Getting Familiar
The code was created using Microsoft MakeCode for Adafruit, a web-based code editor. MakeCode provides a block editor, similar to Scratch or Code.org, and also a JavaScript editor for more advanced users.
If you'd like to learn more about MakeCode, this guide is a good place to start.
Bootloader Mode
Your Circuit Playground Express board comes ready to work with CircuitPython. When you connect the board to your computer for the first time, it will appear as a flash (or thumb) drive named CIRCUITPY.
BUT
We'd like to make it work with MakeCode, which is done by putting it into "bootloader mode".
All that's required to do this is to connect the board to your computer with a micro USB cable and click the small reset button in the center of the board. The available thumb drive should eject itself and show up again as CPLAYBOOT. Your code file will be placed on CPLAYBOOT.
Click this link or the button below to enter the portal to interact with the code for this project (you may need to zoom out to see all the blocks).
How to Upload Code
To upload code, connect you Circuit Playground Express to your computer using the micro USB cable, click the Download button to download the .uf2 file to your computer, and drag 'n drop that .UF2 file onto the CPLAYBOOT drive in your computer's file explorer or finder.
The drive will automatically eject itself. (Your computer may give you a "failed to eject drive correctly" error, you can ignore this.) The code is now on your Circuit Playground Express and ready to run!
If you'd like to play with this code, click "Edit" and a new window will open in which you can create your own version.
Troubleshooting
Problem: My Circuit Playground Express doesn't show up as CPLAYBOOT!
Solution: Your Circuit Playground Express board comes ready to work with CircuitPython, and will show up as a flash drive named CIRCUITPY the first time it's connected to your computer. To switch over to work with MakeCode, connect the board to your computer with a micro USB cable and click the small reset button in the center of the board.
When Circuit Playground Express is in Bootloader mode, all the LEDs will flash red briefly, then turn green. Your computer should now show removable drive called CPLAYBOOT. Now you can copy the MakeCode file to the CPLAYBOOT flash drive.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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