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 - theMeshCore originalwas created by Scott of Ripple Radios. The MeshCore founder.companion Followingapp theis Aprildeveloped 2026by governanceLiam split,Cottle.) MeshOS became a separate forkis maintained at meshcore.co.uk, distinctseparate 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 forkseparate followingfirmware product, distributed via meshcore.co.uk; it is distinct from the Aprilcanonical 2026 governance split. Both MeshOS and the core teamMeshCore 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 valid,actively maintained choices. MeshOS is optimized for standalone keyboard devices; corethe core-team firmware covers the full hardware range and is the reference implementation for new device support.