Build Lightning Piggy Classic

For Lightning Piggy p1 click here! Making your very own Lightning Piggy is squealy easy. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Source the parts.
2. Create a wallet.
3. Flash the firmware.
4. Connect to and configure your piggy.
5. Make a case and assemble the parts.

💡 IMPORTANT: This is not a toy. It contains small parts which could be a choking and ingestion hazard. There are also sharp edges. It should not be handled by children under 4 years of age. Assembly and use of this product is at your own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses that may be incurred.

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Quick Start Guide

If you already have the single board computer, follow these steps:

1. Choose a wallet that supports Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC).

   • For beginners: We recommend Coinos — it’s simple and custodial (with the option to auto-withdraw to cold storage), so you can get started quickly.
   • For a non-custodial setup: We recommend Alby Hub — it supports multiple friends and family accounts and is easy to use.

   Once your wallet is set up, copy your Lightning Address and NWC link — you’ll need both in the next step.

2. Flash the firmware using our Web Installer. You’ll need a Wi-Fi enabled computer with Chrome, Brave, Opera, or Edge browser.

3. Connect to and configure your Piggy (see Accessing Piggy’s Configuration Settings below).

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Full Guide

1. Source the parts

Single Board Computer (SBC): LILYGO T5 V2.3.1 e-paper device with a 2.13 inch screen (DEPG0213BN) and a 9102 chip. Available direct from LILYGo or from resellers.

Rechargeable battery: Voltage: 3.7V Connector: JST 2pin 1.25mm. Available from…

• Rokland 1100mAh.

• Aliexpress 1200mAh.

• MakerFocus 1000mAh. Note: The size of this battery 26 44 9 mm (1.02 1.73 0.35 inch) doesn’t fit perfectly in the Genesis and Robotechy pig cases.

Case: One homemade case using materials of your choice.

Micro USB data cable: Available cheaply for bulk purchases from Aliexpress or Amazon if you don’t have one lying around.

💡 IMPORTANT: Improper assembly and/or the use of improper/faulty batteries can present a fire hazard. We recommend using only high quality LiPo rechargeable batteries. Before connecting the battery, check the connector is correctly wired. The red wire needs to align with the positive ”+” terminal, and the black wire needs to align with the negative ”-” terminal. If the battery you have sourced has the polarity switched, it’s possible to swap the wires by carefully lifting the plastic JST connector retainers.

Before connecting the battery, check the connector is correctly wired.

Note: The device can operate without a battery if powered via the micro USB port.

Here’s an image showing your piggy’s controls:

Lightning Piggy’s Controls

If you’d like to add a tilt switch, simply solder it between pins 32 and 3V3. Any standard tilt switches will work; for example, the SW-520D ball switch is a suitable option.

2. Create a Wallet

Choose one of two options for connecting your piggy:

You have two options for connecting your piggy:

• NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect) - A protocol that lets you securely link your Bitcoin wallet to applications without exposing your private keys. Simple and safe.
• LNBits - A versatile wallet and payment processing system for the Lightning Network, offering more control and customisation.

Below is a detailed comparison:

Feature	NWC	LNBits
Purpose	Protocol for connecting Lightning wallets to apps via Nostr	Multi-wallet Lightning account system
Prerequisites	No server required, just a NWC-compatible wallet	Requires hosting a server or using a hosted instance
Ease of Use	Easy! Copy and paste NWC link	Requires LNBits instance setup
Custodianship	Non-custodial and custodial options	Non-custodial (self-hosted) or custodial
Wallet Support	Any NWC-enabled wallet	Internal + NWC via extension
Best For	Simple wallet connection	Self-hosted, multiple accounts, extensions

Nostr Wallet Connect

Choose an NWC-enabled wallet and follow the provider’s setup instructions. Here are some popular options:

