# alienware-m15-rgb: Linux control of the m15 R2 lighting controllers

> alienware-m15-rgb implements Linux control of the Alienware m15 R2's per-key keyboard and chassis lighting through HID reports. Its protocol notes describe the Darfon API_V5 feature-report sequence and AW-ELC API_V4 output reports, including separate handling for the power-button light.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/Louisreed/alienware-m15-rgb>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/Louisreed/alienware-m15-rgb/blob/3a7bd4487048aa224287efce217c561e2224a7dc/docs/PROTOCOL.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/alienware-m15-rgb-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/alienware-m15-rgb-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/alienware-m15-rgb-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** An Alienware m15 R2 with the documented Darfon and AW-ELC controllers and Linux hidraw access are required.
- **Prerequisites:** A udev rule enables access without root; wallpaper matching additionally requires ImageMagick.
- **Limits:** Other notebooks using the same keyboard protocol are described as possible but unconfirmed.
- **License:** GPL-3.0-or-later license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/Louisreed/alienware-m15-rgb/blob/3a7bd4487048aa224287efce217c561e2224a7dc/docs/PROTOCOL.md>
2. <https://github.com/Louisreed/alienware-m15-rgb/blob/3a7bd4487048aa224287efce217c561e2224a7dc/README.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.