MeshDash Easy Installer

Installation Options

Welcome to the Mesh Dash Installation Tool! This utility helps you quickly set up and configure Mesh Dash.

Choose your preferred installation method below based on your Operating System:

Generate a one-line command to install MeshDash directly on native Debian-based Linux systems (like Ubuntu, Debian).

If you are using a Raspberry Pi, please use the dedicated Raspberry Pi tab. For Windows, use the Windows (WSL) or Windows (Native) tab.

System Requirements: Python 3.9+ required (installer attempts to install it).

View detailed Python dependencies (auto-installed)

Your Meshtastic device must be:

Configured & working (Firmware 2.6+ Recommended)
Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as this computer
Mesh Dash is in early release. Feedback welcome!

Choose the version to install. Latest is recommended.

The IP address of your Meshtastic device on your local network.

Usually 4403. Change only if you modified the device config.

Use 0.0.0.0 for all network interfaces, or specify an IP.

Port to access MeshDash in your browser (e.g., http://your-server:8080).

Starts MeshDash automatically on system boot.

How to use (Linux):

  1. Select desired MeshDash version
  2. Fill in device & server details
  3. Click "Generate Linux Command"
  4. Copy the generated command below
  5. Paste and run it in your Linux terminal

Note: Requires internet access and potentially `sudo` privileges.

Linux command copied to clipboard!

Generate a one-line command to install MeshDash directly on your Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS (or other compatible Debian-based systems).

Alpha Version: This Raspberry Pi installation path is new and has not been as widely tested as the standard Linux method. Please report any issues.

This method is ideal for dedicated Pi setups acting as MeshDash servers.

System & Hardware Recommendations:
  • OS: Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy/Lite or Desktop) based on Debian is recommended.
  • Python: Python 3.9+ required (installer attempts to install it).
  • Model: Raspberry Pi 3B+ or newer recommended. Pi 4 / Pi 5 offer significantly better performance for larger meshes.
  • RAM: 1GB minimum (Pi 3B+), but 2GB or more recommended for smoother operation, especially if running other services.
  • SD Card: Use a reliable Class 10/U1/A1 (or better) SD card, 16GB or larger. Performance and reliability vary greatly between cards.
  • Power Supply: A stable, high-quality power supply matched to your Pi model (e.g., Official 2.5A for Pi 3B+, 3A+ for Pi 4/5) is crucial. Undervoltage causes instability.
  • Cooling (Optional): For continuous use, especially on Pi 4/5, passive (heatsinks) or active (fan) cooling is advised to prevent thermal throttling.

View detailed Python software dependencies (auto-installed)

Your Meshtastic device must be:

Configured & working (Firmware 2.6+ Recommended)
Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Raspberry Pi
Mesh Dash is in early release. Feedback welcome!

Choose the version to install. Latest is recommended.

The IP address of your Meshtastic device on your local network.

Usually 4403. Change only if you modified the device config.

Use 0.0.0.0 to listen on all Pi's network interfaces, or specify one IP.

Port to access MeshDash in your browser (e.g., http://raspberrypi.local:8080 or http://PI_IP_ADDRESS:8080).

Starts MeshDash automatically when your Raspberry Pi boots.

How to use (Raspberry Pi):

  1. Select desired MeshDash version
  2. Fill in device & server details
  3. Click "Generate Raspberry Pi Command"
  4. Copy the generated command below
  5. Paste and run it in your Raspberry Pi terminal (SSH or direct)

Note: Requires internet access and potentially `sudo` privileges on the Pi.

Raspberry Pi command copied to clipboard!

Generate `docker-compose.yml` and `Dockerfile` to build and run MeshDash in a container using Docker.

This method utilizes the standard install.sh script inside the container during the build process.

System Requirements: Docker and Docker Compose (v2+ recommended, i.e., `docker compose` command) must be installed on your host machine.

Visit the official Docker website for installation instructions.

Your Meshtastic device must be:

Configured & working (Firmware 2.6+ Recommended)
Connected to the same network reachable by the Docker host machine
Mesh Dash is in early release. Feedback welcome!

Choose the version for the Docker image build. Latest recommended.

IP address of your Meshtastic device (must be reachable from the Docker host).

Usually 4403.

The port you'll access MeshDash on your *host* machine (e.g., http://localhost:8080 or http://DOCKER_HOST_IP:8080). Ensure this port is free on the host.

How to use (Docker):

  1. Ensure Docker & Docker Compose are installed and running.
  2. Select MeshDash version & fill connection details.
  3. Click "Generate Docker Files".
  4. Create a new empty directory on your host machine (e.g., `mesh-dash-docker`).
  5. Save the generated `Dockerfile` content into a file named exactly `Dockerfile` (no extension) inside that new directory.
  6. Save the generated `docker-compose.yml` content into a file named exactly `docker-compose.yml` inside the same directory.
  7. Open a terminal or command prompt **inside that directory**.
  8. Run `docker compose build` (or `docker-compose build` if using older compose). This will download the `install.sh` script, attempt to fix it, and run it inside the image. This may take some time. Watch for errors.
  9. Run `docker compose up -d` (or `docker-compose up -d`) to start MeshDash in the background.
  10. Access MeshDash in your browser at `http://:` (e.g., `http://localhost:8080` if running Docker locally on the default port 8080).
  11. To stop: Run `docker compose down` in the same directory.

