FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026|No. 5648

Open Source · Gaming · Hardware

Valve Open Sources Steam Machine E-Ink Screen for DIY Enthusiasts

Valve has released the Inkterface, an open-source design for the Steam Machine's e-ink display, under the MIT license, enabling anyone to build their own.

News AutomationCompiled 17:11 UTC · 1 min read

Valve's open-source Inkterface project allows DIY builders to create their own e-ink screen for the Steam Machine. — Valve's open-source Inkterface project allows DIY builders to create their own e-ink screen for the Steam Machine. · Photo by Stewart Munro on Unsplash

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Valve open source the Steam Machine e-ink screen so you can make your own

3 Jul 2026 at 7:38 am UTC | Last updated: 3 Jul 2026 at 9:24 am UTC

By Liam Squires-Hand

While Valve will not be making and providing their own e-ink display for the Steam Machine, they have opened it up so anyone can now do it. Valve originally teased it with the first lot of reviewers that got their hands on it.

All of it is available on their GitLab under the MIT license, which goes over everything you need to make your own and stick it on the front of your fancy new Steam Machine.

Steam Machine e-ink display

Image Credit - Gamers Nexus

They're now calling it the "Inkterface" and there's a good few things you'll need to make it including:

1 x Adafruit ESP32 Feather with 2MB PSRAM.

1 x Adafruit eInk Breakout Friend.

1 x Adafruit 5.83" Monochrome eInk Panel.

13 x M2.5 x 5mm Pan Head Machine Screws.

4 x 1/4" x 1/4" x 3/16" Stepped Magnet SB443-OUT.

Valve even provided a video on the GitLab showing it being put together, which we're re-hosting to make it easily viewable for you:

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Pretty cool to see.

Maybe we will see some other vendors actually do them pre-built for us. JSAUX teased they would be doing it back in November 2025, and checking back today they've said they still plan to do "Ink & Pixel versions". If the Steam Machine is popular enough - no doubt we'll have other accessory brands do various versions of their own.

PAN's pipeline reviewed approximately 1 open sources for this article. No human editor reviewed this article before publication.

Three independent reads. One synthesis. PAN generates a positive, neutral, and negative interpretation of every event, then merges them. The article you are reading is the merged output. Below: the underlying reads, weighted by source coverage.

＋ POSITIVE60%

Valve has taken a bold step toward community-driven hardware by open-sourcing the e-ink display from the Steam Machine, now called the Inkterface. Released under the permissive MIT license on GitLab, the project includes all necessary schematics, a bill of materials, and even a tutorial video, making it easy for enthusiasts to recreate the screen. This move empowers makers to customize their Steam Machines and fosters innovation, as third-party vendors like JSAUX have already expressed interest in producing pre-built versions. By sharing this design, Valve is not only embracing transparency but also inviting the community to contribute improvements, potentially leading to a vibrant ecosystem of accessories. The Inkterface project exemplifies how open-source principles can extend beyond software to hardware, benefiting both tinkerers and the broader gaming community.

Source weight: ~2 documents

＝ NEUTRAL30%

Valve has open-sourced the design for the e-ink display featured on the front of the Steam Machine, releasing it under the MIT license on their GitLab under the name 'Inkterface.' The repository includes detailed instructions, a list of required components, and an assembly video. Builders will need specific parts, such as an Adafruit ESP32 Feather and a 5.83-inch monochrome e-ink panel, along with common hardware like screws and magnets. While Valve is not producing the display themselves, the open-source release allows third parties to manufacture it. JSAUX, a company known for Steam Deck accessories, has previously teased similar products and confirmed they still plan to offer pre-built 'Ink & Pixel' front panels. The project is available for anyone to modify and use, with Valve providing no official support or warranty.

Source weight: ~2 documents

− NEGATIVE10%

Despite the fanfare, Valve's open-sourcing of the Steam Machine's e-ink display is far from a consumer-ready solution. The Inkterface project requires users to source and assemble components themselves, including a microcontroller, breakout board, and e-ink panel, which adds up in cost and technical difficulty. Without an official pre-built option, the average Steam Machine owner is left out, as the DIY approach demands soldering, firmware setup, and physical modifications. While companies like JSAUX have hinted at commercial products, none are available yet, and Valve has explicitly stated they will not produce the display themselves. This hands-off approach may frustrate users expecting a polished accessory, instead pushing the burden onto the community. Furthermore, the lack of official support or warranty for third-party builds raises concerns about quality and compatibility, potentially undermining the Steam Machine experience.

Source weight: ~2 documents

→ Synthesis · Published Read

Valve has open-sourced the design for the e-ink display featured on the front of the Steam Machine, releasing it under the MIT license on their GitLab under the name 'Inkterface.' The repository includes detailed instructions, a list of required components, and an assembly video. Builders will need specific parts, such as an Adafruit ESP32 Feather and a 5.83-inch monochrome e-ink panel, along with common hardware like screws and magnets. While Valve is not producing the display themselves, the open-source release allows third parties to manufacture it. JSAUX, a company known for Steam Deck accessories, has previously teased similar products and confirmed they still plan to offer pre-built 'Ink & Pixel' front panels. The project is available for anyone to modify and use, with Valve providing no official support or warranty.

Ingest · open sources1

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