Why I built this

I've worked from home for years. And for years, my kids have walked in during video calls. My partner has popped in with “quick questions” right as I'm about to present. I've tried closed doors, handwritten signs, even a shared Google Calendar — nothing stuck.

The problem isn't that my family doesn't care. It's that they have no easy way to know when I'm actually busy. Checking a calendar app is too much friction. A closed door could mean anything.

So I started building myofficestatus: a platform that connects your calendar to a physical light in your home. Red means busy. Green means available. It syncs automatically so you don't even have to think about it.

I also wanted it to be open. Not everyone wants to buy a dedicated gadget — some people already have smart lights, and some want to build their own. So the software works with our official hardware, compatible third-party devices, and a DIY ESP32 build that costs under $25. The maker community is a big part of what makes this fun.