A DIY cyberdeck built into a mermaid pink clutch purse uses a Raspberry Pi 3A+, custom TUI software, and a swappable mermaid pet.
A DIY cyberdeck built to look like a mermaid clutch purse has appeared online, and it leaves little doubt about where the “girly” part of the project belongs: right in the hardware and the experience.
The build. titled “Mermaid in the Shell” by [cc] (also known as [bossbratox]). starts with something surprisingly practical for a portable computer case: a frame clutch purse.. Its hinges and latches provide a ready-made enclosure. while the fact that these purses can be found shaped like pink seashells makes it an instantly themed shell for the tech inside.
On the user-facing side. the project pairs a ZitaoTech BB Q10 keyboard in white with a 3.5-inch touchscreen. using the screen as the main interface.. At the heart of the device is a Raspberry Pi 3A+. turning the clutch purse into a genuinely pocketable computing platform rather than a purely decorative gadget.
The choice of hardware naturally raises the obvious question: what can you do with a Pi 3A+ in 2026? The constraints are part of the story. Sources indicate the Pi 3A+ is limited for “full-fat” desktop Linux, with performance and memory that can feel out of date for heavier desktop environments.
Instead of trying to force a desktop workflow, [cc] designed around the platform’s limits. With 512 MB of RAM, the device is set up to avoid the expectations of a traditional desktop and to focus on what the hardware can deliver reliably when you keep the system lean.
A custom terminal user interface (TUI) ties the whole experience together. delivering what the builder says is everything needed to use the cyberdeck as a self-contained tool.. The interface includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. a full terminal workflow. and a remote serial monitor for managing and inspecting the system remotely.
For everyday tasks, the TUI setup adds a local LLM chatbot and a PDF reader, alongside a text editor.. In other words. the cyberdeck isn’t just a toy for boot-up curiosity; it’s positioned as a compact environment for writing. reading. and lightweight AI-style interaction—without requiring a desktop operating setup.
The most distinctive part is also the most playful: a “mermaid digital pet” living inside the terminal interface.. The project keeps that element customizable too, with user-skinnable sprites.. If you want a terminal tamagotchi with a different look. sources indicate the code is available on GitHub so you can swap the artwork for your own version.
The builder’s approach also highlights a broader DIY lesson: aesthetics don’t have to stop at the outside.. The report points to the relevance of good-looking PCB work now that colors and finishes (including pink) are increasingly available—tying the project’s themed identity to the electronics themselves. not only the casing.
Whether you’re drawn to the “femme-ergy and kawaii” energy of this Mermaid in the Shell deck or you prefer a more utilitarian, tacticool build style, the larger takeaway is that small computers are getting more personal—down to the interfaces people actually live in every day.
cyberdeck DIY Raspberry Pi 3A+ portable PC terminal user interface local LLM chatbot touchscreen keyboard build GitHub customizable pet