Install MeshDash

The Setup Wizard — Fastest Path

The Setup Wizard at meshdash.co.uk/c2_setup.php asks you a few questions and generates a single personalised curl | bash command. The command is pre-configured with your API key, version selection, and radio connection type. Paste it into your terminal and it handles everything.

docker-compose.yml

services:
  meshdash:
    image: rusjpmd/meshdash-runner:latest
    container_name: meshdash
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8000:8000"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
      - ./plugins:/app/plugins
    devices:
      - /dev/ttyUSB0:/dev/ttyUSB0
    environment:
      - MESHTASTIC_CONNECTION_TYPE=SERIAL
      - MESHTASTIC_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0
      - WEBSERVER_PORT=8000
      - TZ=Europe/London

Start, update, manage

docker compose up -d          # start
docker compose logs -f meshdash  # live logs
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d  # update
docker compose down           # stop

TCP radio (no USB passthrough)

environment:
  - MESHTASTIC_CONNECTION_TYPE=TCP
  - MESHTASTIC_HOST=192.168.1.50
  - MESHTASTIC_PORT=4403

• Implemented graceful radio disconnection during system updates and restarts to reduce the risk of data loss or incomplete state saves.
• Updated plugin installation to strictly enforce the 'watchdog' field requirement in manifest.json for monitoring declarations.
• Added a 30-second startup delay before the initial periodic version check to allow the system to fully initialise.
• Modified the API response to include 'requires_restart: true' when starting a previously crashed, stopped, or hung plugin.
• Optimised UI performance with preconnect hints for CDN origins, deferred loading of non-critical libraries (Leaflet, Chart.js, Luxon), lazy-loaded view scripts (reducing initial JS payload by ~400 KB), and optimised Google Fonts.
• Enhanced UI reliability by integrating the Wake Lock API to prevent browser throttling, improving the SSE watchdog to handle 'zombie' connections, and debouncing rapid node updates to reduce unnecessary re-renders.
• Optimised background processes, including background stats collection for fresh charts upon return, and improved terminal persistence (trimmed to 50 lines, 2s save interval) to avoid localStorage quota errors and layout thrashing.
• Improved security by mitigating XSS vulnerabilities in modals using delegated data-* event listeners and safe modal button handling.
• Fixed a bug where SSE connections would fail to recover after a temporary network outage.
• Corrected rendering artefacts (white grid lines) in Leaflet tiles.
• Ensured all fetch calls consistently handle timeouts and aborts properly.

• Resolved a UI bug with the Node Status mini-bar in the top navigation, ensuring it displays properly on initial load without requiring the user to open the modal first.
• Seamlessly integrated Node Information directly into Direct Messages and Channel chat bubbles, providing quicker context and easier access to node details during active conversations.
• Finalized the implementation of the new UI template by applying the remaining global stylesheets, ensuring a cohesive, polished, and responsive look across the entire application.
• Completely overhauled the Node Configuration page, introducing a more intuitive layout and streamlined user experience for managing core hardware settings.

• Redesigned the UI with dynamic screen sizing for seamless mobile device support.
• Resolved multiple underlying bugs and frustrating issues related to plugin support enablement.
• Introduced a GUI-based Traceroute endpoint and dashboard page with historical logs, allowing one-click node routing and eliminating the need for terminal commands.
• Launched 'Mesh Visualiser': A real-time 3D network map where active nodes orbit your local node. Nodes shift from green to red based on 'last heard' time, dropping out of orbit after 72 hours of inactivity. Includes full read/reply messaging capabilities directly from the visualizer.
• Added a Node Config endpoint and dashboard interface to easily manage core hardware settings (Node Name, LoRa config, WiFi, MQTT, etc.).
• Upgraded Automated Tasks with a new wizard-driven menu creator, allowing users to easily deploy nested, actionable menus across the mesh.

• Introduced a complete backend overhaul to support a simple and powerful custom plugin system for easy dashboard extension.
• Added the 'Hello Mesh' Dev Plugin, an interactive documentation tool providing live examples and instant API endpoint responses for developers.
• Implemented a Mesh 'Wireshark' feature, offering a broad, top-down overview and deep visibility into all nodes and Meshtastic network traffic.
• Added a dedicated Node Comparison tool to select and analyze signal stats, hardware, and performance differences side-by-side.
• Introduced Mesh Monitor for automated telemetry alerts, enabling remote node tracking (e.g., battery levels) and automated warning messages, with GPS triggers coming soon.

• Enhanced backend SQL management, introducing the ability to efficiently handle larger databases.
• Implemented UI improvements to seamlessly support and navigate larger database structures.
• Optimized database performance by implementing connection reuse. Queries now utilize a single, persistent connection instead of opening a new one for each request, significantly reducing server overhead and query latency.

• Redesigned connectivity architecture to fully support USB (Serial), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections.
• Introduced MeshDash C2 Server: Securely access your node remotely via the MeshDash website without any port forwarding.
• Hardened backend logic: Advanced monitoring of node connection states with auto-management for failed connections.
• Strengthened security: Hardened authentication protocols for the local panel login.
• Improved User Experience: Comprehensive installer update and a smoother initial setup process.
• Unified Management: Configure Node and C2 settings easily during initial setup or anytime via the local dashboard.