# Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/075/875/medium800/educators_cpx_in_hand-crop.jpg?1558561952) This guide is designed to get you up and running quickly with  **Circuit Playground Express** and **CircuitPython**. You'll learn how to: - Install drivers on Windows (for Windows 7 or 8, not needed on Windows 10, Mac or Linux) - Install CircuitPython - Upload new code - Install libraries This guide is intended for use with a **brand**   **new** Circuit Playground Express in its **default configuration**. For a **more thorough** guide that covers all the relevant details, check out the full [Circuit Playground Express guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express). ## What you'll need ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg) ## Your computer You'll need a computer running **Windows** , **Linux** , or **MacOS** to upload software to your Circuit Playground Express.  **Circuit Playground Express** shows up on your computer as an **external drive**. You'll run new code by **saving** or **copying** files directly to this drive. # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Install Drivers (Windows) Warning: ## Download If your computer runs **Windows 7 or 8** , click the green button below to **download** the **Adafruit**   **Driver Installer**. [Download Adafruit Windows Driver Installer](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Windows_Drivers/releases/download/2.3.4/adafruit_drivers_2.3.4.0.exe) ## Install Once the installer is downloaded, **double-click** the file to **open** and **run** it. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/383/medium800/educators_driver_checkboxes.jpg?1559606194) After confirming the license agreement, you'll see a **list of possible drivers** to install. Items on this list will vary depending on what version of Windows you have. Click the **checkbox** next to **each driver** **name** and then click the **Install** button. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/384/medium800/educators_driver_done.jpg?1559606209) Once the driver has **finished installing** , you can move on to the next step. # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Install CircuitPython Installing **CircuitPython**  is easy and it allows you to **write code** in the language designed specifically to work with  **Circuit Playground Express.** ## Download CircuitPython UF2 Click the button below to open the [Circuit Playground Express page on CircuitPython.org](https://circuitpython.org/board/circuitplayground_express/).  [Download CircuitPython .UF2 file](https://circuitpython.org/board/circuitplayground_express/) Click the **DOWNLOAD .UF2 NOW** button near the top of the page. **Save** the **UF2 file** to a convenient location on your computer. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/397/medium800/educators_download_circpy_uf2-3.jpg?1559608029) ## Connect via USB Use the **micro USB cable** to connect **Circuit Playground Express** to a free USB port on your computer. Once connected, **Circuit Playground Express** will begin running its  **default code.** You should see the built-in  **neopixel LEDs light up** and start animating. Pressing the **large button** on the **left side** of the board will **play** a simple melody. ## Enter boot mode Info: Press the small **Reset** button in the **middle of the board once**. You should see all of the **LEDs** turn  **green**. A new drive will appear on your computer named  **CPLAYBOOT.** ![educators_circuitpy_reset_button.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/510/medium640/educators_circuitpy_reset_button.jpg?1559761014) ![educators_circuitpy_cplayboot.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/512/medium640/educators_circuitpy_cplayboot.jpg?1559761052) ## Copy UF2 File ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/388/medium800/educators_updatecircpy_drag_uf2.jpg?1559607853) **Copy** the **CircuitPython** **.uf2** file to your **Circuit Playground Express** by dragging and dropping it onto the **CPLAYBOOT** drive. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/490/medium800/educators_circuitpy_finder.jpg?1559708599) After the file is copied, the **CPLAYBOOT** drive will  **disappear** and a **CIRCUITPY** drive will appear in its place.  That's all - you've successfully **installed**   **CircuitPython** on your Circuit Playground Express! Info: # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Upload Code Now that you've got CircuitPython installed, it's time to try **uploading** your **first** new piece of **code**. ## Download Examples **Click** the **button below** to download a **zip file** containing a collection of **sample code** for the **Circuit Playground Express**. [Download Examples](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_CircuitPlayground/tree/master/examples) Once downloaded, **unzip the file**. It should create a folder named **examples.** ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/506/medium800/educators_example_file.jpg?1559759513) Inside the **examples** folder, find the **file**  named  **circuitplayground\_pixels\_simpletest.py**. ## Upload Code **Copy** the  **circuitplayground\_pixels\_simpletest.py**  file onto the **CIRCUITPY** drive. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/507/medium800/educators_example_rename_arrow.jpg?1559759985) Once it's copied over to the **CIRCUITPY** drive, **rename** the  **circuitplayground\_pixels\_simpletest.py** file to **code.py**. ## What did it do? The Circuit Playground Express will now **restart** and the **LEDs** will display a slowly changing **rainbow** of color.  **Congrats** - you've just uploaded your first new piece of code! To **see** the **actual code** that's controlling the LEDs, you can **open** up  **CIRCUITPY** / **code.py** in a text editor. Learn more about editing CircuitPython files [here](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express/installing-mu-editor). ## Goal! You've now **installed CircuitPython** and **uploaded** and **run** your first **new** piece of **code**. This is the essential basics of working with Circuit Playground Express & CircuitPython. Next, we'll look at **libraries** - which aren't always required, but will definitely be helpful as you learn to **write code** and **interface** with **hardware**. # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Download Libraries **CircuitPython** code uses **libraries** to **simplify** the programming process. Most code will only use a **few specific**  libraries, but it's a good idea to **download all**  of the them just in case. Completing this step will equip you with the tools you need to build **new projects**  going forward. ## Download Bundle **Click** the button below to **open** the **CircuitPython Libraries** page. [CircuitPython Libraries](https://circuitpython.org/libraries) On the  **CircuitPython Libraries** page **,** click the ** file name** that **matches** the **version** **number** of the  **CircuitPython**  file you downloaded earlier. For example - If your **CircuitPython file** was **named** :  `adafruit-circuitpython-circuitplayground_express-en_US-4.0.1.uf2` Then you would **download** the **library bundle** **named** : `adafruit-circuitpython-bundle-4.x-mpy-20190603.zip` ## View Libraries Once downloaded, **unzip** the **library bundle** and **open** it. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/988/medium800/educators_updatelib_lib_contents.jpg?1560376363) **Inside**  of the  **library bundle** , you'll see a folder named  **lib** which contains a long list of code libraries you can use in your projects. