Install and update Core

Before you begin

Use a supported Pod 3, 4, or 5 running stock embedded Linux. New to a stock Pod? Start with Open your Pod and get root access for the parts list, teardown photos, Tag-Connect wiring, and first administrator login. Once you have that shell, return here with internet access available for the initial download.

Keep a backup of an existing installation’s configuration and databases before changing it. The device has limited memory and storage; prefer published builds over compiling on the Pod.

Install on the Pod

The upstream installer is a privileged script. Download and inspect it, then run it as root on the Pod, not on your computer:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sleepypod/core/main/scripts/install -o /tmp/sleepypod-install
less /tmp/sleepypod-install
sudo bash /tmp/sleepypod-install

If your shell is already root and has no sudo, run bash /tmp/sleepypod-install.

The installer obtains Node.js and pnpm if needed, downloads the latest prebuilt release (with a source-build fallback), detects the DAC socket, migrates databases, and starts sleepypod.service. It also installs the Python biometrics modules. Optional SSH setup uses port 8822 with key-only authentication.

Verify the installation

sp-status
sp-logs

Open http://POD_IP:3000 from a browser on the same network. Confirm the timezone in settings, select your side, and check device status before changing the temperature.

If it does not open, follow connection troubleshooting. If the service fails, follow the Core troubleshooting guide.

Update

Run on the installed Pod:

sp-update

The updater installs the latest prebuilt release, runs migrations, and restarts Core with rollback support. Read the release notes  before upgrading.

For configuration backups, nightly archive push, and cleanup, see settings and maintenance.

Useful commands

Uninstalling and wiping data are separate decisions. Keep a backup before choosing data removal.

Developers can build locally and deploy over SSH to an already installed Pod.

Source reference: Installer and CLI  · Deployment guide  · Script reference