GLOWUP

May 6, 2026 · View on GitHub

GlowUp

GLOWUP

LIFX lighting system

GlowUp is a self-hosted home lighting control platform. The supported install drives LIFX lights.

This project has used AI assistance (Claude 4.6) for boilerplate and logic expansion. All architectural decisions and code integration are by Perry Kivolowitz, the sole Human Author.

What install.sh Delivers

git clone https://github.com/pkivolowitz/glowup.git
cd glowup
./install.sh

A working LIFX system on either a single host (your laptop) or an always-on Linux server. The supported surface:

  • Discover every LIFX bulb on your network

  • Name each bulb — the label travels in firmware and survives DHCP changes

  • Group bulbs into named virtual surfaces — a whole room becomes one canvas

  • 33 effects — aurora, fireworks, Newton's Cradle, plasma, sonar, matrix rain, Conway's Game of Life, 199 country flags, and more. Effects span 1D strips, single bulbs, and 2D matrix devices (Tile, Luna, Candle, Ceiling). Animated previews in the Effect Gallery

  • Schedule bulbs to react to sunrise / sunset / clock time

  • Dashboard at http://<host>:8420/dashboard — group control, schedule editor, device registry

  • Simulator preview — render an effect to a window without touching a bulb

Two install flavors: standalone runs while you're at the keyboard, no sudo, state under ~/.glowup. Server runs as a systemd daemon on Linux, owns config under /etc/glowup, keeps schedules alive while your laptop sleeps. You can move from the first to the second later without losing your bulb names or groups.

That is the whole supported surface today. Manual is located here: docs/BASIC.md.

Requirements

  • Python 3.11 or later
  • A LIFX bulb on your local network

The optional simulator needs tkinter (ships with macOS and Windows Python; one apt-get install on Linux). Everything in the "What's Also In Here" section has its own opt-in dependencies — see docs/02-requirements.md for the full matrix.

Documentation

  • docs/BASIC.md — the supported install, end to end: standalone, Linux server, dashboard, schedules, effects
  • docs/CONTRIB.md — vendor-integration notes for the unsupported adapters (Vivint, Reolink, Brother)

Caveat

Tested with LIFX string lights, Neon, Luna (700-series matrix), Ceiling, and monochrome bulbs. I don't own every LIFX product — please report problems; fixes for other devices are welcome.

License

MIT.

Appreciation

If you find this software useful, please consider donating to a local food pantry. Even a single can of soup makes someone in your neighborhood's day a little easier.