Getting started with Bridge

Bridge runs the gateway and its dashboard on your Linux computer. It works without a Hub account. A kit is a Bridge installed in a case with its radios. For phone apps or fleet management, choose your setup. For the concepts, read the introduction.

Prepare the hardware

Use a 64-bit ARM64 or x86_64 Linux host with a reliable power supply, free disk space and a network connection for the first installation. A Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 is a starting point; see the hardware guide for the tested combinations.

Connect one Meshtastic radio by a data-capable USB cable. A second radio, configured for the same region and channel, lets you confirm that a transmitted message actually arrived. A successful API response alone does not prove radio reception.

You do not need a satellite modem for this first test. Satellite and SMS require their own hardware and carrier accounts; adding them can incur airtime charges.

Choose an installation method

• First installation: follow the quick start from installation through a received message.
• Existing Docker setup or air-gapped host: use the installation guide.
• Existing Bridge: keep a backup of your Compose configuration and data before an update. The installer preserves your Compose file by default.

The dashboard listens on port 6050. Use a trusted local network and review security before making it reachable from elsewhere.

After the first message

Add one transport at a time. Configure access rules, send an incoming message and confirm reception at the intended destination. Each transport's status page states what has been demonstrated and what remains untested.

All MeshSat products are prototypes. A successful bench test is not evidence of emergency reliability. Troubleshooting covers connection and delivery failures.