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Getting Started with WidgetDev: Your First Widget Setup

Learn how to set up your first GitHub or GitLab widget in under 5 minutes. A complete guide to bringing your repositories to your home screen.

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Welcome to WidgetDev

As developers, we constantly switch between apps and browser tabs to check our repositories. Did that build pass? Are there new pull requests? What's my contribution streak today?

WidgetDev eliminates this friction by bringing your GitHub and GitLab activity directly to your device's home screen, lock screen, and even your smartwatch. In this tutorial, you'll set up your first widget in under 5 minutes.

Step 1: Download and Install

First, download WidgetDev from your device's app store:

  • iOS/iPadOS: Search for "WidgetDev" in the App Store
  • Android: Find it on Google Play Store
  • macOS: Available in the Mac App Store
  • Windows: Download from Microsoft Store

The app is free to download and includes a generous free tier that works perfectly for individual developers.

Step 2: Connect Your Account

When you first open WidgetDev, you'll be prompted to connect your GitHub or GitLab account. This process uses secure OAuth authentication—your credentials never leave your device.

  • Tap Connect GitHub or Connect GitLab
  • Sign in through the official GitHub/GitLab login page
  • Authorize WidgetDev to access your repository data
  • You'll be redirected back to the app automatically

Your authentication token is stored securely in your device's keychain (iOS) or keystore (Android), and is never sent to our servers.

Step 3: Add Your First Widget

Now for the fun part—adding a widget to your home screen!

On iOS/iPadOS:

  • Long-press on your home screen until apps start jiggling
  • Tap the + button in the top-left corner
  • Search for "WidgetDev" and select it
  • Choose a widget size: Small, Medium, or Large
  • Tap Add Widget
  • Tap the widget to configure which data to display

On Android:

  • Long-press on your home screen and select Widgets
  • Find WidgetDev in the widget list
  • Choose your preferred widget style and size
  • Drag it to your home screen
  • Tap to configure your preferences

Step 4: Customize Your Widget

WidgetDev offers several widget types to choose from:

  • Contribution Graph: Your familiar GitHub-style activity heatmap
  • Pull Request Counter: See open PRs at a glance
  • Repository Status: Quick overview of your main repo's health
  • Build Status: CI/CD pipeline status (Pro only)

For your first widget, we recommend starting with the Contribution Graph—it's motivating to see your coding streak every time you unlock your phone!

Step 5: Tap to Open

One of the best features of WidgetDev is that every widget is interactive. Tap any widget to instantly open your repository in the GitHub or GitLab app (or your browser if you prefer).

No more hunting through tabs or typing URLs—just tap and go.

Next Steps

Congratulations! You've set up your first WidgetDev widget. Here are some ideas to level up your setup:

  • Add multiple widgets to track different repositories
  • Try adding a widget to your lock screen (iOS 16+)
  • Set up a smartwatch complication for quick wrist checks
  • Upgrade to Pro for real-time updates and advanced features

Questions? Reach out on Twitter or email me at bartzalewskidev@gmail.com. Happy coding!