MeshOS (Standalone Device Firmware)
Overview
MeshOS is standalone device firmware for keyboard-equipped MeshCore devices, developed by Andy Kirby. (Note: Andy Kirby is the developer of MeshOS, not the founder of MeshCore - MeshCore was created by Scott of Ripple Radios. The MeshCore companion app is developed by Liam Cottle.) MeshOS is maintained at meshcore.co.uk, separate from the core team's canonical firmware at github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore.
MeshOS is purpose-built for T-Deck class devices and phone-independent operation.
Target Devices
- LilyGo T-Deck
- LilyGo T-Deck Plus
- LilyGo T-Lora Pager (T-Pager)
Pricing
- Base features: Free
- Full license: ~£8 one-time, tied to device serial number (as of 2026-06-08; price/availability via meshcore.co.uk)
Features
| Feature | Free | Paid (£8) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct messaging with E2EE | Yes | Yes |
| Channel / group messaging | Yes | Yes |
| Repeater Scanner with whitelist management | Yes | Yes |
| Last Heard list (signal strength + distance) | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh Signal Meter | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Floor Monitor (live RF background graph) | Yes | Yes |
| Trace Route | Yes | Yes |
| QR code display for URLs | Yes | Yes |
| Lock screen (time, battery, mesh signal) | Yes | Yes |
| Terminal access with packet logging | Yes | Yes |
| Repeater Admin (clock sync, stats, adverts) | No | Yes |
| Offline world maps (T-Deck Plus only) | Limited zoom | Full zoom |
When to Choose MeshOS
- You own a T-Deck or T-Deck Plus and want fully phone-independent operation
- You are a repeater operator who needs on-device diagnostics (Noise Floor Monitor, Trace Route, Repeater Admin)
- You want go-bag / emergency deployments with no phone dependency
When NOT to Choose MeshOS
- You need GPS-based maps but only have a standard T-Deck (not the Plus) - GPS is required for mapping features
- You need firmware for hardware outside the T-Deck family - use the core team firmware
Governance Note
MeshOS is Andy Kirby's separate firmware product, distributed via meshcore.co.uk; it is distinct from the canonical MeshCore firmware at github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore maintained by the MeshCore core team (the project was founded by Scott of Ripple Radios). There has been a dispute between Andy Kirby and the MeshCore core team over direction and naming; both MeshOS and the core-team firmware are actively maintained choices. MeshOS is optimized for standalone keyboard devices; the core-team firmware covers the full hardware range and is the reference implementation for new device support.