Learn how to build smarter, cleaner Arduino projects using PlatformIO. Discover tutorials on migrating from the Arduino IDE, managing libraries, multi-board development, and professional workflows — all while keeping the simplicity of Arduino.
Version control is no longer just for large software teams—it's a vital tool for anyone building embedded projects with PlatformIO. In this guide, you'll learn how to integrate Git into your PlatformIO workflow to manage code changes, isolate new features, and track firmware releases with precision. From setting up a clean .gitignore to using branches effectively and tagging stable builds, this post walks you through a professional development process tailored for Arduino projects. Whether you're a solo tinkerer or preparing for collaboration, Git will help you write better code and recover faster when things go wrong.
Read MorePlatformIO supports hundreds of official development boards out of the box, but what if you're working with a lesser-known Arduino clone or a custom-designed board? In this post, we’ll walk through how to create and manage custom board definitions in PlatformIO using VS Code. You’ll learn how to define board-specific settings like MCU type, upload speed, and memory layout so you can fully integrate unsupported boards into your PlatformIO workflow. Whether you’re building with a cheap ATmega328P-based board from AliExpress or your own PCB design, this guide will help you make it behave like a first-class citizen in PlatformIO.
Read MoreAs embedded projects grow beyond a few hundred lines of code, managing a single main.cpp file becomes a recipe for confusion and bugs. PlatformIO offers a powerful and flexible structure that supports professional development workflows—but only if used effectively. This article explores best practices for organizing multi-file PlatformIO projects, focusing on clean modular design, proper use of src/ and include/, header file management, and long-term scalability. Whether you're refactoring a messy prototype or starting a new embedded system from scratch, a well-organized project layout is key to building reliable, maintainable firmware.
Read MoreRefactoring your Arduino `.ino` sketches into clean C++ modules makes your projects easier to maintain, scale, and reuse. In this guide, learn how to transform a single-file sketch into a structured PlatformIO project using .cpp and .h files, and discover how this modern workflow can make your code more robust and professional.
Read MorePlatformIO isn’t just about flashing firmware to your Arduino or ESP32 board—it’s also a complete development ecosystem that supports writing unit tests, running them locally, and keeping your embedded projects robust and maintainable. In this post, we’ll explore how to write testable code and run tests using PlatformIO’s built-in testing framework, all before the code ever reaches your hardware.
Read MoreThe Arduino IDE is simple and perfect for beginners — but what happens when your projects get bigger, or you want professional features like code completion, library management, and multi-board support? Learn why PlatformIO is the next step and discover how to switch your Arduino workflow without starting over.
Read MoreLearn practical, real-world techniques for debugging your Arduino sketches using PlatformIO—whether you only have your board and a USB cable, or you decide to explore optional hardware debuggers. Discover why the Serial Monitor remains the most powerful tool, how to use LEDs and code structure to your advantage, and what changes when you step into the world of hardware debugging.
Read MoreLearn how to configure a single PlatformIO project in Visual Studio Code to build and upload the same code to Arduino Uno, Nano, and Mega. This guide shows how to keep your code organized and easily switch between boards using the PlatformIO extension.
Read MoreAdding Arduino libraries by copying ZIP files can quickly become messy and hard to maintain. PlatformIO makes this process simpler and more reliable with lib_deps: declare your libraries once in the platformio.ini file, and PlatformIO handles installation, updates, and versioning automatically. This post explains how to add libraries using the VS Code extension or manually, and includes an example of displaying text on an OLED screen using the Adafruit SSD1306 library — all without manual copying or hidden dependencies.
Read MoreMoving beyond Arduino’s single `.ino` sketch, PlatformIO introduces a structured project layout designed for scalability and professional development. This post explores what each folder means — from `src/` for your main source code, `lib/` for private libraries, and `include/` for shared headers, to the powerful `platformio.ini` configuration file. Learn how this structure helps organize larger projects, simplifies dependency management, and makes your builds reproducible — and see why many Arduino users find it worth the switch.
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