For those who are stuck like I was and wish to run just Openwrt on their device, ie wipe the device of hak5 here's how to on Linux.
Note: The Wi-Fi pineapple just runs on top of the Openwrt framework. It runs a web server (ie the web interface we get), with a bunch of exec('...') commands in php or even python, with a pretty bootstrap layout. If you just install openwrt on the device, you can do all sorts of powerful features eg, evil portals, web servers, MITM, php, airmon etc.. and/or anything that the pineapple currently does today. All in Openwrt and much more, could even write your own web GUI! (which I don't advise).
1) Download the Openwrt upgrade firmware from Firmware page
2) Create a static connection so your pc can connect to the Wifi Pineapple as advised Connecting to the WIFI Pineapple on Linux
3) Turn off all your Wi-Fi connections and Ethernet (I do this to stop any ip confusion within my machine)
4) We now need to put the Wifi Pineapple into recovery mode so..
Connect a USB-C to USB-A lead to the pineapple and your PC, hold the reset button until you get 3 red blinking lights, then release the reset button. The light should stay red. If not, try again. I hold the reset button before I connect the lead.
5) Connect your pc to the Connection you setup in point 2.
6) In browser type 172.16.42.42 if should show Wifi pineapple recovery mode webpage, asking you to upload a new firmware image
7) Browse the firmware you downloaded in point 1, then upload. Let it do its stuff, blue light flashing.
8) When point 7 finished. Delete the connection in step 2 .
9) Disconnect, then reconnect the USB-C lead (power off/on).
10) Your PC should now recognise a Ethernet connection. Do a ifconfig .
11) In browser type 192.168.1.1
12) This is the Openwrt luci page. All done!
To install packages on this device the device will need internet connect so..
In a terminal
ssh 192.168.1.1
ifconfig wlan0 up
This will turn on the "radio" antenna so you can connect to your home Wi-Fi and download packages and firmware as required.
Good luck advantageous one...