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Programming the LilyMini

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Contributors: MikeGrusin, Gella
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Setting Up Arduino

When you first install the Arduino software, it knows how to program a number of "standard" Arduino-compatible boards. You can add the LilyMini to this list by following the three steps below. You'll need to do these steps on every machine you want to use to program LilyMini, but once it's done, it won't need to be done again.

BETA SOFTWARE ALERT! We've been working hard to add LilyMini programming support to Arduino. The instructions below will let you test what we have so far, but we're still chasing down some bugs. The basics work (digital out, digital in, analog in, and serial monitor), but other features are in progress and may not work correctly (yet). We're providing these instructions for those who want to try out LilyMini programming as soon as possible. These instructions will be updated as we fix bugs and add features. (And if you have fixes for us, by all means let us know!)
The LilyMini extensions currently work on Mac and Windows 10 systems. Linux support is untested. We are actively working on support for earlier versions of Windows.
Update Arduino! LilyMini will only work with Arduino version 1.8 or higher. Please install (or update to) the latest version of Arduino before installing the LilyMini software.

If this is your first time using Arduino, you can install it by following our Installing the Arduino IDE tutorial.

Connect to the Internet! You'll need to be connected to the internet to install the LilyMini software.
Beta Testers: If you've been helping us out with beta testing (thank you!), you'll need to delete the earlier SparkFun SAMD Boards entry from Board Manager, delete the beta testing URL from preferences, restart Arduino, and continue with the steps below.

Ready? Let's get started!

1. Add Sparkfun to your Preferences

Start the Arduino software (version 1.8 or higher) and open the Preferences window by choosing File > Preferences from the menu.

Now copy the below text and paste it into the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" text box:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Boards/master/IDE_Board_Manager/package_sparkfun_index.json

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No room? If there is already a URL in the box, click the button to the right of the box. This will open a window allowing you to paste the URL onto a new line. (Beta testers should delete previous Sparkfun URLs.)

When you're done, click the "OK" button.

2. Install Arduino SAMD Boards

We'll now install two Arduino extensions. The first allows Arduino to compile code for "SAMD" processors (which the LilyMini uses), and the second one will add the LilyMini specifically.

Start up Arduino, and open the Boards Manager window by choosing Tools > Board > Boards Manager... (The Boards Manager option is at the very top of the list of boards; you may need to scroll up to see it.)

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When the Boards Manager window opens, it will present a long list of options. Type "samd" (without quotes) into the "Filter your search" box at the top of the window. This will shrink the list down to the options with "samd" in them.

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You should see two (or more) entries, including Arduino SAMD Boards and SparkFun SAMD Boards. We'll install both of these, starting with Arduino SAMD Boards.

Order counts! Though you'll be installing both "SAMD" entries, be sure to install the Arduino SAMD Boards entry FIRST.
Troubleshooting: If you don't see a SparkFun entry, double check that you did step one properly and that you're connected to the internet. You might also try closing and restarting the Arduino software.

Click anywhere in the Arduino SAMD Boards box. A version number and an "Install" button will appear. Click the install button. This will download and install the extension. This extension is quite large and will take a while to install. It may also ask for permission to install drivers; please let it do so.

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If everything worked, a blue "INSTALLED" should appear next to the Arduino SAMD Boards title.

3. Install SparkFun SAMD Boards

When the Arduino SAMD Boards has finished installing, click anywhere in the SparkFun SAMD Boards box. A version number and an "Install" button will appear.

BEFORE CLICKING "INSTALL" CHOOSE VERSION 1.4.0 FROM THE DROPDOWN MENU. Later versions do not include the LilyMini downloading tool.

Once you've selected 1.4.0 from the version list, click the install button. This package is small and will install much faster than the Arduino SAMD Boards.

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If everything worked, a blue "INSTALLED" should appear next to the SparkFun SAMD Boards title. Congratulations, you're done installing the LilyMini extensions!

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