Getting Started with CircuitPython
New to CircuitPython? Start here: set up your board, learn the editor and console, then wire up and blink your first LED.
Welcome!
This tutorial is going to walk you through everything you need to start writing CircuitPython programs. We'll go through everything from installing the initial software on your microcontroller all the way to blinking your first LED.
Each section in this tutorial will build on the last. Feel free to jump around, but if something doesn't quite make sense, make sure to go back and confirm your understanding of each previous step.
There is no software required for this tutorial, but you will need to make sure you have the basic hardware to follow along. I suggest picking up this kit from Amazon. It has everything you need to get into learning about microcontrollers and even to build up some fairly advanced projects. If you have your own hardware or would like to save a little bit of money, you will need to source a handful of parts that we will cover in the first step.
If at any time you need help or have suggestions for improvements for this tutorial send a message in the discord and someone will lend a hand!
Common terms
- Microcontroller (MCU): The circuit board that you upload your code to. It is the one that has the USB port on it.
FAQ
What is CircuitPython?
You may have heard of the programming language Python before but what is this "CircuitPython" thing? To put it simply, CircuitPython is a version of Python made to make programming microcontrollers easy. It is focused on being easy for beginners but can be used to make just about anything you can think of! You may find in the future that you outgrow CircuitPython but if you want the lowest barrier to entry to getting started making your own electronics projects, there is nothing better in my opinion.
Do I need to know programming?
This tutorial series assumes at least a basic level of programming knowledge. We will cover things briefly as they come up but will not go into details. If you want to take some time to get familiar with the basics of regular Python before starting take a look at Python's own beginner's guide.
Do I need previous electronics knowledge?
You do not need to have any former knowledge of electronics hardware to follow this tutorial.
What if I get stuck?
If at any time you need help or have suggestions for improvements for this tutorial send a message in the discord and someone will lend a hand!