For LightningPiggy 1.0 click here.

Making your very own LightingPiggy is squealy easy. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Source the parts.
  2. Create a wallet.
  3. Flash the firmware.
  4. Make a case and assemble the parts.
đź’ˇ
IMPORTANT: This is not a toy. It contains small parts which could be a choking and ingestion hazard. There are also sharp edges. It should not be handled by children under 4 years of age. Assembly and use of this product is at your own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses that may be incurred.

Quick Start Guide

If you already have the single board computer.

Choose a wallet that supports Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC). We recommend Alby Hub because it's self-hosted; supports multiple friends and family accounts, and is super easy to use. Once setup, make a copy of the Lightning Address and NWC link, you’ll need them in the next step.

Next flash the firmware. You’ll need:

  • A Wi-Fi enabled laptop/desktop computer.
  • A browser that supports the Web Serial API (such as Google Chrome, Brave, Opera, or Microsoft Edge).
  • Your LightningPiggy configuration details (summarised below) ready to copy and paste into the setup webpage.
Connection
 Required Credentials
WiFi - SSID
- Password
NWC - NWC link e.g., nostr+walletconnect://ba80990666ef0b...
- Lightning address e.g., LightningPiggy@coinos.io

The LightningPiggy 2.0 app runs on MicroPythonOS - a new lightweight, fast, and versatile operating system designed for both microcontrollers and desktop systems.

MicroPythonOS was created by Thomas, our lead developer, during the development of LightningPiggy. It grew out of a need for a fast, flexible, learner-friendly OS tailored to microcontrollers.

To get started:

  1. Flash MicroPythonOS to your device using this web installer.
  2. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
  3. Open the AppStore and install the LightningPiggy app.
  4. In the app, tap the Settings button and select Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) as your wallet type.
  5. Enter your NWC credentials manually or scan the relevant QR code using the built-in camera module.

đź’ˇ Tip: If your NWC credentials are not available as a QR code, you can generate one using a free online QR generator like this one.

Full Guide

1. Source the parts

Single Board Computer (SBC): WaveShare ESP32-S3-Touch with a 2inch screen. Available direct from WaveShare or from resellers.

Case: One homemade case using materials of your choice.

USB-C data cable: Available cheaply for bulk purchases from Aliexpress or Amazon if you don't have one lying around.

ESP32-S3-Touch with a 2inch screen

2. Create a Wallet

Choose one of two options for connecting your piggy:

Use a Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC)-enabled wallet. Or, set up an LNBits wallet.

NWC is a protocol that lets you securely link your Bitcoin wallet to applications without exposing your private keys, making it a simple and safe option.

LNBits is a versatile wallet and payment processing system for the Lightning Network, offering more control and customisation.

Below is a detailed comparison of both options to help you choose the best fit.

NWC LNBits
Purpose
 Protocol for connecting Lightning wallets to apps via Nostr Multi-wallet Lightning account system
Prerequisites Works with Nostr, no server required, just a NWC-compatible wallet Requires hosting a server (trustless) or using a hosted instance (trusted)
Ease of Use Easy! Copy and paste NWC link to connect a wallet Requires the setup of, or access to, an LNBits instance
Custodianship Both non-custodial and custodial options, the LightningPiggy software only views payments Both non-custodial (if self-hosted) and custodial (if using a hosted instance)
Wallet Support Works with any NWC-enabled wallet (See below) Internal to LNBits but can also be connected to a NWC-enabled wallet through LNbits
Best For Great for connecting a regular NWC-enabled wallet with your piggy Self-hosted Lightning wallets, managing multiple accounts from one interface, access to additional extension-based LNBits functionality

Nostr Wallet Connect

Choose an NWC-enabled wallet and follow the provider’s setup instructions. Below is a summary of some popular wallet options.

Wallet Description
Alby Hub A self-custodial, open-source lightning wallet that connects to apps
Cashu A free and open-source Bitcoin wallet that uses ecash
Coinos A free custodial web wallet and payment page
Primal A popular nostr client with integrated custodial wallet
Zeus A self-custodial, open-source Bitcoin wallet

Go to the NWC information page in your chosen wallet (usually found in the settings). Locate and copy the NWC link, which should follow this structure:

nostr+walletconnect://f3a192b445cd7e8f2d4a60c578eb932a57b83d9265fa790042bd865937c2e5d9?relay=wss%3A%2F%2Frelay.example.com&secret=11d4fc982746ab5389f75efc3ddaa94761e35fb209ec8d7a4b3d248ac4e6f710&lud16=RandomWallet@domain.com

Keep a record of your wallet’s Lightning address (which resembles an email address), as it will be used to receive bitcoin payments over the lightning network. This address will be automatically converted into a QR code and displayed on the Piggy's screen for easy scanning.

LNbits

If you wish to run a LNbits wallet, please refer to our detailed guide for step-by-step instructions.

3. Flash the firmware

You’ll need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop/desktop computer, a browser that supports the Web Serial API (such as Google Chrome, Brave, Opera, or Microsoft Edge), and your LightningPiggy configuration details (summarised below) ready to copy and paste into the setup webpage.

Connection
 Required Credentials
WiFi - SSID
- Password
NWC - NWC link e.g., nostr+walletconnect://ba80990666ef0b...
- Lightning address e.g., LightningPiggy@coinos.io
or LNBits - Server name (e.g., https://demo.lnpiggy.com)
- Invoice/read key (e.g., db400dfba..., copied from your LNBits Wallet API toggle)

The LightningPiggy 2.0 app runs on MicroPythonOS - a new lightweight, fast, and versatile operating system designed for both microcontrollers and desktop systems.

MicroPythonOS was created by Thomas, our lead developer, during the development of LightningPiggy. It grew out of a need for a fast, flexible, learner-friendly OS tailored to microcontrollers.

To get started:

  1. Flash MicroPythonOS to your device using this web installer.
  2. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
  3. Open the AppStore and install the LightningPiggy app.
  4. In the app, tap the Settings button and select Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) as your wallet type.
  5. Enter your NWC credentials manually or scan the relevant QR code using the built-in camera module.

đź’ˇ Tip: If your NWC credentials are not available as a QR code, you can generate one using a free online QR generator like this one.

4. Make a case and assemble the parts

Time to get creative! Build your very own LightningPiggy case out of any material you wish to use, and assemble the parts.

Check out our new case options.

Cases

If you would like to share your design with others, please email your creation to oink@lightningpiggy.com for inclusion on this website.

Join our telegram chat for help or inspiration, or to share your work with other LightningPiggy builders.

LightningPiggy
Community group for the LightningPiggy FOSS project
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