Run Bitfeed on an integrated node screen

Instructions for running Bitfeed on a screen attached to your linux-based home node.

Prerequisites

ssh into your node and install the following dependencies

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg xinit awesome chromium

Run Bitfeed on the primary attached screen

sudo startx & sleep 10 ; sudo DISPLAY=:0 /usr/bin/chromium --no-sandbox --noerrdialogs --disable-infobars --enable-features=OverlayScrollbar --kiosk http://127.0.0.1:8314 &

Launch Bitfeed on an attached screen automatically on startup

Edit your root crontab

sudo crontab -e

and add this line at the end of the file:

@reboot sleep 30 ; startx & sleep 10 ; DISPLAY=:0 /usr/bin/chromium --no-sandbox --noerrdialogs --disable-infobars --enable-features=OverlayScrollbar --kiosk http://127.0.0.1:8314 &

Configure settings

From v2.2.1, Bitfeed supports the following URL parameters for configuration:

param	type	default	comment
vbytes	boolean	false	enable "size by vbytes" mode
colorByFee	boolean	false	enable "color by fee rate" mode
blocksEnabled	boolean	true	show latest block visualization (false recommended for very small screens)
darkMode	boolean	true	enable dark mode
showNetworkStatus	boolean	true	show the network status indicator (false recommended for very small screens)
showFx	boolean	true	show the current fiat exchange rate
currency	string	USD	set the fiat currency by 3 letter currency code
showMessages	boolean	true	show the message bar/carousel

Use like http://127.0.0.1:8314?vbytes&showNetworkstatus=false&currency=EUR

Troubleshooting

Stop the ride, I want to get off!

sudo pkill chromium

Then remove the line from crontab (sudo crontab -e) to disable launch-on-startup.

The screen goes blank after a few minutes!

Add the following lines to /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc:

@xset s noblank
@xset s off
@xset -dpms

I can't see any squares

Check that the Bitfeed server is running and connected (look for a green light at the top left of the page, and see if the Mempool Count above the dotted white line is changing)

If so, your device probably has WebGL graphics disabled. See Enable WebGL.

Otherwise, check the Home Node Troubleshooting page.

Enable WebGL

Some devices (particularly Raspberry Pi's older or less powerful than the 4 Model B board) have WebGL/OpenGL support disabled by default.

Run sudo raspi-config, select Advanced Options ⮕ GL Driver, then either Full KMS or Fake KMS

Refresh the page

Use xdotools to refresh the page without restarting Chromium:

Install sudo apt-get install xdotools

Run DISPLAY=:0 xdotool getactivewindow key F5

Warning!

Chromium is very resource-intensive, especially on larger screens. Keep an eye on your node's CPU temperature!