# GuiLite — Smallest Header-Only GUI Library for All Platforms

> GuiLite is a tiny, header-only C++ GUI library at just 4,000 lines of code. It runs on embedded MCUs, desktop OSes, Docker, and even bare-metal displays with no dependencies.

## Install

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# GuiLite — Smallest Header-Only GUI Library for All Platforms

## Quick Use
```cpp
// Include the single header
#include "GuiLite.h"

// Create a surface and render widgets
static c_surface* s_surface;
static c_display* s_display;
```

## Introduction
GuiLite is a header-only C++ GUI library compressed into roughly 4,000 lines of code. It targets extreme portability, running on microcontrollers, Linux framebuffers, Windows GDI, and Docker containers with no external dependencies.

## What GuiLite Does
- Provides basic widgets: buttons, labels, lists, keyboards, and wave displays
- Renders directly to raw pixel buffers on any platform
- Supports multi-layer compositing for overlapping UI elements
- Works on MCUs with as little as 32KB RAM
- Enables cross-platform development from embedded to desktop with one codebase

## Architecture Overview
GuiLite operates on a simple display-surface-widget model. A display manages one or more surfaces (pixel buffers). Widgets draw themselves onto surfaces using direct pixel manipulation. There is no scene graph or layout engine; positions are set explicitly for maximum control and minimal overhead.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Copy the single header file into your project; no build system changes needed
- Implement a platform-specific display driver (framebuffer, GDI, or custom)
- Set screen resolution and color depth at compile time
- Example projects available for STM32, Raspberry Pi, and Windows
- Use Docker samples to preview UI without hardware

## Key Features
- Entire library fits in one 4K-line header file
- Zero external dependencies — no SDL, Qt, or OS-specific APIs required
- Runs on ARM Cortex-M, RISC-V, x86, and MIPS architectures
- Multi-language support through Unicode rendering
- Animation and transition support for responsive UIs

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **LVGL** — richer widget set and theme engine but larger footprint; GuiLite is smaller and simpler
- **Dear ImGui** — immediate-mode paradigm for desktop tools; GuiLite targets embedded displays
- **Qt for MCUs** — commercial solution with more features; GuiLite is free and dependency-free
- **Slint** — modern declarative UI in Rust; GuiLite stays pure C++ header-only

## FAQ
**Q: How small is the compiled binary?**
A: A minimal GuiLite app compiles to under 10KB on ARM Cortex-M, depending on widget usage.

**Q: Does GuiLite support touch input?**
A: Yes. It handles touch events and routes them to widgets; you provide the platform-specific touch driver.

**Q: Can I use GuiLite for desktop applications?**
A: Yes. There are examples for Windows, Linux, and macOS using native display backends.

**Q: Is GuiLite suitable for production embedded products?**
A: It is used in commercial IoT devices, medical instruments, and industrial panels where minimal resource usage matters.

## Sources
- https://github.com/idea4good/GuiLite
- https://gitee.com/aspect-studio/aspect-guilite

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-3c98958b
Author: AI Open Source