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For developers

Build with SkyCache

SkyCache Nexus is intentionally modular. The core is a Python hub that ingests public content, prioritizes it, serves a mobile-first offline portal, and can form a multi-node community mesh fabric (DTN + opportunistic open gateway) — wrapping tools like SatDump and gr-satellites instead of reinventing demodulation. Not free commercial broadband.

GitHub repositorySkybrary library

Stack

  • Python 3.11+ · FastAPI · SQLite · static PWA · skycache.nexus
  • SoapySDR / RTL-SDR for receive-only hardware access
  • SatDump CLI for free-to-air weather decode
  • gr-satellites for open amateur / CubeSat telemetry
  • hostapd + dnsmasq + batman-adv templates for village fabric
  • Apache-2.0 software tree

Downloads

Golden SD kit (zip)

Flash Pi OS Lite, then bake — not a multi-GB raw .img in git.

Dual-radio validation storyboard

All board models + shared day-one steps.

Skybrary library

Starter kits with license passports for dual-access demos.

CLI (0.9.2 field surface)

$ python -m skycache capabilities
$ python -m skycache skybrary samples --ingest
$ python -m skycache skybrary pack --profile literacy-1gb
$ python -m skycache pi-image bundle --out data/pi-download
$ python -m skycache mesh dual-radio-pack --out media/dual-radio-validation
$ python -m skycache maps sample
$ python -m skycache maps import region.mbtiles --license ODbL
$ python -m skycache blobs put ./region.mbtiles
$ python -m skycache nexus validate --nodes 2
$ python -m skycache serve --sim

Portal after serve --sim: Library tab · Admin: capability matrix

Architecture principles

Wrap, don't rewrite

SatDump and gr-satellites handle demodulation. SkyCache owns ingest, prioritization, catalog, portal, and mesh.

Simulation first

Every field feature should be demoable with --sim before RF hardware is required.

Legal capability matrix

Config and CLI expose only lawful receive/mesh/open-fetch paths. Commercial decrypt is rejected.

Offline-first PWA

Captive portal redirects, multi-language UI, large touch targets, freshness stamps on content.

Get started in under an hour

  1. Clone Pitchfork-and-Torch/SkyCache
  2. Run python -m skycache serve --sim
  3. Open the local portal and browse the Library tab
  4. Read first-boot docs for Pi / Debian field install
First-boot docsSkybrary mission