dark-matrix is an open-source control system for the Framework Laptop 16's dual 9×34 LED Matrix Input Modules, developed by community member heckseven. It is built as a persistent TypeScript/Node.js daemon driving both modules over USB serial, paired with a browser-based web UI called the Deck for configuration, animation editing, HUD presets, audio visualization, video display, and games. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.
The Drumpad Input Module is a custom input module for the Framework Laptop 16 created by community member Pitstoptech. It replaces an input module slot with velocity-sensitive drum pads, turning the Framework 16 into a portable music production tool.
Dual LED Matrix Realtime Audio Visualizer is a script that captures system audio and displays stereo frequency bars simultaneously on both the left and right Framework 16 LED Matrix Input Modules. Developed by community member Seren (GitHub: 0xSeren), it was released on March 22, 2026 — a feature the author says they had wanted "since the framework 16 modules were first originally showcased".
The Framework 16 E-Paper Module is a community-developed e-paper display that fits beneath the Framework Laptop 16's macro pad or numpad in the palm rest area. Created by snowball (BBBSnowball) and published in May 2024, it uses a Waveshare 3.7" e-paper display with a resistive touchscreen, connected to the laptop via a custom flex PCB that taps into the input module's secondary pogo pin connector.
The Framework Laptop 16 is a larger, performance-oriented laptop announced at the Next Level event in March 2023. It features an expansion bay that can attach PCIe components such as a dedicated GPU, a fully customizable keyboard with interchangeable input modules and optional numpad, and 6 expansion card slots. Initially planned to ship in Q4 2023, it began shipping in February 2024 with AMD Ryzen 7040 series processors. It was named a TIME Best Invention of 2023.
Framework LED Matrix Python Tool is a Python command-line suite for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix modules, developed by community member mariobx (with contributions from mariom6). It was created for programming novices to run "cool simulations" and visual experiments on the dual 9×34 LED matrix beyond the simple boot animations, after the author was surprised by the lack of available tooling at the time of purchase. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0.
Framework Missing Keys is a community project to add the four missing navigation keys — PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End — to the Framework Laptop 16 by building a custom input module using Framework's One Key Module developer program. Created by community member Matthew and documented on Hackaday, the project began in February 2026 after the creator received One Key Modules directly from Framework through the developer program.
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 usage.
FW16 LED Matrix Visualizer is a real-time PC-audio visualizer and pixel-art animation player for the Framework Laptop 16's dual LED Matrix Input Modules, developed by community member Imdad3456. It talks to the two 9×34 modules directly over serial (no ledmatrixctl calls in the hot loop) for fast, responsive updates, and runs persistently in the background via a system-tray app that survives reboots through a Windows Scheduled Task. It is Windows 10/11 only and licensed under MIT.
FW16 Pong Wars is a Rust-based game for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Modules, inspired by the original Pong Wars by Koen van Gilst. Developed by community member boobcactus, it runs a competitive ball-bouncing game directly on the 9x34 LED matrix panels, supporting both single-module (9x34) and dual-module (18x34) display modes.
fw16-led-matrixd is an open-source, cross-platform daemon and CLI for controlling the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Modules, developed by community member Sabrina Andersen (GitHub: NukingDragons). Written in Rust, it fully implements Framework's LED Matrix serial API and provides both a background daemon (fw16-led-matrixd) and a command-line client (ledcli) for scripting and automation.
fw16-ledvu is an audio visualizer for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix modules that displays a real-time VU/equalizer driven from PipeWire audio via CAVA (Console Audio Visualizer). Developed by community member Jack Burch (GitHub: JackMBurch), it runs as a lightweight systemd user service on Linux and writes directly to the LED Matrix modules over persistent serial connections for low-latency updates.
HandyWork is an ergonomic keyboard project for the Framework 16 by Axel Voitier, designed as a custom input module with staggered columnar layouts. It proposes 8 different layouts fitting the A1 design space, from a minimalist 36-key (5×3) Miryoku-compatible layout up to a 50-key (6×4) layout for users who prefer fewer layers.
This project has been merged into Framework Deck. All features are now part of Framework Deck's Keyboard module. The standalone repository is archived for historical reference.
LED Matrix Controllers is a JavaScript/TypeScript library providing cross-firmware controllers for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Module, developed by Jacob Padgett (GitHub: jpadgett314). The library abstracts the differences between three LED matrix firmwares — the official Framework firmware, sparkle-fw16, and sigroot's firmware — behind a unified API using the WebHID and Web Serial APIs.
LED Matrix Monitoring (ledmatrixmonitoring) is a system metrics visualization service for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Module, developed by community member Igor (GitHub: night-crawler). Written in Rust, it collects system metrics — CPU usage, memory, disk I/O, network, temperature, and battery — renders them as PNG images, and sends them to the companion LED Matrix Daemon for display on the 9x34 LED matrix.
LED Matrix Vocab (also titled "LED Matrix Word Randomizer") is a web-based Japanese vocabulary study tool for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix modules, developed by community member Jacob Padgett (GitHub: jpadgett314). It periodically displays a random Japanese word on the LED Matrix modules, turning idle screen real estate into a passive language-learning aid. The app is available as a live demo and can be installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for offline desktop use.
The LEGO Framework Laptop Concept is a brick-built model of a Framework laptop created by Reddit user u/Crazygoat1000, made entirely from LEGO pieces with removable parts — a playful tribute to Framework's modular design philosophy.
The Piano Keyboard Input Module is a custom input module for the Framework Laptop 16 created by community member Pitstoptech. It features velocity-sensitive keys that function as a MIDI controller, turning the input deck into a musical instrument.
sigroot FW LED Matrix Firmware is an alternate firmware for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Module, written in Arduino/C++ by sigroot. It was created to address two limitations of the official FrameworkComputer/inputmodule-rs firmware: the inability to produce all 256 brightness levels and difficulty developing with the provided interface software.
The Single Piece Touchpad Module is a 3D-printed replacement for the Framework Laptop 16's multi-piece touchpad row, eliminating the visible seams and gaps between the touchpad module and its surrounding spacers. Created by community member Joseph_Schroedl (RosePeach on Printables) in July 2024, it was the first community solution to address the widely discussed touchpad spacer gap problem.
sparkle-fw16 is an alternate firmware for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Module, written in C using the RP2040 Pico SDK. Developed by vddCore, it was created as a leaner alternative to the official FrameworkComputer/inputmodule-rs firmware, which the author found had "too many useless features" and was written in Rust, a language they disliked.
The ThinkPad Keyboard Mod is a collaborative community project to adapt Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with TrackPoint pointing sticks for use in Framework laptops. Initiated by Harley Godfrey in October 2023 for the Framework Laptop 13 using a ThinkPad T480s keyboard, the project expanded significantly when C. Scott Ananian began a parallel effort targeting the Framework Laptop 16 with a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 keyboard, producing working hardware prototypes and open-source firmware.
The Touchscreen E-Paper Input Module is an open-source hardware input module for the Framework Laptop 16, created by community member arthomnix. It features a touchscreen e-paper display that fits as a medium-sized input module, featured on the Framework 16 product page and at the Framework 2nd Gen Event.
The Whiteboard Input Module is a simple DIY modification by community member henrytr that turns the Framework Laptop 16's spacer modules into usable dry-erase whiteboard surfaces.