CoolerDash
Linux LCD telemetry and customization for NZXT Kraken and other AIO coolers, powered by CoolerControl. CoolerDash shows live CPU, GPU, and liquid temperatures with display layouts, sensor choices, and animated GIFs on compatible devices.
These are the layouts rendered for my NZXT Kraken 2023. I used previews because the reflective glass makes photos hard to read.
Check supported devices · Install CoolerDash
CoolerDash works on confirmed NZXT Kraken models, including Kraken 2023, Z63, and Plus 240. Other NZXT coolers can work if CoolerControl and liquidctl support their LCDs. CoolerControl 3.1.0 or newer is required.
The Kraken 2023 Elite is partially supported due to liquidctl bucket errors. A fix is available as a PR, but its effect on this CoolerDash report is unconfirmed.
Features
- Show CPU, GPU, liquid temperature, and other CoolerControl sensor values.
- Choose from Split, Dual, and Circle display modes.
- Adjust the layout and sensor values in the CoolerDash interface inside CoolerControl.
- Play animated GIFs on the LCD (BETA).
Officially listed by CoolerControl as a 2nd Party (Trusted) Plugin.
Special thanks to @codifryed, the founder of CoolerControl.
Join the CoolerDash channel on the official CoolerControl Discord:
System Requirements
- OS: Linux (systemd or openrc)
- CoolerControl: Version >=3.1.0 REQUIRED - must be installed and running Installation Guide
- CPU: x86-64
- LCD: AIO liquid cooler LCD displays (NZXT, etc.)
See Supported Devices for confirmed hardware. You can submit a device confirmation for another LCD cooler.
Installation
Arch-based distributions
# Install with an AUR helper
yay -S coolerdash-git
#OR any other AUR helper
Pre-built packages:
Manual installation
# STEP 1: Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/damachine/coolerdash.git
cd coolerdash
# STEP 2: Install dependencies, build, and install
sudo make install
For manual installations, make sure all required dependencies are installed correctly. Manual installations need to be updated manually.
Configuration
Required: Access Token
- In CoolerControl, open Access Protection → Access Tokens.
- Create a token with Write Access enabled (for example, named
coolerdash) and copy it.
- Open Plugins → CoolerDash → Connection, paste it into Access Token, and save.
CoolerDash only reads sensor data and does not change sensor settings. Write Access is required solely to update the LCD through CoolerControl. See the CoolerControl access token documentation.
Optional: Customize other settings in the CoolerDash UI.
Hardware Reports
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Usage
If an AIO LCD is unsupported or only partially working, create a sanitized
hardware report:
coolerdash --hardware-report
CoolerDash writes a JSON report and a Markdown summary to your home directory.
Nothing is uploaded automatically. Review both files before attaching the JSON
and pasting the Markdown summary into a
Device Confirmation Issue.
An optional LCD test is available when no other CoolerDash instance is running:
coolerdash --hardware-report --test-lcd
The test requires an explicit TEST confirmation, temporarily displays a test
image with geometry guides, records the visible panel shape and centering, and
then restores the previous LCD settings. For a new or unknown LCD model, use
this form so the report contains enough evidence for a display profile.
Advanced overrides:
coolerdash --hardware-report --output-dir /path/to/reports
coolerdash --hardware-report --test-lcd --device DEVICE_UID
coolerdash --hardware-report /custom/config.json
The report omits access tokens, serial numbers, raw device UIDs, host/user names,
IP addresses, and personal paths. It includes sanitized CoolerControl and
liquidctl metadata plus matching USB device, interface, and endpoint
descriptors. These descriptors identify available HID/bulk paths but do not
capture USB traffic or reveal an unknown pixel protocol.
Advanced Usage
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Build Commands
make # Standard C99 build
make clean # Clean up
make install-deps # Install dependencies only
sudo make install # Install dependencies, build, and install
sudo make uninstall # Remove the program and preserve user data
make debug # Debug build with AddressSanitizer
make help # Show all options
Debugging
# 1. Check CoolerControl status
systemctl status coolercontrold
# or on OpenRC:
rc-service coolercontrold status
curl http://localhost:11987/devices
# 2. Test CoolerDash manually (with clean output)
/usr/libexec/coolerdash/coolerdash
# 3. Test CoolerDash with detailed verbose logging
/usr/libexec/coolerdash/coolerdash --verbose
# or short form:
/usr/libexec/coolerdash/coolerdash -v
# 4. Debug build and installation (recommended)
# Option A — Build as your user, then install the ASan binary:
make debug
sudo make install
# Option B — Build as your user and install the debug binary manually (recommended):
make clean && make debug
sudo install -Dm755 bin/coolerdash /usr/libexec/coolerdash/coolerdash
# Notes:
# • Run `make clean && make` to switch from a debug build back to a normal build.
# • If you previously built as root and own files are root-owned, fix ownership before rebuilding:
# sudo chown -R $USER:$USER build bin
# 5. Check plugin logs (STATUS messages always visible)
journalctl -xeu coolercontrold.service -f
# On OpenRC, inspect your configured system logger for CoolerControl/coolerdash output.
# 6. View recent logs with context
journalctl -u coolercontrold.service -n 50
Troubleshooting
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Installation Issues
If you see errors like “conflicting files” or “manual installation detected” during Arch/AUR makepkg -si, CoolerDash was previously installed manually via make install.
Solution:
sudo make uninstall
Check CoolerControl devices is detected
liquidctl --version
# Expected: liquidctl v1.15.0 (or newer)
liquidctl --list
# Expected: Device #0: NZXT Kraken 2023
curl http://localhost:11987/devices | jq
{
"name": "NZXT Kraken 2023",
"type": "Liquidctl",
"type_index": 1,
"uid": "8d4becb03bca2a8e8d4213ac376a1094f39d2786f688549ad3b6a591c3affdf9",
"lc_info": {
"driver_type": "KrakenZ3",
"firmware_version": "2.0.0",
"unknown_asetek": false
}
}
Documentation
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