For GitHub Universe 2025 we have partnered with our friends at Pimoroni to create the Tufty Edition of our hackable conference badge. This is a custom version of the Pimoroni Tufty 2350 badge, with a custom PCB, added IR sensors and pre-loaded with some fun apps. The source code for the custom apps is available here.

These apps are designed to be run on the base MonaOS MicroPython firmware pre-installed on your badge with our custom badgeware library.

/badge/                 # Badge firmware and applications
  ├── main.py           # Boot loader and app launcher entry point
  ├── secrets.py        # WiFi configuration (SSID, password, GitHub username)
  ├── apps/             # Application directory
  │   ├── badge/        # GitHub profile stats viewer
  │   ├── flappy/       # Flappy Bird style game
  │   ├── gallery/      # Image gallery viewer
  │   ├── menu/         # App launcher/menu system
  │   ├── monapet/      # Virtual pet simulator
  │   ├── quest/        # IR beacon scavenger hunt
  │   ├── sketch/       # Drawing application
  │   └── startup/      # Boot animation
  └── assets/           # Shared resources
      ├── fonts/        # Pixel Perfect Fonts (.ppf) and bitmap fonts (.af)
      └── mona-sprites/ # Mona character sprite sheets

The badge/ folder contents are pre-loaded in a hidden /system/ partition on the device.

When your badge arrives, it will be pre-loaded with a factory default Micropython image that will have a custom image of Micropython with our apps pre-installed and a 'MonaOS' app launcher.

To get started building apps for the badge, you will need to flash the latest Micropython firmware that we have. You can find the latest firmware image in the Releases

1. Download the latest .uf2 firmware file from the releases page.
2. Connect your badge to your computer via USB.
3. On the back of the badge, press and hold the Home button. While holding down Home, press and release the Reset button. Then release the Home button.
4. Your badge should then appear as a USB drive named RP2350.
5. Drag and drop the .uf2 file onto the RP2350 drive.
6. The badge will automatically reboot and run the new firmware.

The badge has two partitions:

• Hidden /system/ partition - Contains pre-loaded apps, assets, and default files (only visible via serial connection)
• Visible user partition - Accessible when in USB Mass Storage mode (the BADGER drive)

When the badge runs, it looks for files in the visible partition first. If a file exists there, it uses that version instead of the one in /system/. This allows you to override or customize any pre-installed app without modifying the hidden partition.

To copy files to the badge, double-press the Reset button on the back. The badge will appear as a USB drive named BADGER.

To override a pre-installed app or add a new one:

1. Enter USB Mass Storage mode (double-press Reset)
2. Copy your modified/new app folder to /apps/<app_name>/ on the BADGER drive
3. The badge will use your version instead of the /system/apps/<app_name>/ version
4. To modify the menu, copy and edit /apps/menu/__init__.py

Example: To customize the gallery app, copy the entire /apps/gallery/ folder structure to /apps/gallery/ on the BADGER drive, then modify it.

For the gallery app, create the folder structure and add images:

• Full-size PNG images: /apps/gallery/images/
• Thumbnail images: /apps/gallery/thumbnails/

Ensure the thumbnail images correspond to the full-size images for proper display.

Create or edit /secrets.py on the BADGER drive:

WIFI_SSID = "your_wifi_network"
WIFI_PASSWORD = "your_password"
GITHUB_USERNAME = "your_github_username"

This file contains default WiFi details for a WiFi access point available in the 'Hack the Badge' space at GitHub Universe. But you need to edit this file to add your own WiFi credentials and GitHub username.

When done copying files, safely eject the BADGER drive before unplugging or pressing Reset to return to normal mode.

To run the apps on the badge, press the Reset button once to enter normal mode. The badge will boot and look for /main.py on the visible partition. If it doesn't exist, it will use /system/main.py which runs the startup animation followed by the menu app launcher.

You can press the Home button on the back of the badge to return to the menu app launcher at any time.

In the menu, navigate the apps from the launcher by using UP, DOWN, A and C to move around the menu grid. Select the app you want to run and press the B button to launch it.

GitHub profile statistics viewer that displays:

• Your contribution graph
• Follower count
• Repository count
• Total contributions
• Profile avatar

Requires WiFi configuration and GitHub Username configuration in /secrets.py. Press A+C together to force refresh data.

A Flappy Bird style game featuring Mona. Press A to jump and avoid obstacles. Try to beat your high score!

Browse through images with smooth thumbnail navigation. Press A/C to navigate, B to toggle UI visibility.

A virtual pet simulator. Take care of Mona by:

• Pressing A to play (increase happiness)
• Pressing B to feed (decrease hunger)
• Pressing C to clean (increase cleanliness)

Keep all stats above 30% or Mona will get sad! Stats are automatically saved.

An IR beacon scavenger hunt for exploring the conference. Walk around and look for "Mona's Quest" signs to find IR beacons at different locations to unlock quest achievements. Progress is saved automatically.

A drawing application where you can create pixel art. Use arrow keys and A/C to move the cursor and draw. Watch Mona run away from your cursor!

For developing your own apps, see the Copilot Instructions which provide comprehensive guidance on:

• Badge hardware specifications
• App structure and requirements
• The badgeware library API
• Example code patterns
• Best practices

Each app must include an icon.png file in its root directory:

• Size: 24x24 pixels
• Format: Color PNG with optional transparency
• Purpose: Used by the menu launcher to display your app

All apps in badge/apps/ serve as working examples of different features and techniques.