Closes the recurring "I added the printer but it isn't connecting" +
"where is X feature" cluster that drove ~1/3 of invalid-tagged issues.
New users now see a friendly welcome modal on first load and can take
a guided walkthrough that highlights the load-bearing UI surface
step-by-step.
Backend: two new nullable columns on users (onboarding_status
VARCHAR(64), onboarding_snoozed_until TIMESTAMP) added via inline
migration with a one-shot backfill that marks every existing user as
dismissed_at_migration -- pre-existing installs never see the welcome
modal. GET + PATCH /api/v1/users/me/onboarding round-trip the state;
OnboardingUpdate schema rejects dismissed_at_migration from the API
(migration-internal only), validates the tour_in_progress:<step_id>
form, and enforces snooze coherence (snoozed_until required only when
status is snoozed). _users_column_exists helper mirrors
_api_keys_column_exists and gates the backfill so restarts after
new-user signups do not clobber the welcome-eligible NULL state.
SQLite and Postgres both verified end-to-end.
Frontend architecture: OnboardingProvider wraps the app inside
AuthProvider; reads from the backend when auth is on, falls back to
localStorage (bambuddy.onboarding_status + onboarding_snoozed_until)
when auth is off so no-auth installs still get the welcome
experience. A loadFailed gate prevents the welcome modal from popping
over a backend outage -- we cannot distinguish "new user" from "GET
errored" so we stay silent. OnboardingFlow driver picks between the
Phase 0 welcome modal, the Phase 0.2 about modal, and the
step-by-step TourEngine based on persisted status. Mounted inside
BrowserRouter so the route guard's useLocation has its context (a
sibling-of-Router placement crashed at runtime).
Route guard: the overlay never renders on /setup, /login,
/spoolbuddy/*, /camera/*, /overlay/*, or while requiresSetup is
true -- fresh installs walk through the existing /setup flow
uninterrupted, and the SpoolBuddy kiosk / OBS overlay / camera-popout
windows never get a modal slapped over them.
Tour engine: 25 steps targeting existing data-tour anchors --
add-printer -> verify-connection -> printer-card sub-tour x5 (status
row, AMS row, camera, controls, customize menu) -> add-spool ->
bambu-cloud-sync -> sidebar overview x6 -> vp -> slicer-api ->
makerworld -> obico -> integrations -> notifications -> users ->
groups -> sso -> outro. Per-step route navigation via useNavigate,
anchor polling at 100ms intervals with a 3-second cap (pages need a
beat after navigation; never spin forever), box-shadow dimmed-
spotlight cutout that pointer-events-through so the user can still
interact, smart modal positioning (sidebar anchors to the right;
page anchors below or flipped above based on viewport room),
Back/Next/Skip with Escape as Skip, persistence on every Back/Next
so mid-tour reloads resume at the same step.
Conditional skip: each step exposes a skipIf(ctx) evaluated against
at least one printer exists; verify-connection + the entire card
sub-tour skip when no printer exists; makerworld skips when the user
lacks makerworld:view (the sidebar entry is permission-gated and the
anchor would not resolve); users / groups / sso skip when auth is
off. Pre-render gate means the user never sees a flash of a step
that is about to skip.
Phase 1.1 "Lock the front door" auth step explicitly removed from
the live tour -- /setup already prompts for the auth choice on fresh
installs, and users who deliberately chose no-auth must not be
nudged to enable it. The auth-card anchor stays for any future
privacy-checkup surface.
BB mascot: hero pose + 5 named poses (started / walk / almost /
allset / help) sliced from the character sheet via Pillow into
public/img/bb_*.webp. MascotIcon component takes a pose prop;
per-step pose mapping in tourSteps.ts. TourLauncher sits in the
sidebar footer as a BB icon that relaunches the tour from step 0
and consumes the [data-tour="help-icon"] selector.
WikiHelpIcon component lands the per-page question-mark icon on
Queue / Archives / Stats / Maintenance / Files / Projects /
Inventory -- opens the matching wiki.bambuddy.cool/{path}/ page in
a new tab (chose new-tab over iframe because the wiki sets
X-Frame-Options: DENY).
27 new data-tour anchors across PrintersPage / SettingsPage /
ProfilesPage / InventoryPage / Layout. i18n: 138 new keys under a
new onboarding.* namespace, real translations in every locale
(de/en/es/fr/it/ja/ko/pt-BR/tr/zh-CN/zh-TW) -- no
IDENTICAL_TO_EN_ALLOWED entries added.