Wallet	Description
Alby Hub	Self-custodial, open-source lightning wallet that connects to apps
Cashu	Free, open-source Bitcoin wallet that uses ecash
Coinos	Free custodial web wallet and payment page
Primal	Popular nostr client with integrated custodial wallet
Zeus	Self-custodial, open-source Bitcoin wallet

Go to the NWC information page in your chosen wallet (usually found in the settings). Locate and copy the NWC link, which should follow this structure:

nostr+walletconnect://f3a192b445cd7e8f2d4a60c578eb932a57b83d9265fa790042bd865937c2e5d9?relay=wss%3A%2F%2Frelay.example.com&secret=11d4fc982746ab5389f75efc3ddaa94761e35fb209ec8d7a4b3d248ac4e6f710&lud16=RandomWallet@domain.com

Keep a record of your wallet’s Lightning address (which resembles an email address), as it will be used to receive bitcoin payments over the lightning network. This address will be automatically converted into a QR code and displayed on the Piggy’s screen for easy scanning.

LNbits

If you wish to run a LNbits wallet, please refer to our detailed guide for step-by-step instructions.

3. Flash the firmware

You’ll need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop/desktop computer, a browser that supports the Web Serial API (such as Google Chrome, Brave, Opera, or Microsoft Edge), and a USB cable that can transmit data (some USB cables just supply power).

Use our custom-built web Installer to flash the firmware onto your device. Once installed, the device will automatically reboot with its Wi-Fi access point enabled for approximately 20 seconds, allowing you to connect and configure the software.

4. Connect to and configure your piggy

If you don’t see the Piggy Config access point in your available Wi-Fi networks after updating the software, press and hold the IO39 (Wake-up) button for at least 3 seconds to activate it.

Lightning Piggy’s Controls

Please note, since the piggy’s access point doesn’t provide internet access, the device you’re using to connect to it may automatically disconnect after a period of inactivity. It is worth preparing your credentials (summarised below) in advance for easy copy and paste.

Connection	Required Credentials
WiFi	SSID, Password
NWC	NWC link (e.g., nostr+walletconnect://...), Lightning address
or LNBits	Server name (e.g., https://demo.lnpiggy.com), Invoice/read key

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Accessing Piggy’s Configuration Settings

1. Activate Piggy’s Wi-Fi access point

On another device (e.g., a laptop or smartphone), press and hold Piggy’s IO39 (Wake-up) button for at least 3 seconds. A “Starting wireless Access Point for configuration…” message will appear on Piggy’s display.

2. Connect to the “Piggy Config” Wi-Fi network

After a few seconds, a new Wi-Fi network called Piggy Config will appear in your device’s Wi-Fi settings. Connect to it.

Piggy’s screen will display:

• The web address to open in your browser (e.g., http://192.168.4.1/)
• The login credentials — username: piggy, password: oinkoink

3. Open the configuration page

In your browser, navigate to the web address shown on Piggy’s screen. Log in using the credentials above, then:

1. Enter your Wi-Fi network details.
2. Enter your NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect) or LNbits credentials.
3. Click Save.
4. Restart the device.

The device should now connect to your Wi-Fi network and display your satoshi balance, QR code to receive lightning payments, and list your recent transactions (if any).

Notes:

• Starting from version 5, your Piggy will remember its configuration settings even after a software update. You won’t need to re-enter them, as long as you don’t choose to erase the device during installation.
• If you’re powering the Piggy via USB, you can enable the “Always run webserver” option in the settings. This keeps the Wi-Fi access point active, making it easier to reconnect anytime.

5. Make a case and assemble the parts

Time to get creative! Build your very own Lightning Piggy case out of any material you wish to use, and assemble the parts.

💡 IMPORTANT: When installed correctly, the battery and/or board components should not get hot when it is being charged (i.e. the USB is connected to power and the battery is installed).

Check out our case options.

If you would like to share your design with others, please either email your creation to oink@lightningpiggy.com, or post a note on nostr with a photo of your piggy, including the hashtag #zapmypiggy for inclusion on this website.

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