MeshCore companion radio

What you’re building

MeshCore is a lightweight C++ LoRa mesh-routing system with prebuilt roles for companion radios, repeaters, room servers, secure chat, sensors, and KISS modems. On supported T-Deck hardware, the companion build uses the LoRa radio while exposing the node to a client over BLE, USB, or Wi-Fi, depending on the selected firmware. Messages can travel through fixed-role intermediate nodes without a central server or internet connection. The expected result is an off-grid text-messaging endpoint operated through a supported web, Android, iOS, Node.js, or Python client. Hardware support is defined by the live MeshCore flasher, so the exact T-Deck variant and LoRa band must appear there. Companion nodes deliberately do not repeat traffic, and radio operation must use region-correct frequencies and comply with local rules.

Key steps

1. Open the MeshCore flasher and confirm the exact T-Deck variant is listed as supported.
2. Select the device and flash the Companion firmware role; use Repeater or Room Server only when that fixed role is intended.
3. Reboot the T-Deck and connect with a supported MeshCore client over the transport exposed by that build.
4. Configure the node identity and region-appropriate radio settings in the client or configuration tool.
5. Exchange a test message with another MeshCore node and verify multi-hop delivery only when a repeater is present.