Deskbuddy - Your personal dashboard

Deskbuddy - Your personal dashboard

Deskbuddy is a small smart desk companion built around an ESP32 CYD - 2.8 touchscreen display. It is designed to sit on your desk and give you quick access to useful information at a glance, while the case is made to give the project a clean and practical form that fits naturally into a workspace.

What is Deskbuddy?

Deskbuddy is a customizable mini dashboard for your desk. It combines a touchscreen ESP32 board with simple software features such as time, weather, notes, timers, and other useful widgets.

The idea is to have a compact display that is always visible and easy to use, without needing to check your phone or open extra apps on your computer. It works well as a clock, weather display, focus timer, notes panel, or general desk status screen. The project is still in development so features and improvements are beeing added continuously.

Setup and Customization

One of the nice things about Deskbuddy is that it is relatively simple to set up. Once the board is installed in the case and connected by USB, the software can be adjusted through the browser interface. In most cases, it is enough to upload the code, add WiFi details, and then configure the rest from the web page.

Through the web-interface, you can customize things like:

• accent colors and theme
• text colors
• time and date format
• timer presets
• weather location
• nickname or custom title
• widgets on the home screen
• notes and reminders
• alert behavior

This makes it easy to keep the hardware simple while still making the device feel personal.

Why build a Deskbuddy?

Deskbuddy is a nice project if you want something that is both practical and customizable. It gives an ESP32 CYD a proper enclosure, makes it more pleasant to keep on a desk, and creates a small device that can be customized to your own use.

It is also a good combination of 3D printing, electronics, and simple software customization without being overly complicated to get started with.

Features

• compact desktop form factor
• designed for an ESP32 touchscreen setup
• clean rounded enclosure
• front shell and back cover
• top opening for USB-C port
• suitable for clock, weather, timer, notes, and status views

Print Notes

• prints as a simple two-part enclosure
• a textured build plate gives a nice surface finish
• PLA or PETG are both suitable choices
• fit may vary slightly depending on printer tolerances and board version

Assembly Notes

The ESP I am using: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010525144441.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.29.9afb180218gQdU

• place the display board into the back shell
• attach the front cover after fitting the board
• check fitment against your exact ESP32 touchscreen version

Code and step-by-step setup guide is uploaded here: https://github.com/LextZip/Deskbuddy