# MeshOS (Standalone Device Firmware)

## Overview

**MeshOS** is standalone device firmware for keyboard-equipped MeshCore devices, developed by Andy Kirby - the original MeshCore founder. Following the **April 2026 governance split**, MeshOS became a separate fork maintained at meshcore.co.uk, distinct 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

## Pricing

- **Base features:** Free
- **Full license:** £8 - tied to device serial number

## Features

<table id="bkmrk-featurefreepaid-%28%C2%A38%29"><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>Free</th><th>Paid (£8)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Direct messaging with E2EE</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Channel / group messaging</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Repeater Scanner with whitelist management</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Last Heard list (signal strength + distance)</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Mesh Signal Meter</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Noise Floor Monitor (live RF background graph)</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Trace Route</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>QR code display for URLs</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Lock screen (time, battery, mesh signal)</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Terminal access with packet logging</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Repeater Admin (clock sync, stats, adverts)</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Offline world maps (T-Deck Plus only)</td><td>Limited zoom</td><td>Full zoom</td></tr></tbody></table>

## 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 fork following the April 2026 governance split. Both MeshOS and the core team firmware at github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore are valid, maintained choices. MeshOS is optimized for standalone keyboard devices; core team firmware covers the full hardware range and is the reference implementation for new device support.