Backend tests: 12 in TestOnboardingAPI cover the round-trips and the
validator branches. Frontend tests: 61 across 7 files -- anchor
presence backstop, Phase 0 modal interaction, tour engine + step
helpers, provider state machine (auth-on/off split, PATCH error
fall-through, localStorage round-trip), route guard for every
suppress path, WikiHelpIcon href/target/aria. Backend pytest
5723/5723; frontend vitest 2154/2154; ESLint clean; frontend build
clean; i18n parity clean at 5233 leaves x 11 locales.
Companion docs: docs/onboarding-tour-plan.md carries the design
(Phase 0-5 step inventory, anchor selector list, state model, asset
inventory, resolved decisions, Implementation Status section that
is authoritative for current shipped state).
Bambuddy
Your printers. No cloud. Your rules.
Self-hosted command center for Bambu Lab — from one A1 to a 40-printer farm.
🎮 Try the Live Demo • Features • Screenshots • Quick Start • Documentation • Discord • Contributing
Spin up your own private Bambuddy in ~10 seconds — no install, no signup, 30-minute session.
📰 As Featured In
"Bambuddy is the companion app that Bambu Lab should have built from day one." — Adam Conway, XDA-Developers
Two leading 3D-printing publications independently concluded that Bambuddy's feature set already exceeds Bambu's own cloud:
"The features seem to exceed those provided by Bambu Lab's own cloud." — Fabbaloo
"The list of functions seems so extensive that it even goes beyond what Bambu Lab offers in its own cloud." — 3Druck.com
🌐 NEW: Remote Printing with Proxy Mode
Print from anywhere in the world — Bambuddy's new Proxy Mode acts as a secure relay between your slicer and printer:
- 🔒 End-to-end TLS encryption — FTP, file transfer, and camera are transparently proxied with the printer's real TLS certificate
- 🛡️ Optional Tailscale integration — per-VP toggle + Docker socket mount surface the host's Tailscale IP on the VP card, so you know which
100.x.x.xto paste into the slicer when you want a virtual printer reachable over your tailnet (setup). Bambuddy's self-signed CA import is still required on the slicer side: Bambu Studio / OrcaSlicer validate printer TLS against a bundled BBL CA (not the system trust store), and their Add Printer dialog is IP-only (no hostname to match an LE cert against), so a publicly-trusted cert can't help on either dimension. Tailscale's role is the private tunnel (reachability from anywhere, no port forwarding), not cert-import elimination. - 🌍 No cloud dependency — Direct connection through your own Bambuddy server
- 🔑 Uses printer's access code — No additional credentials needed
- ⚡ Full-speed printing — Transparent TCP proxy, only MQTT is decrypted for IP rewriting
Perfect for remote print farms, traveling makers, or accessing your home printer from work.
🍰 NEW: Integrated Slicing — Slice & Print, All In One Place
No desktop slicer required. Drop an STL or 3MF into Bambuddy's File Manager, hit Slice, and the result lands as a ready-to-print .gcode.3mf in the same folder — without ever opening Bambu Studio or Orca Slicer.
- 🍰 One-click slicing — Slice from any browser. The job runs server-side in a tiny sidecar container, progress streams back as a toast, and the sliced file appears in your library when it's done.
- 📱 Slice from your phone or tablet — Bambuddy's PWA + the new server-side slicer means you can drop an STL in from mobile and queue a print without ever touching a desktop.
- 🎒 Bring your own profiles — Import a
Printer Preset Bundle(.bbscfg) exported from Bambu Studio: pick a curated printer + process + filament triplet from a dropdown in the Slice dialog, no more juggling JSON files. - 🔄 Re-slice for a different printer in one click — Open any sliced archive in Bambuddy and re-slice it for any printer, including across the single-nozzle ↔ dual-nozzle (H2D / H2D Pro) boundary that BambuStudio's CLI would normally reject. Bambuddy detects the class change and auto-arranges objects laid out for the source bed (e.g. X1C 256×256) so they land safely on the target (e.g. H2D 350×320 with its per-nozzle dead zones).
- 🍱 Slice all plates at once — Multi-plate projects (parted statues, multi-part kits) get a "Slice all N plates" toggle in the Slice dialog. One click produces a single
.gcode.3mfcontaining every plate's gcode, ready for the printer. The toast shows "Plate 2 of 5 — Generating G-code (47%)" as the loop runs. - 🔁 Same dispatch as the rest of Bambuddy — The sliced output flows into the existing queue / plate-picker / AMS-mapping path, so all the regular conveniences (multi-printer dispatch, AMS routing, scheduled prints) just work.
Optional but recommended — drop the slicer-api/ Compose stack next to your Bambuddy install and the Slice button lights up everywhere.
Why Bambuddy?
