My DIY E-Ink reader now syncs books and reading progress with a self-hosted library
A bit more progress on my little green reader. It's OctoFox Book, built around a 4.7-inch LILYGO T5 e-Paper S3, with microSD, three navigation buttons and a separate sleep button. I designed the case for 3D printing.
The big change is that the reader and its library now work together. I can upload a book to OctoFox Library, read in a browser, send it to the reader over Wi-Fi, then keep reading offline. On the physical device I've checked downloads, reading-position sync both ways, and picking up a bookmark made on the website.
On the reader
- A new home screen, library shelves, search and collections.
- Larger text and page-by-page lists, with E-Ink refresh/cleanup adjusted on the real panel.
- Short OK to open, double OK to go back, hold OK to move to the tabs.
- Wi-Fi selection and password entry using the buttons.
- A sync screen showing the current step and progress, plus deep sleep and low-battery protection.
On the computer or phone
The library is usable by itself: FB2/EPUB uploads, personal collections, bookmarks, browser reading and server-side text-to-speech. Companion handles setup, accounts, backups and pairing the reader. You don't need the hardware to use the library.
The gallery has both new and earlier device photos, plus real library screenshots and screen captures from the reader. The green case is the actual build.
There are now server installers for Windows/Linux and a Companion app for Windows/macOS/Linux, plus RC2 firmware and printable case files. It's still a release candidate: syncing is slower than I'd like, and I'm continuing to work on setup and everyday use. This is a DIY project, so the downloads aren't an order for an assembled reader.
Discord for questions and feedback
Happy to answer questions here about the build. If you've made or used a button-only reader, I'd especially like to hear what makes navigating a larger library comfortable for you.
Disclosure: I used AI assistance to turn my development notes into this English post. The screenshots and device photos show the actual project.