Prepare your computer
Install the minimum tools to follow Cosmolab tutorials: an editor, terminal, USB drivers, and an up-to-date browser.
What you need
To follow Cosmolab tutorials you only need four things:
- A computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux
- A stable internet connection
- A free USB port (USB-A or USB-C with adapter)
- An up-to-date browser (Firefox, Chrome, or Safari)
Install an editor
We recommend VS Code or Cursor with C/C++ and Markdown extensions. The editor is mainly for reading code and Pure Data patches — it is not required for the first blink tutorial.
Terminal and permissions
On macOS and Linux, use the built-in terminal. On Windows, use PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
When you plug in your first Arduino board, you may need to allow serial port access — accept the operating system prompt.
USB drivers (only when needed)
| Platform | When a driver is needed |
|---|---|
| macOS | Almost never for official Arduino boards |
| Windows | Often for CH340/CP2102 clones |
| Linux | Add your user to the dialout group |
Quick check
Open a terminal and run:
python3 --version
git --version
Python is not required for every tutorial, but it is useful for deploy scripts and MQTT tools.
Next step
Once your editor and drivers are ready, move on to Your first Arduino blink — the fastest way to confirm that hardware and software talk to each other correctly.
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