- Own your data — All print history stored locally, no cloud dependency
- Works offline — Uses Developer Mode for direct printer control via local network
- Full automation — Schedule prints, auto power-off, get notified when done
- Multi-printer support — Manage your entire print farm from one interface
✨ Features
📦 Print Archive
📊 Monitoring & Control
⏰ Scheduling & Automation
📁 File Manager (Library)
🌍 MakerWorld Integration
📁 Projects
|
🔔 Notifications
🧵 Spool Inventory
🔧 Integrations
🖨️ Virtual Printer & Remote Printing
🛠️ Maintenance & Support
🔒 Optional Authentication
|
Plus: Configurable slicer (Bambu Studio / OrcaSlicer) • Customizable themes (style, background, accent) • Mobile responsive • Keyboard shortcuts • Multi-language (EN/DE/JA/IT) • Auto updates • Database backup/restore • System info dashboard
🎬 Demo
Spin up your own private Bambuddy with simulated printers and pre-loaded print history. Click around freely — it's your sandbox. ~10 seconds to spawn, 30-minute session, no signup.
Prefer a video walkthrough?
Click to watch the demo on YouTube
📸 Screenshots
Click to expand screenshots
Real-time printer monitoring with AMS status
Print archive with 3D preview and project assignment
Re-print with AMS filament mapping preview
Built-in timelapse editor with trim, speed, and music
Group related prints into projects
Project detail view with assigned archives
Project timeline and print history
Print scheduling and queue management
Schedule prints for specific date and time
Customizable statistics dashboard
Maintenance tracking per printer
Configure maintenance types and intervals
Pressure advance (K-factor) profiles
Edit K-factor profile settings
General configuration and integrations
Smart plug control and energy monitoring
Multi-provider notification system
API keys and webhook endpoints
Virtual printer appears in Bambu Studio/Orca Slicer
🚀 Quick Start
Requirements
- Python 3.10+ (3.11/3.12 recommended)
- Bambu Lab printer with Developer Mode enabled (see below)
- "Store sent files on external storage" enabled in Bambu Studio/OrcaSlicer
- Same local network as printer
Installation
Docker (Recommended)
Option A: Pre-built image (fastest)
mkdir bambuddy && cd bambuddy
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/maziggy/bambuddy/main/docker-compose.yml
docker compose up -d
Option B: Build from source
git clone https://github.com/maziggy/bambuddy.git
cd bambuddy
docker compose up -d --build
Open http://localhost:8000 in your browser.
Multi-architecture support: Pre-built images are available for
linux/amd64andlinux/arm64(Raspberry Pi 4/5).
macOS/Windows users: Docker Desktop doesn't support
network_mode: host. Edit docker-compose.yml: comment outnetwork_mode: hostand uncomment theports:section. Printer discovery won't work - add printers manually by IP.
Linux users: If you get "permission denied" errors, either prefix commands with
sudo(e.g.,sudo docker compose up -d) or add your user to the docker group.
Docker Configuration & Commands
Environment Variables:
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
TZ |
UTC |
Your timezone (e.g., America/New_York, Europe/Berlin) |
PORT |
8000 |
Port BamBuddy runs on (with host networking mode) |
DEBUG |
false |
Enable debug logging |
LOG_LEVEL |
INFO |
Log level: DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR |
Data Persistence:
| Volume | Purpose |
|---|---|
bambuddy.db |
SQLite database with all your print data (not used with PostgreSQL) |
archive/ |
Archived 3MF files and thumbnails |
logs/ |
Application logs |
Updating:
# Pre-built image: just pull the latest
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d
# From source: rebuild after pulling changes
cd bambuddy && git pull && docker compose up -d --build
Daily Beta Builds:
Beta builds with the latest fixes are pushed regularly to the same beta version tag:
# Pull the current beta
docker pull ghcr.io/maziggy/bambuddy:0.2.2b1
# or from Docker Hub
docker pull maziggy/bambuddy:0.2.2b1
Use Watchtower to automatically update when new daily builds are pushed.
Note: Beta builds use version tags like
0.2.2b1— they are never tagged aslatest. Your stable installation won't auto-update to a beta unless you explicitly pull a beta tag.
Useful Commands:
# View logs
docker compose logs -f
# Stop/Start
docker compose down
docker compose up -d
# Shell access
docker compose exec bambuddy /bin/bash
Custom Port:
ports:
- "3000:8000" # Access on port 3000
Reverse Proxy (Nginx):
server {
listen 443 ssl http2;
server_name bambuddy.yourdomain.com;
ssl_certificate /path/to/cert.pem;
ssl_certificate_key /path/to/key.pem;
location / {
proxy_pass http://localhost:8000;
proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
proxy_read_timeout 86400;
}
}
Note: WebSocket support is required for real-time printer updates.
