CPython desktop¶

Platform-specific notes for SDL2, PyGame, and OS dependencies. First run: use the Desktop CPython quick start.

Dependencies¶

Install SDL2 development libraries (Linux/macOS) or PyGame (Windows fallback). The desktop quick start links here for OS-specific packages.

Linux (including WSL)¶

Install SDL2 development libraries, then run as above.

Debian / Ubuntu / WSL:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libsdl2-dev python3-venv
git clone https://github.com/PyDevices/pydisplay.git
cd pydisplay/src
python3 -i path.py

Fedora:

sudo dnf install SDL2-devel

If SDL2 fails or is unavailable, use PyGame instead — see PGDisplay fallback below.

macOS¶

brew install sdl2
git clone https://github.com/PyDevices/pydisplay.git
cd pydisplay/src
python3 -i path.py

Windows¶

SDL2 native libraries can be awkward on Windows. Recommended path:

Install Python 3 (check "Add to PATH").
Use PGDisplay (PyGame) instead of SDL2 — see below.
Or develop in WSL with the Linux instructions above.

On Windows and macOS, default multimer.Timer uses a background thread (not SDL timers). Call run_queued() in your main loop so timer callbacks run on the main thread — see multimer.

PGDisplay fallback¶

PyGame is easier to install and avoids some SDL2 issues (especially on Windows and Chromebooks):

pip install pygame

Use the PyGame board config. From a clone, copy or symlink before running:

cp ../board_configs/pgdisplay/board_config.py lib/board_config.py
cd pydisplay/src
python3 -i path.py

Or install via MIP on MicroPython Unix:

mip.install("github:PyDevices/pydisplay/board_configs/pgdisplay")

Config path	Display class
`board_configs/sdldisplay/`	SDL2Display (default `src/lib/board_config.py`)
`board_configs/pgdisplay/`	PGDisplay

MicroPython on Unix¶

Same layout as CPython, but use the MicroPython interpreter:

micropython -i path.py

Install SDL2/PyGame for your OS first; MicroPython Unix builds vary in bundled modules.

Input¶

Mouse events map to touch events. Keyboard and encoder brokers work on desktop the same as on embedded targets.

Single-board computers¶

CircuitPython with Blinka on Raspberry Pi and similar boards is planned but not fully tested. Track progress on the roadmap.