A lightweight web-based slideshow application to randomly display images from a directory. Migrated from Rust to TypeScript Node.js, specifically optimized for easier setup on Raspberry Pi.

I run it on a Raspberry pi, hooked up to a TV to have a slideshow of my favorite photos.

• src/: Express backend API and file scanner.
• public/: Vanilla JS and HTML frontend.

• Node.js (v18+)
• PM2 (for running in background: npm install -g pm2)

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/idc101/slideshow.git
cd slideshow

2. Install dependencies and build:

npm install
npm run build

3. Run the application:

# To run normally
PICTURES_BASE=/path/to/photos npm start

# Or to run with PM2 in the background
PICTURES_BASE=/path/to/photos npm run pm2

4. The application will be available at http://localhost:8000

The application can be configured through the following environment variables:

• PICTURES_BASE: Slideshow directory path
• SLIDESHOW_INTERVAL: Interval in seconds to wait before changing image (default 300)
• PORT: Port to run the Express server on (default 8000)

This setup runs the slideshow with PM2 and launches a fullscreen Chromium browser with the slideshow URL to display on HDMI.

1. Install Chromium browser:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install chromium

2. Install PM2 and save it to startup:

sudo npm install -g pm2
pm2 startup
# Follow the command provided by pm2 startup

3. Start the app:

PICTURES_BASE=/path/to/photos pm2 start dist/index.js --name "slideshow"
pm2 save

4. Create ~/bin/start-chromium.sh:

#!/bin/sh

set -e

CHROMIUM_TEMP=~/tmp/chromium
rm -Rf ~/.config/chromium/
rm -Rf $CHROMIUM_TEMP
mkdir -p $CHROMIUM_TEMP

chromium-browser \
        --disable \
        --disable-translate \
        --disable-infobars \
        --disable-suggestions-service \
        --disable-save-password-bubble \
        --disk-cache-dir=$CHROMIUM_TEMP/cache/ \
        --user-data-dir=$CHROMIUM_TEMP/user_data/ \
        --start-maximized \
        --kiosk http://localhost:8000 &

5. Launch Chromium on startup:

echo "@sh $HOME/bin/start-chromium.sh" >> ~/.config/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart

If you have a TV connected via HDMI, you can turn it on and off with CEC Control.

The backend provides the following API endpoints:

• GET /api/settings - Get interval settings
• GET /api/image/<num> - Get a specific image
• GET /api/image/<num>/metadata - Get metadata for a specific image