Network Mode Host (required for printer discovery and camera streaming):
services:
bambuddy:
build: .
network_mode: host
Note: Docker's default bridge networking cannot receive SSDP multicast packets for automatic printer discovery. When using
network_mode: host, Bambuddy auto-detects your network subnet and can discover printers via subnet scanning in the Add Printer dialog.
Manual Installation (Linux/macOS)
# Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/maziggy/bambuddy.git
cd bambuddy
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
# Run
uvicorn backend.app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
Open http://localhost:8000 and add your printer!
Need detailed instructions? See the Installation Guide
Windows Native Installation
Windows PowerShell (run as Administrator — the installer self-elevates via UAC if not):
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "iwr -useb https://raw.githubusercontent.com/maziggy/bambuddy/main/install/windows-installer.ps1 -OutFile windows-installer.ps1; .\windows-installer.ps1"
Installs Bambuddy natively on Windows using Git, Python, a virtual environment, separate data/log directories, and optional NSSM Windows Service registration. See the Windows Installer Guide for parameters and unattended-install options.
Enabling Developer Mode
Developer Mode allows third-party software like Bambuddy to control your printer over the local network.
- On printer: Settings → Network → LAN Only Mode → Enable
- Enable Developer Mode (appears after LAN Only Mode is enabled)
- Note the Access Code displayed
- Find IP address in network settings
- Find Serial Number in device info
Note: Developer Mode disables cloud features but provides full local control. Standard LAN Mode (without Developer Mode) only allows read-only monitoring.
Slicer Settings
In Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer, enable "Store sent files on external storage" so that print files (3MF) are saved to the printer's SD card. Bambuddy needs these files to extract thumbnails and 3D model previews.
- Open Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer
- Go to the Device tab for your printer
- In Print Options, enable Store Sent Files on External Storage
📚 Documentation
Full documentation available at wiki.bambuddy.cool:
- Installation — All installation methods
- Getting Started — First printer setup
- Features — Detailed feature guides
- Troubleshooting — Common issues & solutions
- API Reference — REST API documentation
🖨️ Supported Printers
| Series | Models |
|---|---|
| X1 | X1, X1 Carbon, X1E |
| X2 | X2D |
| H2 | H2D, H2D Pro, H2C, H2S |
| P1 | P1P, P1S |
| P2 | P2S |
| A1 | A1, A1 Mini |
🛠️ Tech Stack
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Backend | Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy |
| Frontend | React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS |
| Database | SQLite (default) or PostgreSQL |
| 3D Viewer | Three.js |
| Communication | MQTT (TLS), FTPS |
🤝 Contributing
Contributions welcome! Ways to help:
- 📝 Document — Improve the wiki and guides (urgently needed!)
- Test — Report issues with your printer model
- Translate — Add new languages
- Code — Submit PRs for bugs or features
- 🔒 Security review — (specifically wanted, see below)
Not sure where to start? Reach out on Discord or email martin@bambuddy.cool — I'll help you find something that fits.
🔒 Looking for a security-focused contributor
I'm bringing on a contributor whose specific focus is keeping an eye on Bambuddy's security.
Concretely:
Track the dev branch and flag changes touching auth, permissions, token handling, or the CI security backstops. Async post-merge — no gating of in-flight PRs.
What matters more than formal qualifications: fail-closed thinking by default, comfortable reading the auth layer (FastAPI + SQLAlchemy on the backend, a small React surface), willing to push back on except Exception shapes in security-sensitive code.
No fixed time commitment. If you're interested — or know someone who fits — email martin@bambuddy.cool or DM on Discord.
See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
📄 License
AGPL-3.0 License — see LICENSE for details.
🙏 Acknowledgments
- SpoolEase by yanshay — early inspiration for NFC-based spool tracking and AMS inventory concepts
- Bambu Lab for amazing printers
- The reverse engineering community for protocol documentation
- All testers and contributors
💖 Support Bambuddy
Bambuddy stays independent because real people support it directly. If Bambuddy makes your printers more useful, please consider:
- GitHub Sponsors — five recurring tiers from $5/mo (Backer) to $300/mo (Corporate). Supporter+ ($15/mo) get access to a private sponsors space with a monthly newsletter and early release notes. Patron+ ($35/mo) vote on the quarterly roadmap. Sustaining Sponsor+ ($150/mo) get a direct async email line for technical questions (~2-3 business days). Corporate ($300/mo) get priority email response (next business day), README header logo, sitewide footer logo on bambuddy.cool, and Press page placement.
- Ko-fi — one-time tip or recurring.
Sponsors get listed in BACKERS.md. Need commercial support (SLA, multi-printer consulting)? Email martin@bambuddy.cool.
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