Open-source project offers minimalist home screen for Samsung The Frame
Developer nthnclrk released CleanFrame, an open-source project providing a minimalist home screen interface for Samsung The Frame TVs running Tizen. The tool replaces the default interface with a quiet layout featuring apps, a photograph, and a clock, optimized for remote control navigation. While designed for portability, the codebase requires significant adaptation for different hardware. The project aims to give users a more aesthetic, less cluttered viewing experience, though it remains a work-in-progress with limited cross-device support.
Key points
- Developer nthnclrk has released CleanFrame, an open-source project that creates a minimalist home screen interface specifically for Samsung The Frame TVs running the Tizen operating system.
- The interface replaces the default Samsung home screen with a quiet layout displaying user-selected apps, a background photograph, and a simple 12-hour clock, designed for navigation via TV remote controls.
- The project requires Node.js 22+ and Python 3.10+ for browser preview, and users must adapt setup scripts to their specific computer, TV, and firmware versions, as portability is currently limited.
- CleanFrame allows users to customize layouts (List or Dock), backgrounds (light, dark, or photo), and typography, though it currently relies on specific fonts like Manrope, Geist, and Newsreader.
- The developer recommends forking the repository and using coding agents to adapt the setup, warning that native home/startup changes require careful testing to avoid issues on individual hardware configurations.
A new open-source project has emerged for owners of Samsung The Frame televisions, offering a way to replace the standard home screen with a minimalist, aesthetic interface. Developed by nthnclrk, CleanFrame is designed specifically for the Tizen operating system used in Samsung's display-focused TVs. The project aims to reduce visual clutter by presenting only essential elements: a user-defined list of applications, a background photograph, and a simple clock, all navigable via the standard TV remote.
The codebase is available on GitHub, allowing users to preview the interface in a browser before installing it on their hardware. However, the developer notes that the project is primarily optimized for their own specific setup, meaning users will likely need to adapt the installation scripts to match their own computer, TV model, and firmware version. The tool requires Node.js 22+ and Python 3.10+ to run the local preview, which simulates the remote control experience using keyboard inputs.
Customization options include choosing between list or dock layouts, selecting background styles, and adjusting typography. While the project provides a starting point, it is not yet fully portable. The developer encourages users to fork the repository and use coding assistants to tailor the setup, cautioning that modifying native startup files can be risky without proper recovery steps. This development reflects a growing trend among tech enthusiasts seeking to personalize smart TV interfaces beyond the limitations of manufacturer defaults.
Sources
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