Build Your Wdeck

Bill of Materials

Everything you need on your desk before starting the build.

ESP32 Core

WROOM-32 DevKit V1

1x Module

BUY MODULE

3.5" Touchscreen

ILI9488 SPI TFT (Capacitive)

1x Display

BUY DISPLAY

M3 Hardware

5x M3x14mm Countersunk

Fasteners

LOCAL STORE

3D Printed Parts

Enclosure STL Files

3D Geometry

PRINTABLES

Tools & Workspace

Prepare your workbench with these essential tools for a smooth assembly.

Case Printing

Quality starts with the base. Print the provided STL files using PETG for superior heat resistance and durability.

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 20% Gyroid
• Supports: Build plate only

Internal Mounting & Alignment

Glue the ESP32 board in place using adhesive. Make sure that the micro-USB or USB-C connector aligns perfectly with the opening in the plastic shell.

Let the board bond securely in place so it remains stable when plugging and unplugging the USB cable.

Enclosure Closure & Hardware

Place the display into the front cover and seat it firmly in position. Then place the bottom part with the already-glued ESP32 on top of it.

Secure the two halves together with 4× M3 screws. Make sure everything aligns before tightening.

Wiring checklist

Connect the ESP32 to the screen using the checklist below.

Disassemble Front Cover

At this stage, the front cover needs to be removed again. Unfortunately this step cannot be skipped — the display calibration must be performed before final assembly and it is not possible to access the calibration while the case is fully closed.

The reason wiring was done with the front cover attached was intentional: routing the cables inside the shell while it was assembled ensures everything fits correctly. If you had routed the cables freely outside the enclosure first, they likely would not fit neatly once closed. Now simply unscrew the front cover, perform the calibration in the next steps, and reassemble afterwards.

Bezel & Display Assembly

Mount the 3.5" touchscreen module into the front bezel. Slide the display in from the back side of the front cover. It should sit flat against the display window without any gap. Gentle pressure around the plastic edge will snap it into position.

Be extremely cautious not to apply pressure directly to the center of the TFT screen or the glass touch panel to prevent cracking. Make sure the display ribbon cables are laying naturally and are not twisted or pinched under the plastic frame.

Internal Wire Routing

Lay out the connecting wires along the side channels inside the case. A messy layout can prevent the shell from closing or pinch a cable, causing a short circuit. Use small tweezers to tuck the wires into the integrated channels.

Ensure that the capacitive touch panel ribbon cable is not bent at a sharp angle. Try to separate the high-frequency SPI signal lines (SCK, MOSI, CS) from power lines to avoid electrical noise that could degrade touch responsiveness or cause display glitching.

Touch Screen Calibration

Plug in a micro-USB/USB-C cable connected to your computer to boot the Wdeck for the first time. On boot, the display will load the calibration wizard. Using a plastic stylus or a non-scratching pointer, click precisely on the center of the flashing crosshairs.

This process aligns the touch panel coordinates with the display grid. The calibration parameters are saved automatically to the ESP32 non-volatile storage (NVS) so they are preserved across power cycles. If the touch alignment ever feels off, you can re-trigger this menu inside the device settings.

App Installation

Download the Wdeck desktop application for Windows to configure your device.

Hotkey Button

Map any keyboard shortcut to a physical button using the Hotkey type. Record multi-key combinations like Ctrl+Shift+S or Win+D and execute them instantly with a single tap on your Wdeck.

Works with every application that accepts keyboard input — from creative tools like Photoshop and Premiere Pro to productivity apps, games, and system shortcuts. No driver installation needed; it simulates a real keyboard directly.

Folder

Organize your macro pad into logical groups using the Folder button type. Tap a folder to navigate into a sub-page with up to 15 additional buttons — perfect for separating workspaces, apps, or scenes.

Each folder automatically creates a dedicated sub-page and places a Back button so you can always return to the parent layout. Drag and drop buttons freely within a folder, and assign a custom icon or color to make it instantly recognizable on screen.

Launch App Button

Launch any app, file, or script with a single button press. Simply pick an already-running process from a list, or point the button to any executable path — Wdeck takes care of the rest.

Perfect for your DAW, browser, game launcher, or custom batch scripts. Command-line arguments are fully supported too, so you can open a specific project or start a server with one tap.

Web / URL Button

Open any website, local URL, or deep link directly from your Wdeck using the Web button. Assign a full URL and it will launch instantly in your default browser with a single touch.

Use it to jump straight to your most visited dashboards, social media feeds, or streaming pages. It also works with custom protocol links — like opening a specific Discord channel, a Spotify playlist, or a local network admin panel.

App Volume Button

Take precise control over the audio output of individual applications with the App Volume button. Select any running process — your browser, game, Discord, Spotify — and assign dedicated volume up, volume down, or mute toggle buttons directly on your Wdeck.

The button dynamically fetches the application's current icon and displays it with a volume badge overlay, so you always know which app you're controlling at a glance. No more diving into Windows Volume Mixer — it's all accessible with one touch.

Discord Button

Integrate your Wdeck directly with Discord using the dedicated Discord button types. Mute or unmute your microphone, toggle deafen, leave a voice channel, or display who is currently speaking — all from your hardware macro pad.

The Discord integration connects through the official Discord RPC protocol. Once authorized, your Wdeck stays in sync with your voice session in real time — the mute button lights up red when and reacts instantly to state changes without any delay.

One-Click Firmware Flashing

Updating your hardware is simple. Open the Flash Menu inside the Wdeck desktop application. The system scans your COM ports, automatically fetches the latest stable firmware build, and compiles it.

Click the 'Flash' button to upload the update to your ESP32. There is no need to set up the Arduino IDE or write any code—everything is handled in the background by the companion application.