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wled/wled-usermod-example

Analysis updated 2026-08-10 · repo last pushed 2026-08-05

3C++Audience · developerComplexity · 2/5ActiveSetup · moderate

TLDR

A starter template for writing custom add-ons (usermods) for WLED, the popular LED strip controller. It gives you boilerplate C++ code with hooks into every key moment so you can focus on your feature instead of setup plumbing.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Starter template for WLED add-ons
      Boilerplate C++ code
      Auto-registers your feature
    Lifecycle hooks
      Device boot
      WiFi connects
      LED strip updates
    How to use
      Click to copy on GitHub
      Rename example files
      Link to local WLED build
    Sharing
      Tag a release
      Share repo URL
      Submit to community page
    Audience
      C++ developers
      ESP32 firmware builders
    Tech stack
      C++
      ESP32
      WLED

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Build an add-on that makes LED strips react to a physical sensor like a motion detector or temperature probe.

USE CASE 2

Create a custom integration that syncs WLED lights with a smart home system like Home Assistant.

USE CASE 3

Write a feature for WLED that the base software does not support, then share it with the community.

USE CASE 4

Learn how WLED usermods work by reading the annotated example file as reference documentation.

What is it built with?

C++ESP32WLEDPlatformIO

How does it compare?

wled/wled-usermod-example4brm01/picture-pokeralexandrerouma/ser
Stars333
LanguageC++C++C++
Last pushed2026-08-052025-09-06
MaintenanceActiveQuiet
Setup difficultymoderateeasyeasy
Complexity2/51/52/5
Audiencedevelopergeneraldeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 30min

Requires a local WLED build environment set up with PlatformIO and an ESP32 microcontroller to flash firmware onto.

The license is not specified in the explanation, so it is unclear what permissions you have, though the repo is designed to be copied and shared.

In plain English

This is a starter template for building custom add-ons for WLED, a popular project for controlling LED strips. If you've ever wanted your LED lights to react to a sensor, sync with a smart home system, or do something the base software doesn't support, this template gives you a ready-made foundation to write that feature yourself. The template provides a single example file with boilerplate code and comments showing where to plug in your own logic. It includes hooks for every key moment in the WLED lifecycle: when the device boots, when WiFi connects, every loop iteration, when the LED strip updates, when settings are loaded or saved, and when smart home messages arrive. You pick the moments relevant to your feature, fill in the code, and the add-on automatically registers itself. To use it, you click a button on GitHub to create your own copy, rename the example files to something meaningful, and link it to your local WLED build. Once your feature works, you can tag a release and share it with the community. Other people can pull your add-on into their own builds just by referencing your repository URL, and you can submit it to the official community add-ons page for wider visibility. The audience here is someone comfortable writing C++ and building firmware for microcontrollers like the ESP32. The template handles the plumbing, file structure, build configuration, registration, so you can focus on the actual feature. The example file doubles as documentation, with an annotated table mapping each function to exactly when WLED calls it, which is handy since the alternative is digging through the main project's source code.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I want to create a WLED usermod that reads a PIR motion sensor on GPIO13 and turns all LEDs white when motion is detected, then turns them off after 30 seconds of no motion. Write the C++ code using the wled-usermod-example template structure.
Prompt 2
Help me set up the wled-usermod-example template. I copied the repo and want to build it with my local WLED build using PlatformIO. Walk me through renaming the example files and configuring platformio.ini.
Prompt 3
I have a WLED usermod idea: sync LED colors to real-time weather data from an API. Using the usermod lifecycle hooks from the template, write the C++ logic for the loop function that fetches weather data and updates the LED colors.
Prompt 4
Using the wled-usermod-example as a base, write a usermod that listens for MQTT smart home messages and triggers a specific LED color preset when a message arrives on a given topic.
Prompt 5
I want to submit my WLED usermod to the official community add-ons page. Help me write a clean README and prepare the repository for tagging a release so others can pull it in by URL.

Frequently asked questions

What is wled-usermod-example?

A starter template for writing custom add-ons (usermods) for WLED, the popular LED strip controller. It gives you boilerplate C++ code with hooks into every key moment so you can focus on your feature instead of setup plumbing.

What language is wled-usermod-example written in?

Mainly C++. The stack also includes C++, ESP32, WLED.

Is wled-usermod-example actively maintained?

Active — commit in last 30 days (last push 2026-08-05).

What license does wled-usermod-example use?

The license is not specified in the explanation, so it is unclear what permissions you have, though the repo is designed to be copied and shared.

How hard is wled-usermod-example to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is wled-usermod-example for?

Mainly developer.

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