Set Up Your
TableStage

From download to your first battlemap in about 15 minutes. TableStage turns a Raspberry Pi 4B into a full-screen display with animated maps up to 4K, fog of war, and audio, all controlled from your phone.

What You Need

  • Raspberry Pi 4B 4 GB RAM minimum · 8 GB recommended
  • microSD Card 32 GB minimum · Class 10 or better
  • USB-C Power Supply Official Raspberry Pi PSU or 5V / 3A equivalent
  • HDMI Cable Micro-HDMI to HDMI · Not included with Pi
  • TV or Monitor Any HDMI screen · 1080p or 4K recommended
  • Wi-Fi Network 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz · Controller & Pi on same network
  • Phone or Tablet Any device with a modern browser · No app required
  • Computer To flash the SD card · Windows, macOS, or Linux
  • Software Raspberry Pi Imager or balenaEtcher
  • License Key From your purchase confirmation email

Step by Step

  1. Download the Image

    Download the latest TableStage image file for Raspberry Pi 4B. This is the operating system that runs everything: maps, controller, fog of war, and audio.

    The download runs in trial mode

    Until you enter your license key (step 6), the image runs capped: up to 3 maps loaded at once (10 in total), fog of war, and 1 music plus 2 ambience tracks playing at a time. Activating removes the caps (unlimited maps and audio) and unlocks premium effects: weather, bloom, color grading, Bluetooth/AirPlay, and backups. There is no time limit.

  2. Flash the SD Card

    Write the image to your microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager. Select the downloaded file as the source and your SD card as the target.

    Flashing with Raspberry Pi Imager

    The TableStage image isn't in the OS list, so you pick it manually under "Use custom". Here is the full flow, screen by screen.

    1. Under CHOOSE DEVICE, select Raspberry Pi 4. This must match your hardware.
    2. Under CHOOSE OS, scroll to the bottom and pick "Use custom", then select the tablestage-os.img.xz file you downloaded.
    3. Under CHOOSE STORAGE, select your microSD card. Double-check the size so you do not overwrite the wrong drive.
    4. Review the summary: device, tablestage-os.img.xz, and your SD card. When it looks right, click WRITE.
    5. Confirm the erase warning to begin. Flashing takes a few minutes; keep the card connected until it finishes.

  3. Plug In & Power On

    Insert the flashed card, connect HDMI to your screen, and connect USB-C power. TableStage starts automatically. No keyboard needed.

  4. Connect Your Phone

    TableStage displays a QR code and local address on screen. Scan it or enter the address in any browser on your phone or tablet.

  5. Run the Setup Wizard

    The on-screen wizard guides you through Wi-Fi configuration and creates a new QR code tied to your network. Takes under two minutes.

  6. Activate Your License

    Enter the license key from your purchase email in the controller. Activation needs a brief internet connection; gameplay stays fully local.

  7. Upload Your First Map

    Upload a battlemap from your phone and send it to the big screen. You're ready to play.

Troubleshooting

Check that the HDMI cable is firmly connected before powering on. The Pi must detect a display at boot. Try a different HDMI port or cable if the screen remains black.

Make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Pi. The TableStage address is shown on screen; enter it manually if the QR scan fails.

Use the official Raspberry Pi Imager and ensure your SD card is at least 32 GB Class 10. Some older card readers can cause write errors; try a different reader if flashing fails.

The Pi's address on your network can change after a restart. Check your router's device list for the current IP, or re-scan the QR code shown on the display at startup.

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