Framework16 LED Matrix Manager
Framework16 LED Matrix Manager is an open-source GUI application for controlling the LED Matrix Input Module on the Framework Laptop 16, developed by community member Fabian Fuchs (GitHub: FabulousCodingFox). Written in C++ with a Qt interface, it provides a native desktop tool for drawing, configuring presets, and managing the 9x34 LED display panels without requiring a web browser or command-line usage1.
The project is licensed under the Boost Software License 1.0 and builds using Nix for reproducible dependency management1.
Background
The Framework Laptop 16 supports hot-swappable Input Modules that slot into the keyboard deck. One of these is the LED Matrix Input Module — a 9x34 (306 LED) monochrome display panel driven by an RP2040 microcontroller and an IS31FL3741A LED controller, communicating with the host over USB ACM Serial2. Framework provides official control tools including a Rust CLI (inputmodule-control), a Python library (framework16-inputmodule), and a Chromium-based web app at ledmatrix.frame.work34.
Framework16 LED Matrix Manager was created to offer a standalone native GUI alternative, optimized for GNU/Linux, with first-class Nix support1.
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| GUI toolkit | Qt (native desktop) |
| Language | C++ (92%), Nix (5%), CMake (3%) |
| Drawing | Pixel-level drawing on the 9x34 grid |
| Presets | Built-in pattern presets |
| Platform | GNU/Linux x86-64 (primary); Windows not yet supported |
| Build system | Nix + CMake |
| License | Boost Software License 1.0 |
Installation
Nix (recommended)
Clone the repository and enter the Nix development shell1:
git clone https://github.com/FabulousCodingFox/framework16-led-matrix-manager.git
cd framework16-led-matrix-manager
nix develop
Run directly with:
nix run
Pre-built binary
Pre-built artifacts for GNU/Linux x86-64 are available from the GitHub releases page. These require Qt to be installed on the host system1.
Releases
| Version | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v0.0.1 | January 2025 | Initial pre-release |
| v0.0.2 | February 9, 2025 | Latest pre-release |
Both releases are marked as pre-release. The project is in early development1.
Related Projects
| Project | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| inputmodule-control | CLI (Rust) | Official command-line tool for controlling all FW16 input modules3 |
| framework16-inputmodule | Python library | Official Python library and GUI for LED Matrix control3 |
| dotmatrixtool | Web app | Official browser-based drawing tool (Chromium required)4 |
| FLEM | GUI | Community LED matrix management tool5 |
| Framework Deck | GUI (Tauri) | All-in-one Framework companion with LED matrix editor6 |
| led_matrix_daemon | Daemon (Rust) | Background service for rendering images to the LED matrix7 |
| fw16-ledvu | Service (Python) | PipeWire/CAVA audio visualizer for the LED matrix8 |
| FW_LED_Matrix_Firmware | Firmware | Alternative Arduino-based firmware with full 256 brightness levels9 |
Source Code
The source code is available on GitHub at FabulousCodingFox/framework16-led-matrix-manager under the Boost Software License 1.01. The same author also maintains awesome-framework, a curated list of Framework community projects and companion software10.