Okay, here’s my take on a blog post about using the Luigi framework with the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, written in a casual, conversational style, and all in English:
## Luigi and My Peak Design Backpack: A Practical Combo
Alright, so I’ve been messing around with Luigi for a while now – you know, that Python framework for building complex pipelines. And I’m also a big fan of my Peak Design Everyday Backpack. I use it, well, every day. It struck me the other day that these two things could actually work pretty well together, and I wanted to share what I figured out.
Basically, I wanted a way to kick off my Luigi workflows directly from my backpack. Sounds crazy? Maybe. But hear me out.
The Problem: Starting Luigi Tasks on the Go
Usually, I’d SSH into my server or use a web interface to start my Luigi tasks. But sometimes I have ideas while I’m out and about – commuting, grabbing coffee, waiting for the bus, you name it. It’d be awesome to just reach into my bag, pull out my phone, and kick things off.
My Solution: A Little Bit of Everything
Here’s what I cobbled together. It’s not the prettiest, but it works!
- A Raspberry Pi: I set up a Raspberry Pi Zero W and jammed it into one of the internal pockets of my Peak Design. I powered it with a small USB power bank, also inside the bag.
- SSH Access: I configured SSH access to the Pi, so I could connect from my phone.
- Luigi on the Pi: I installed Luigi on the Raspberry Pi. It acts as a remote client to trigger tasks on my main Luigi scheduler running on my server.
- Termux App (Android): On my Android phone, I installed Termux. This gives me a Linux terminal environment on my phone.
- SSH Client: Within Termux, I used the built-in SSH client to connect to the Raspberry Pi in my bag.
- A Simple Bash Script: Finally, I created a simple bash script on the Pi that runs a `luigi –module my_module MyTask` command. I can customize the script parameters later for other tasks.
How it Works (Step-by-Step):
- Grab Phone and Open Termux: I take out my phone from my backpack and open the Termux app.
- SSH into the Pi: I type `ssh pi@the_pi_ip_address` (or use a stored SSH key for faster access).
- Run the Script: After logging in, I type `./start_my_*`. Boom! The script runs the Luigi command.
- Luigi Magic Happens: The Pi contacts my Luigi scheduler, and the task starts running on my server.
The Setup Process (Roughly):
- First, I bought a Raspberry Pi Zero W and a power bank.
- Then, I installed Raspbian Lite on the Pi and configured WiFi.
- After that, I enabled SSH access and set up SSH keys for passwordless login (much easier!).
- Next, I installed Python and Luigi: `sudo apt-get update`, `sudo apt-get install python3 python3-pip`, `pip3 install luigi`.
- Afterwards, I created the bash script, made it executable with `chmod +x start_my_*`.
- Finally, I installed Termux on my phone, configured SSH, and tested the connection.
Why This is Kinda Cool (For Me):
- On-the-Go Task Starting: The most obvious benefit! I can start Luigi tasks whenever and wherever.
- Remote Monitoring: Since Luigi has a web UI, I can also check the status of my tasks from my phone.
- Hidden Tech: It’s fun having a little computer hidden in my backpack.
The Downsides (Let’s Be Real):
- Battery Life: The power bank needs recharging every few days, depending on how much I use it.
- Network Dependency: I need a decent internet connection on my phone for SSH to work reliably.
- Security: I need to be mindful of SSH security. Using SSH keys helps a lot.
- It’s a Hack: This is definitely not a production-ready solution. It’s more of a fun experiment.
Next Steps:
I’m thinking of adding a small OLED display to the Pi so I can see the status of the Luigi task directly without having to SSH in. Maybe a dedicated button to start a specific task too. Who knows? The possibilities are endless (and probably impractical)!
Anyway, that’s my slightly crazy Luigi-and-Peak-Design setup. Hope you found it interesting, or at least amusing! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