Note: The Web Server Binding Address inside the container is automatically set to `0.0.0.0` by the `install.sh` script when passed via the `WEBSERVER_PORT` argument in the Dockerfile.

Generate a one-line command to install MeshDash on Windows using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with a Debian-based distribution like Ubuntu.

Setting up WSL

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you run a genuine Linux environment directly on Windows. Use Ubuntu (installed by default with the command below) for best compatibility.

  1. Install WSL & Ubuntu: Open **PowerShell** or **Command Prompt** as **Administrator** (Right-click Start -> Terminal (Admin)). Run the command: wsl --install. Follow any prompts. A system restart is usually required.
  2. First-Time Ubuntu Setup: After restarting, find and launch **Ubuntu** from the Windows Start Menu. It will perform a one-time setup. You'll be prompted to create a **Linux username** and **password** (these are separate from your Windows login).
  3. Ready to Install: Once you see the Ubuntu command prompt (e.g., user@hostname:~$), you can proceed with generating and running the installation command below within this Ubuntu terminal.

Note: If `wsl --install` doesn't install Ubuntu, use wsl --install -d Ubuntu in an Admin terminal first. You can check installed distributions with wsl -l -v.

System Requirements (within WSL): Python 3.9+ required (installer attempts to install it in the WSL environment).

View detailed Python dependencies (auto-installed)

Your Meshtastic device must be:

Configured & working (Firmware 2.6+ Recommended)
Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Windows computer
Mesh Dash is in early release. Feedback welcome!

Choose the version to install inside WSL. Latest is recommended.

The IP address of your Meshtastic device on your local network.

Usually 4403. Change only if you modified the device config.

Use 0.0.0.0 for all network interfaces within WSL, or specify a specific WSL IP.

Port to access MeshDash from your Windows browser (e.g., http://localhost:8080). WSL forwards ports automatically.

Starts MeshDash automatically within WSL. Requires recent WSL versions with systemd enabled. Select "No" if unsure or running manually is preferred.

How to use (WSL):

  1. Ensure WSL and Ubuntu are set up (see above).
  2. Select desired MeshDash version.
  3. Fill in device & server details.
  4. Click "Generate WSL Install Command".
  5. Copy the generated command below.
  6. Paste and run it inside your **Ubuntu WSL terminal**.
  7. If systemd was set to 'Yes', it should start automatically after install/reboot. If 'No', navigate to the install dir (`~/mesh-dash`) and run manually (`./run_meshdash.sh`).
  8. Access in your Windows browser via `http://localhost:` (e.g., http://localhost:8080).

Note: Requires internet access within WSL and potentially `sudo` privileges for the Linux user you created.

WSL install command copied to clipboard!

Download a Windows batch installer (.bat) to set up MeshDash directly on your Windows system.

This method attempts to install Python and dependencies natively on Windows.

System Requirements: Python 3.9+ required (installer attempts to install it from Python.org or Microsoft Store). Administrator rights needed.

View detailed Python dependencies (auto-installed)

Your Meshtastic device must be:

Configured & working (Firmware 2.6+ Recommended)
Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Windows computer
Mesh Dash is in early release. Feedback welcome!

Choose the version to embed in the installer script.

The IP address of your Meshtastic device on your local network (or leave blank if running on the same machine).

Usually 4403. Change only if you modified the device config.

Use 0.0.0.0 for all network interfaces, or specify an IP (e.g., 127.0.0.1 for local only).

Port to access MeshDash in your browser (e.g., http://localhost:8080).

How to use (Windows Native):

  1. Select desired MeshDash version.
  2. Fill in device & server details.
  3. Click "Download Windows Installer (.bat)".
  4. Save the `.bat` file to your computer (e.g., Downloads).
  5. Important: Right-click the downloaded `.bat` file and select "Run as administrator". Windows Defender or antivirus might show a warning because it's a script; you may need to allow it to run.
  6. The script will open a command prompt window and attempt to:
    • Check for/install Python 3.9+.
    • Download the MeshDash zip file.
    • Create a virtual environment.
    • Install required Python packages.
    • Configure MeshDash.
    • Optionally create a scheduled task to run on startup.
  7. Follow any on-screen prompts in the command window.
  8. Once finished, access MeshDash in your browser using the configured host/port (e.g., http://localhost:8080).

Note: Requires internet connection and administrator privileges. The installer handles Python setup, dependencies, and configuration.