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OpenLED and WLED

There are multiple ways through which you can use OpenLED (and integrate it with your smart home).

One of the ways is using WLED (described on this page) or using ESPHome.
There are other ways as well but these two are probably the easiest.

Depending on your application/project, comfort level and/or personal preference, you might chose to use WLED, ESPHome or some other application.

What is WLED

WLED is open-source project that allows you to easily control NeoPixel (WS2812B, WS2811, SK6812) LEDs or SPI based chipsets like the WS2801 and APA102.

It comes preloaded with tons of effects, pallets, presets and much more.
You can read more about it on the official GitHub repository

How to install WLED on OpenLED

Installing WLED on OpenLED is done through your web browser.

  1. Hold BOOT button on OpenLED board
  2. While still holding the BOOT button, connect the USB-C cable to your OpenLED
  3. OpenLED should appear as a new USB-CDC (serial port) on your PC
  4. In your browser (Chrome) navigate to https://install.wled.me
  5. Select latest stable release and check the Plain button
  6. Click Install button and follow the on-screen prompts
  7. Your board should connect to your WiFi and get an IP address

Basic WLED configuration for OpenLED

Configuring your WLED instance is done through your web browser.

  1. Using your browser connect to your OpenLED by entering it's IP address (ie. 192.168.1.120)
  2. You will be greeted with the WLED dashboard
  3. In the top left corner click on Config
  4. Click on LED preferences
  5. Under Hardware setup, section LED outputs: you should configure
    • The LED type you have connected (ie WS2812)
    • LED Strip color order (RGB, GRB etc)
  6. In the same section, you have to set GPIO to 6
  7. Click on Save button at the bottom of the page
  8. Now if you go back to the WLED dashboard and click on Power (in the top left corner) and increase the brightness (slider in the top right corner) your LEDs should light up