Quick Start¶
Follow the steps below to get a SquishBox up and running quickly. Some or all of the hardware steps can be skipped by purchasing a kit or fully assembled unit from the Geek Funk Labs store.
Fabricating PCB and Enclosure¶
The PCB fabrication files include only the surface-mount components for automated assembly. Through-hole components are intended to be sourced separately and soldered by hand.
Load the enclosure model files in hardware/enclosure/ into your preferred
slicer software for 3D printing. All parts are designed to print flat-side
down without supports.
Three enclosure variants are provided:
basic — Fits Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. A Raspberry Pi 5 can fit, but not with the standard fan installed.
deluxe — Fits Pi 3/4 and adds mounting points for two momentary footswitches and two LEDs, which can be connected to the P1 header on the SquishBox PCB.
mini — Fits Raspberry Pi Model A+, with an enlarged cutout to accommodate wide USB cables or adapters.
Recommended print notes:
PLA is sufficient, though other materials may be used for specific traits
Infill is not critical due to the small internal volume
Use at least 2–3 wall layers for good strength
Putting it Together¶
Insert the through-hole components from the side of the PCB with the matching silkscreen outlines, then solder them in place.
Install the LCD module last, as it blocks access to several other solder points.
Mount the completed PCB into the enclosure by passing the rotary encoder shaft and audio jacks through the corresponding openings, then secure them with the included washers and nuts.
Install the Raspberry Pi by plugging its GPIO header into the 2x20 socket, then fasten the lid in place.
Installing the Software¶
The SquishBox software is targeted for a Pi 3B+/4 running Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit, based on Debian 13 “Trixie”) or newer. To install on a fresh or existing system, log in as a regular user and run:
bash <(curl -sL geekfunklabs.com/squishbox)
Answer the prompts, wait for the installation to complete, then reboot the Pi to activate the LCD and control interface.
Basic Usage¶
On first boot, the SquishBox launches a menu system for starting apps or changing system settings.
Controls:
Turn the rotary encoder to move through menu items
Tap the encoder to confirm a selection
Press and hold the encoder to cancel or return to the previous screen
To safely power down before disconnecting power, choose Shutdown from the Exit menu.