Set up JapyScope
Before you start
You need an original Raspberry Pi Zero W (armv6), a reputable microSD card, and a stable 5V/2.5A power supply. A weak power supply or poor card can corrupt the system during installation.
Wire the mount connection (RJ12)
Do all wiring in this and the next three steps with the Pi powered off — connect everything first, then power on once at the end. The controller connects directly to the mount's RJ12 "Hand Control" port over the Pi's UART, through a logic-level shifter (the mount side is 5V, the Pi's GPIO is 3.3V).
Wire the keypad
The 3×4 matrix keypad connects to seven GPIO pins (four rows, three columns) — no physical modification to the keypad itself, just stickers for the key legend.
Wire the rotary encoder
The KY-040 rotary encoder needs three signal pins (rotation A, rotation B, push-button) plus power and ground. It also needs a 3D-printed D-shaft knob on its shaft — not a wiring step, but check it's on hand before closing up the enclosure.
Wire the display
The e-ink display connects over the Pi's hardware SPI bus (six signals: data, clock, chip-select, data/command, reset, busy) — the same wiring regardless of which panel size ends up selected. The RGB backlight's exact pin assignment is still being finalized; if yours isn't wired yet, skip it for now — the firmware treats backlight control as a stub until then.
Choose the right operating system
Flash Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye/Bookworm/Trixie Lite, 32-bit with Raspberry Pi Imager. Do not use a 64-bit or desktop image: the installer intentionally supports Bullseye/Bookworm/Trixie armhf only.
Prepare the Pi
In Raspberry Pi Imager, configure a user and enable SSH if you will not attach a keyboard. Flash the card, insert it, and boot the Pi.
Fresh install or update?
Are you setting up JapyScope for the first time, or updating an existing installation?
Is git installed on the Pi?
Run git --version on the Pi to check. If the command is not found, select "No" and run the command shown below first, then continue.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && sleep 10 && sudo apt install gitIs Wi-Fi already configured?
Is this Pi's Wi-Fi already working — credentials set in Raspberry Pi Imager, or a wired connection?
Run the installer
On the Pi, run:
git clone https://github.com/jan-tdy/japyscope-remote && cd japyscope-remote && sudo install/install.shConnect it to Wi-Fi
When no saved connection is active, join JapyScope-Setup. Its unique password appears on the controller. Browse to http://192.168.4.1:8080/setup, submit your home Wi-Fi details, then reconnect your phone or computer to that network.
Wi-Fi was already working before you even installed, so there's nothing to do here — JapyScope should already be on your network. Skip ahead.
Check that everything is running
Open the Web UI at http://japyscope.local:8080/ (or the Pi's IP address). Generate an access code on the controller under Menu → Wi-Fi / Web Access.
systemctl status japyscope-splash japyscope-app japyscope-webuiYou're ready for the software side. For errors or hardware validation notes, use the troubleshooting guide.