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GRBL Machine Controller

A Python desktop application to control a GRBL-based CNC machine.

GRBL Machine Controller logo

About

GRBL Machine Controller is a Python desktop application built to drive a personal GRBL-based CNC machine. It connects to the controller board over serial and puts the essential day-to-day controls in one place: manual jogging, G-code job streaming, and probing with tool diameter compensation.

The machine can also be watched from the rest of the house: a built-in Home Assistant integration over MQTT automatically exposes sensors (status, position, RPM, progress), buttons and override controls through MQTT discovery, so the CNC shows up in Home Assistant without extra configuration.

What is here?

  • Manual jogging and G-code job streaming over serial
  • Probing with tool diameter compensation
  • Home Assistant integration via MQTT auto-discovery
  • Built-in simulator mode (--fake) that works without hardware
  • Qt (PySide6) user interface
  • Runs on a Raspberry Pi (systemd service included) or any machine with Python 3.9+, including Windows and WSL2

Work in progress

GRBL Machine Controller is under active development. Source code and documentation live on GitHub: radixhomework/grbl-machine-controller.