="left")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506873050/43055dd7-a97a-4c02-a726-83e72fdc327f.jpeg align="left")

## Hardware

**LILYGO T5 V2.3.1** (~$15-20) - ESP32 with 2.13" e-paper and two built-in buttons:

* GPIO 39: Cycle screens
    
* GPIO 0: Force refresh
    

That's it. Flash and go.

## How It Works

**Data fetching:**

* REST API for notifications
    
* GraphQL for profile/activity (smaller payloads)
    
* Only fetches active screen data
    
* Only refreshes display when data changes
    

**Power:**

* Deep sleep between updates (default 10 min)
    
* Wakes on timer or button press
    
* Web server runs 30 seconds after boot for config access
    

## Web Interface

First boot creates AP: "NotificationHub" (password: `configure`)  
Connect and go to `192.168.4.1`

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506896772/d9d701a3-3408-4718-b04f-686530807c94.png align="left")

Four tabs:

* **Dashboard** - Status, refresh button
    
* **WiFi** - Network config, admin password
    
* **Providers** - GitHub token and username
    
* **Settings** - Update interval
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506901536/bab16d42-1bc4-4391-8cf9-31435a7f44f8.png align="left")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506916311/fa3744ad-3551-4d3b-a300-08e0d5e9b8ed.png align="left")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1763506906405/e61fb79f-855b-4eb1-a83a-3e28cc3a977a.png align="left")

## GitHub Token

Generate a Classic token with:

* `notifications`
    
* `read:user`
    

Add it in Providers tab.

## Setup

1. Flash firmware
    
2. Connect to "NotificationHub" (password: `configure`)
    
3. Go to `192.168.4.1` (or whatever your network assigns)
    
4. Configure WiFi and admin password
    
5. Add GitHub token and username
    
6. Reboot
    

Updates every 10 minutes. Press buttons for manual control.

## Built with Arduino MCP

Used [arduino-mcp](https://github.com/niradler/arduino-mcp) - connects Claude/Cursor to Arduino CLI:

```bash
"Compile for ESP32"
"Upload to board"
"Convert this PNG to C array"
```

Way faster than copy-pasting commands.

Claude Desktop config:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arduino-uvx": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["arduino-mcp"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}
```

## API Endpoints

```bash
GET /api/status          # Current status
POST /api/refresh        # Force refresh
POST /api/reset          # Factory reset
```

## Memory Handling

ESP32 RAM is tight:

* Paged API requests
    
* Dynamic JSON buffers
    
* Independent screen state
    
* Display hibernation during sleep
    

## What's Next

Could add:

* GitLab/Bitbucket support
    
* Larger displays (4.2" or 7.5")
    
* Historical graphs
    
* Battery indicator
    
* Webhooks for instant updates
    
* 3D printed [case](https://www.printables.com/model/412141-lilygo-ttgo-t5-213-case)
    

## Stack

**Hardware:** [LILYGO T5 V2.3.1](https://lilygo.cc/products/t5-2-13inch-e-paper)

**Software:** ESP32 Arduino, GxEPD2, ArduinoJson

**APIs:** GitHub REST + GraphQL, NTP

## Links

**Code:** [github.com/niradler/github-dashboard-esp32-epaper](https://github.com/niradler/github-dashboard-esp32-epaper)

**Arduino MCP:** [github.com/niradler/arduino-mcp](https://github.com/niradler/arduino-mcp)

**License:** MIT | **Cost:** ~$15-20 | **Time:** 1-2 hours