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/989/medium800/educators_updatelib_lib_folder.jpg?1560376391) Libraries can be **installed** on the **Circuit Playground Express** by copying them to a folder named **lib** on the **CIRCUITPY** drive. # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Learn More ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/516/medium800/educators_CPX_computer_diagram.jpg?1559767497) Now that you know how to **update** and **upload code** to your board, you can move on to learning how to **write code** and more. For everything you could ever want to know about **Circuit Playground Express** , be sure to check out the [comprehensive guide here](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express). ## Write code for Circuit Playground Express Circuit Playground Express can be **programmed** using a variety of  **different methods** , including: - [CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython) - [MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode) - [Arduino IDE](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express/arduino) - [Codecademy](https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-circuitpython/modules/circuit-playground-express-part-1) ## So Many Projects ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/076/514/medium800/educators_learnmore_projects.jpg?1559762473) **Adafruit Learning System** has a **ton** of great projects built using **Circuit Playground Express**! Check out the [full list to start exploring](https://learn.adafruit.com/category/express). # Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide ## Troubleshooting ## Circuit Playground powers up, but CIRCUITPY drive doesn't show on computer Make sure you're using a **data-capable USB cable**. A surprising number of USB cables are designed to only handle **power** and **not data**. ## Where can I download the demo code that came with my board? To return your Circuit Playground Express to its original state: - **Download** this [uf2 file](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/051/187/original/FIRMATA_2018-2-19.UF2?1519102528) - Put your board into **boot mode** by **double-clicking** the **RESET** button - **Copy** the **uf2** file onto the **CPLAYBOOT** drive ## CPLAYBOOT drive not showing up on your computer If you’ve **already installed CircuitPython** , boot mode can be accessed by **double-clicking** the **reset** button. If **CircuitPython** has **not been installed** and pressing the reset button once **does not** cause **CPLAYBOOT** to **appear** , try using a different USB cable or USB port on your computer. ## I have a Windows 7 or 8 computer and the board does not show up when plugged in via a known good data cable over USB For Windows 7 and 8, you need a Windows Driver for the operating system to see the Circuit Playground Express. See the Install Drivers (Windows) page on how to do that. **NOTE:** Windows 10 does not need these drivers (it's built into Windows 10) so do not install the driver package as it most likely will interfere with the built-in drivers and make the board not show up. ## I accidentally installed the driver on my Windows 10 machine, now it does not recognize the board You will need to uninstall the driver package to have Windows 10 use the built-in drivers. ## I have Windows XP, can I use it with a Circuit Playground Express? No, Windows XP reached end of life long ago. Please use a newer version of Windows. Adafruit suggests Windows 10, if possible, but Windows 7 and 8 work with an installed driver. Windows 10 has that driver built-in so no additional software is required. ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### Getting Started with Adafruit Circuit Playground Express [Getting Started with Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3944) **Make: Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express**  is written by our friend, [Anne Barela](https://twitter.com/anne_engineer), author of [G.S.W. Adafruit Trinket](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1838). Anne is an engineer and Maker with the... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3944) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3944/guides) ### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit [Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!**  It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides) ### Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) We've got nice cases for many of our beloved boards, but the [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) and [Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333) has been left out of couture enclosure... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3915/guides) ### Circuit Playground Express for 4-H [Circuit Playground Express for 4-H](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4180) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4180) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4180/guides) ### Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack [Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2769) **Circuit Playground Express**  is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to program.... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2769) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2769/guides) ### Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express Book Bundle [Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express Book Bundle](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3977) The bestselling book **Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express** now comes with a full pack of parts so you can hit the ground running! **Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express**  is written by our friend,  No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3977) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3977/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Infrared Transmit and Receive on Circuit Playground Express in C++](https://learn.adafruit.com/infrared-transmit-and-receive-on-circuit-playground-express-in-c-plus-plus-2.md) - [Mount for CRICKIT](https://learn.adafruit.com/mount-for-crickit.md) - [Sparky the Blue Smoke Monster Automaton](https://learn.adafruit.com/sparky-automaton.md) - [Tilt Controlled Marble Maze](https://learn.adafruit.com/tilt-controlled-marble-maze.md) - [Epoxy Resin Torch Lamp with Touch Control & 3D Printed Base](https://learn.adafruit.com/epoxy-resin-torch-lamp-with-touch-control-3d-printed-base.md) - [Improve Brushed DC Motor Performance](https://learn.adafruit.com/improve-brushed-dc-motor-performance.md) - [What is Web MIDI & BLE MIDI?](https://learn.adafruit.com/web-ble-midi.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Spinner Game in MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-makecode-spinner-game.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: PCA9685 DC Motor & Stepper Driver](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-pca9685-dc-motor-and-stepper-driver.md) - [Transistors 101](https://learn.adafruit.com/transistors-101.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Treasure Hunt](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-treasure-hunt.md) - [MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode.md) - [MicroBlocks Circuit Playground Express Ornament](https://learn.adafruit.com/microblocks-circuitplayground-express-ornament.md) - [Glowing Smokey Skull ](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-smokey-skull.md) - [Sipping Power With NeoPixels](https://learn.adafruit.com/sipping-power-with-neopixels.md)