## How to start with QPad RP 2040 and Micropython

- Download and install Thonny ([portable or instalable](https://thonny.org/))
- follow this tutorial (all to the bottom)
- https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/XIAO-RP2040-with-MicroPython/
- 

- **important part: how to add the board and how to load toolchain**
- important part: how to save a library in the rp2040
- **dont continue until you finish the tutorial**
- Now you can try the example of Kris
- before try, you need to add the library from neil: https://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/input_devices/step/RP2040/hello.steptime.RP2040.py
- Remember how to add a library: copy/paste code in thonny/save as/rpi/steptime.py

Now you can play around with micropython code in the board

Useful tips:
- remember to stop the running program before making anything
- if you try the program with the play button, you are running it from the computer. If you want this program to be the main program in the board, press "file-save as..." and select the Raspberry Pi option. Then store it as "main.py". This file name is the program that will start from the boot of the board
- if you modify any program that you stored in the RP2040 and want to upload the modifications, just press "save" button.

## Switch From micropython to Arduino (same as the beginning):
- Unplug the board
- press the BOOT button and plug the board
- open Arduino
- Select the board (Xiao RP2040) and the port (COMX)
- Copy and paste the blink example ([from the qpad git](https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/quentinbolsee/qpad-xiao/-/blob/main/code/Arduino/blink_RP2040/blink_RP2040.ino))
- upload code

When you upload the sketch, then the RP204 now has the bootloader ready JUST for Arduino

Now you can try the examples of the Qpad for Arduino:
https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/quentinbolsee/qpad-xiao/-/tree/main/code/Arduino

## How to start with Qpad RP 2040 and Arduino

- Open Arduino IDE and load the Xiao boards, following the Adrian tutorials: https://fabacademy.org/2020/labs/leon/students/adrian-torres/fabxiao.html
- In Preferences, we will add this URL in the additional boards box: https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json
- then go to toosl-boards-board manager and search for "pico". Install the first one
- after open again tools-board and search in the dropdown menu the "Seed Xiao RP2040"
- Then in the phisic board, press the BOOT button while connect on the usb port. a window pop up, you can close.
- 

- In arduino go to tools-port and choose the "UF2 board"
- Then open a sketch in Arduino (you can use the blink for this board in the examples of QPAD: https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/quentinbolsee/qpad-xiao/-/blob/main/code/Arduino/blink_RP2040/blink_RP2040.ino?ref_type=heads)
- Then press the upload button.

From this point, your board can only accept code from the Arduino IDE. You have changed the bootloader.