Hermes 🎮

A custom Raspberry Pi 4-powered handheld game streaming console with seamless Xbox 360 controller navigation.

Hermes transforms your Raspberry Pi 4 into a portable game streaming device, letting you play PC games wirelessly via Steam Link, Moonlight, or Parsec. Built with a console-style interface optimized for handheld gaming.

✨ Features

🎯 Complete Gaming Interface

• Home Screen: Quick access to streaming, settings, and library
• Start Streaming: Launch Steam Link, Moonlight, or Parsec with one click
• Game Library: Browse and launch games with responsive grid layout
• System Settings: Full control over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, and system status

🎮 Xbox 360 Controller Support

• Seamless Navigation: D-Pad and Left Stick for menu navigation
• Intuitive Controls: A=Select, B=Back, with visual focus indicators
• Real-time Feedback: Smooth animations and clear focus rings
• Context-aware: Adapts to different screen layouts (grid vs linear)

🔧 Raspberry Pi Integration

• Wi-Fi Management: Scan, connect, and manage wireless networks
• Bluetooth Control: Pair controllers and manage Bluetooth devices
• Volume Control: Real-time audio adjustment with visual feedback
• System Monitoring: CPU temperature, battery level, and signal strength
• Auto-startup: Optional systemd service for boot-to-console experience

🎨 Modern UI/UX

• Console-style Design: Clean, gaming-focused interface
• Responsive Layout: Optimized for handheld screens
• Smooth Animations: Framer Motion transitions between screens
• Beautiful Styling: Custom background and focus effects

🚀 Setup on Raspberry Pi 4

Prerequisites

You'll need a fresh Raspberry Pi OS installation and an internet connection.

1. Install System Dependencies

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install required packages
sudo apt install -y \
    steamlink \
    alsa-utils \
    network-manager \
    bluetooth \
    bluez \
    bluez-tools \
    i2c-tools \
    wireless-tools \
    curl \
    git

2. Install Node.js 18+

# Install Node.js via NodeSource
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

# Verify installation
node --version  # Should show v18.x.x
npm --version   # Should show 9.x.x or higher

3. Clone and Deploy Hermes

# Clone the repository
cd ~
git clone https://github.com/YourUsername/htn.git hermes
cd hermes

# Run the deployment script
chmod +x deploy_to_pi.sh
./deploy_to_pi.sh

The deployment script will:

• Set proper permissions on all scripts
• Install Node.js dependencies
• Build the application
• Create a systemd service for auto-startup
• Configure the system for optimal performance

4. Connect Your Xbox 360 Controller

Wired Controller:

# Plug in via USB - should work automatically
# Test with: jstest /dev/input/js0

Wireless Controller:

# Put controller in pairing mode (hold Xbox + pair buttons)
sudo bluetoothctl
> scan on
> pair [CONTROLLER_MAC_ADDRESS]
> trust [CONTROLLER_MAC_ADDRESS]  
> connect [CONTROLLER_MAC_ADDRESS]
> exit

5. Start Hermes

Manual start:

cd ~/hermes/hermes-desktop
npm run start

Auto-start service:

# Enable auto-start on boot
sudo systemctl enable hermes.service
sudo systemctl start hermes.service

# Check status
sudo systemctl status hermes.service

🎮 Usage

1. Power on your Raspberry Pi with Hermes installed
2. Connect your Xbox 360 controller (wired or wireless)
3. Navigate using D-Pad or Left Stick
4. Select items with A button, go back with B button
5. Configure Wi-Fi and settings from the Settings screen
6. Launch Steam Link or other streaming services from Start Streaming

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Steam Link not launching?

# Test Steam Link manually
steamlink --help
# Or try Flatpak version
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamLink

Controller not detected?

# Check for connected controllers
jstest /dev/input/js0
# Or list all input devices  
ls /dev/input/js*

Wi-Fi not working?

# Test Wi-Fi script manually
./wifi_manage.sh status
./wifi_manage.sh list

Audio issues?

# Test volume control
python3 ./volume_control.py
# Or check ALSA
amixer get Master

🔧 Development

On Windows (for development):

cd .\hermes-desktop
npm install
npm run dev

Build for production:

npm run build

📁 Project Structure

htn/
├── hermes-desktop/          # Electron + React app
│   ├── src/                 # Frontend source code
│   ├── electron-main.js     # Main Electron process
│   └── package.json         # Dependencies and scripts
├── open_steam_link.sh       # Steam Link launcher script
├── wifi_manage.sh          # Wi-Fi management script
├── volume_control.py       # Volume control script
├── battery_status.py       # Battery monitoring script
└── deploy_to_pi.sh         # Automated deployment script

📝 License

MIT License - feel free to modify and distribute for your own handheld projects!

• Xbox controllers work great on Raspberry Pi OS with proper USB/Bluetooth setup

Technical Architecture

Gamepad System

• useGamepadNavigation: Polls navigator.getGamepads() at 60fps
• useFocus/FocusProvider: Context-based focus management
• useFocusable: Hook for making components gamepad-navigable
• Xbox 360 Button Mapping: Industry-standard controller layout

Navigation Flow

1. Controller input → gamepad hook
2. Focus system processes navigation
3. Visual focus updates with smooth transitions
4. A/B buttons trigger actions or screen changes

Backend Integration

The backend is fully wired via Electron IPC:

• Steam Link: Launch via window.hermes.steamlinkLaunch()
• Volume Control: Get/set via window.hermes.volume.*
• Wi-Fi Management: Connect/status via window.hermes.wifi.*
• Bluetooth: Pair/connect via window.hermes.bt.*

All backend calls work on Raspberry Pi with graceful Windows fallbacks.

Usage Tips

1. First Time: Connect controller before launching
2. Navigation: Use D-pad or left stick to move around
3. Selection: Press A to select items, B to go back
4. Visual Cues: Green focus ring shows current selection
5. Smooth Movement: Focus animations help track your position