# CircuitPython merges 87 PRs: async SPI, ESP32 Digital Signature, web workflow display mirroring

> **Key takeaway:** CircuitPython's post-11.0.0-alpha.2 development adds awaitable non-blocking SPI transfers, hardware-accelerated JPEG decoding on ESP32-P4, and browser-based display mirroring for embedded workflows.

**Published:** 2026-11-10T18:53:37+00:00 
**Source:** Adafruit Electronics 
**Category:** open-hardware 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/circuitpython-merges-87-prs-async-spi-esp32-digital-signatur.html 

## Summary
The CircuitPython project has merged 87 pull requests since the 11.0.0-alpha.2 release on October 21, introducing substantial hardware and networking capabilities for microcontroller development. Key additions include an async_spi module enabling awaitable non-blocking SPI transfers, ESP32 Digital Signature support for mutual TLS without exposing private keys in RAM, and a web workflow feature that mirrors a board's physical display inside a browser. The project also reached 600 libraries in its combined official and community bundles, expanding sensor, display, and radio support.

New hardware targets include the Equinox RP2350, ThePiHut Baguette S3, and M5Stack AtomS3R boards. The ESP32-P4 and ESP32-S31 gain hardware JPEG decoding and a camera/video pipeline, while the ESP32-S2 and ESP32-S3 receive PWM audio support. A new official pre-release incorporating these changes is expected the week following this newsletter's publication.

## What changed in CircuitPython since 11.0.0-alpha.2
- **async_spi module:** Adds awaitable non-blocking SPI transfers, enabling cooperative multitasking during peripheral communication without blocking the interpreter.
- **ESP32 Digital Signature peripheral:** Supports mutual TLS authentication while keeping private keys out of RAM, using the chip's hardware security features for key storage.
- **Web workflow display mirroring:** The Fruit Jam board can expose a web page that mirrors the physical display in real time, allowing remote debugging and control via browser.
- **Camera and video pipeline:** New infrastructure for image capture and processing, paired with hardware JPEG decoding on ESP32-P4 and ESP32-S31 variants.
- **PWM audio on ESP32-S2/S3:** Expands audio output capabilities on these specific ESP32 variants without requiring external I2S DACs.

## Why it matters
The async_spi module and hardware security features address long-standing limitations in Python-on-microcontrollers: cooperative concurrency and secure credential handling. For Linux-adjacent open hardware developers, the web workflow display mirroring lowers the barrier to headless device management, while the 600-library milestone demonstrates sustained community investment in driver coverage that rivals Arduino's ecosystem breadth.