Open-source desk hardware

Build your own busy sign.

A tiny touchscreen status display for focus work, meetings and deep work — powered by ESP32-C6, 3D-printable cases and firmware you can actually remix.

Early preview. No spam — just BOM, firmware notes, enclosure files and release updates.

No proprietary app lock-in Local-first control Weekend maker project

Open Busy Sign prototype showing FOCUS on a desk

Headphones are not a status system.

They hint that you might be busy. They do not clearly say whether you are in flow, on a call, free or taking a break.

Enterprise apps are blocked.

Commercial busy signs often need desktop or mobile apps — exactly the thing many corporate machines do not allow.

Maker projects should not look cheap.

This is designed as a polished little desk object: useful, open, slightly weird — but not messy breadboard energy.

The idea

A visible signal for the room.

Open Busy Sign turns a small vertical touchscreen board into a clear desk status display. Tap it, power it, configure it locally — then let the room understand your state before people interrupt you.

✓FREE, FOCUS, IN CALL, BRB and fully custom states.

✓ESP32-C6 touchscreen base with USB-C power.

✓3D-printed shells: office-safe, playful, monitor-mounted or wall sign.

Several Open Busy Sign case and status variations — Status modes and printable case directions for the community.

Prototype parts, board, USB-C cable and busy sign on a desk — A tidy weekend build: board, shell, cable, firmware, done.

Build it yourself

The build plan, not another gadget store.

The first release is focused on documentation: a parts list, firmware notes, 3D enclosure files and a clear path from raw board to a working focus signal.

✓BOM and shopping links for the core hardware.

✓Firmware setup notes for flashing and iteration.

✓Case files you can print, fork and remix.

Open hardware

Small enough to build. Open enough to change.

The core is intentionally simple: touchscreen board, diffuser frame, backplate, USB-C power and a printable shell. The point is not a locked product — it is a reference build others can adapt.

Exploded view of Open Busy Sign components

What you get when it drops

BOM, firmware notes, enclosure files, status-screen ideas and integration notes for calendars, Home Assistant and local APIs. The signup list is just to measure interest and send the first build release.

FREEAvailable

FOCUSDeep work

IN CALLMeeting

BRBBack soon

No app-store dependency

The direction is local-first: a tiny web UI for status, text, color and glow settings. That keeps the MVP realistic for offices where installing yet another desktop app is the whole problem.