1.2 Comprehensive Piper Make Walkthrough

1. Building Your First Project

With your Pico W properly configured, we can now explore programming fundamentals. Let’s begin by illuminating the built-in LED.

Navigate to CREATIVE MODE and select the New Project option. A fresh project will be generated in the MY PROJECTS area with an automatically assigned name that you can modify later within the development environment.

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Launch the newly created project by clicking on it.

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You’ll now enter the Piper Make development interface.

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START: Executes your program. When grayed out, it indicates no active Pico W connection.
Block palette: Houses various programming block categories.
CONNECT: Establishes Pico W communication. Displays green when disconnected, changes to red DISCONNECT when linked.
Programming Area: The workspace where you assemble your program by combining blocks.
Tools Area: Access DIGITAL VIEW for pin layout reference; monitor output via CONSOLE; examine sensor readings in DATA; review generated Python code.
Project name and description: Customize your project’s title and details.
DOWNLOAD: Export your project locally in | format for future import using the Import Project feature on the homepage.

From the Chip palette, select and drag the [start] block into the Programming Area.

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Next, retrieve the [loop] block from the loops palette and attach it beneath the [start] block, configuring the cycle duration to 1 second.

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Since the Raspberry Pi Pico’s integrated LED connects to pin25, we’ll employ the [turn pin () ON/OFF] block from the Chip palette for control.

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2. Establishing Pico W Connection

Select the CONNECT button to establish communication with your Pico W. This action will trigger a connection dialog.

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Choose the detected CircuitPython CDC control (COMXX) port from the list, then proceed by clicking Connect.

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Upon successful connection, the green CONNECT indicator in the lower-left will transform into a red DISCONNECT button.

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3. Executing Your Program

Press the START button to execute your code, which will illuminate the Pico W’s LED. If the button appears grayed out, verify your Pico W connection and re-establish if necessary.

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To create a blinking effect, add a block to deactivate pin25 within the loop cycle, then click START again to observe the LED flashing pattern.