The LibreDeck Project Turns a Pocket-Sized Round AMOLED Display Into a Classy Macro Controller

The traditional pocket watch is an invention that has largely faded into history, primarily replaced by the omnipresent smartphone that rests in nearly everyone’s hand or pocket at all hours of the day. But as technology cycles back through vintage aesthetics and modern hardware miniaturization, makers are continually finding clever ways to repurpose classic form factors for modern utility. A newly showcased DIY gadget proves this concept brilliantly, taking the core functionality of a macro controller—similar to popular production tools like the Elgato Stream Deck—and housing it inside a stylish, round, pocket-sized display reminiscent of a classic pocket watch.

The innovative project was recently detailed on the ESP32 community forum by creator Víctor Santiago Martínez Picardo. Known as LibreDeck, the system began its life as a modest software tool designed to simplify and streamline AutoHotkey scripts on Windows computers. Over time, however, the project steadily expanded its horizons, morphing from a simple desktop macro utility into a multi-platform ecosystem. Martínez Picardo explained that the evolution of LibreDeck eventually led to the development of a dedicated Android client, which was followed by a specialized desktop interface built explicitly for secondary touchscreen displays.

As the developer experimented with different ways to render the user interface smoothly, they turned to the Godot game engine. Although Godot is primarily recognized for its capabilities in video game development, Martínez Picardo found that the engine proved surprisingly useful and versatile for crafting touch-friendly applications featuring custom, highly responsive user interfaces.

The next logical step in the evolution of the LibreDeck ecosystem was to explore whether the software could break free from traditional host screens altogether, running independently on a dedicated, standalone hardware device without needing to rely on an active smartphone connection or a secondary computer monitor. To achieve this, the creator selected the Waveshare ESP32-S3 Touch AMOLED 1.75C. This particular hardware component struck an ideal balance, offering a compact, genuinely pocket-sized footprint while still retaining enough screen estate and resolution to display functional, touch-responsive macro buttons.

Because the chosen Waveshare hardware features a circular screen design rather than a conventional rectangular panel, the finished gadget naturally evokes the appearance of a modern, high-tech pocket watch. The end result is a sleek, highly portable remote control that a user can easily slide out of their pocket at a moment’s notice. With a few taps on the circular touchscreen, operators can control whatever applications, media triggers, smart devices, or custom scripts they have wired up to the LibreDeck system.

For technology enthusiasts, makers, and DIY hobbyists interested in exploring the technical architecture behind the project or attempting to build a similar macro control device of their own, Martínez Picardo has made the project open source. Comprehensive documentation, source code, and further details regarding the hardware and software configuration can be found by visiting the official LibreDeck repository hosted on GitHub.