Niblet apps turn live data and simple ideas into experiences you can understand
at a glance. Each app is a small Starlark program that you build and preview on
your computer.
How building works
- Write your app in
main.star.
- Preview it locally with
niblet serve ..
- Validate the project and render its output on your computer.
- Upload a revision when it is ready for review.
Use niblet serve while you work. Before an upload, niblet apps push checks
the project and renders it again so the uploaded revision matches your local
result.
What a project contains
Every project follows the developer-app.v1 format and contains:
- A valid
manifest.yaml.
- One top-level
.star file.
- Up to 128 KiB of source.
- A locally rendered WebP up to 2 MiB.
The source and WebP are stored together as one immutable revision. Metadata can
change later, but an uploaded revision cannot be edited in place.
Local by default
Your source and previews stay on your computer until you run niblet apps push. Displays receive rendered images and never execute your app source.
Bring an existing Pixlet app
Niblet preserves the core Pixlet model: main(config), get_schema(), render
widgets, bundled modules, fonts, animations, and a 64×32 output canvas. An app
that depends on a Tidbyt-only service, encrypted value, or private endpoint may
need a Niblet-specific integration.
Last modified on August 29, 2026
