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title Meet Pocketbyte
sidebarTitle Introduction
description Learn what it is, who it's for, and how to get building.
These docs are incomplete. I am actively working on them as we speak.

Pocketbyte Dev Kit

Pocketbyte is a modular handheld indie computer that can be used as a game console, PDA, music player, and much more. You can run apps made by others and build your own. It also has a modular controller port meaning you can swap between gamepads, keyboards, and more.

Who It's For

Pocketbyte is built for people who want to make things, and also have fun! You'll find it a great fit if you are:

  • An indie game developer looking for a tangible, portable target platform to create original games on real hardware. No Unity here.
  • A student or self-directed learner exploring embedded systems, C programming, or game development in a hands-on environment.
  • A maker or engineer who wants to build interactive devices — not just games, but tools, toys, and experiments — using a purpose-built portable platform.
  • A digital minimalist or tech enthusiast who wants a cool, playful, multi-functional device for their every day carry. Possibly to play music or write notes.

What You Can Build

Because Pocketbyte is open-source, your software is only limited by the hardware capabilities and your imagination. Common use cases include:

  • Games — arcade-style games, puzzle games, platformers, top-down games, turn-based games, or really anything! 3D graphics are also possible thanks to our friends in the UK.
  • Interactive apps — utilities, graphing calculators, music sequencers, text editors, wireless messaging platforms, or any application that benefits from a small portable form factor.
  • Educational tools — interactive demos, simulations, or learning aids that you can carry around and share.

Key Features

Attach different physical input modules to change your control scheme — a d-pad, Blackberry keyboard, or custom layouts — without changing your device. Write your games and apps in C using the official Pocketbyte library. The API covers display, input, audio, and much more. The Pocketbyte library is an ESP-IDF managed component. Add it to any IDF project with one command and use the full power of the ESP-IDF ecosystem. You control the software entirely. There is no locked bootloader, no mandatory storefront — flash whatever you build directly to the device. Pocketbyte runs on the ESP32-S3, a dual-core Xtensa LX7 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. All apps are written in C and built using the ESP-IDF framework. Familiarity with C and basic embedded development concepts will help you get the most out of the platform.

What's in These Docs

These docs are organized to take you from unboxing to building:

Get your toolchain set up and your first app running on the device. Understand the processor, display, input system, audio, and connectivity. Step-by-step walkthroughs for common tasks, like building your first game. Complete documentation for every function in the Pocketbyte C SDK.

Start with the Quickstart if you want to get something running right away, or read the Hardware Overview if you want to understand the platform before you write a single line of code.