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Quick start guide

To get started with Arduino on Inkplate 13SPECTRA, a few simple steps need to be completed to install the required software.

1. Install Arduino IDE​

If you haven’t installed it yet, download and install the Arduino IDE from the official website.

⚠️
Arduino IDE 2.0 or newer is required for Inkplate 13SPECTRA.

Install Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE 2.0

2. Install Inkplate boards definition​

Copy the following URL:

https://github.com/SolderedElectronics/Inkplate-Board-Definitions-for-Arduino-IDE/blob/main/package_Inkplate_Boards_index.json

And add it to the Additional boards manager URLs in Arduino settings:

Add Inkplate to Arduino boards Manager
Adding the Inkplate boards link to Arduino IDE

Now, you can open the Boards Manager, search for Inkplate Boards, and install the Inkplate Boards board definitions.
Click Install here:

Install Inkplate boards
Adding Inkplate boards to Arduino IDE

3. Install Inkplate library​

In the Arduino Library Manager, search for the Inkplate library and click Install:

Install Inkplate library
Installing Inkplate library
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It's also possible to install the library manually by downloading it from the GitHub repository.

4. Install CH340 driver​

ℹ️
Mac and Linux users can skip this step because the CH340 driver is already installed.

The CH340 is an onboard chip that enables serial communication over USB. If the driver is not installed, download it from this link. Start the installation and follow the instructions:

Install CH340 Driver
Installing the CH340 Driver on Windows

Done!​

Inkplate 13SPECTRA setup is complete. Now, try out some examples from the Arduino library—upload them and see the results for yourself! If you need some help with uploading code, check out the section below.

Uploading code​

To upload your own sketch or an Arduino example to Inkplate 13SPECTRA, follow this brief guide.

1. Connect Inkplate via USB and power it on​

Use the provided USB-C cable to connect Inkplate 13SPECTRA to your computer. Ensure that the board is powered on by pressing the POWER ON button. The blue power LED will light up when properly connected.

2. Create a sketch​

Let's create the most basic Inkplate code which writes Hello World! to the e-Paper display. Go to File->New Sketch and paste this code in:


#include <Inkplate.h>   // Include the Inkplate library
Inkplate display;   // Create an Inkplate object for Inkplate 13SPECTRA

void setup(){
    display.begin(); // Initialize the display hardware
    display.clearDisplay(); // Clear the frame buffer (does NOT clear the physical screen)
    display.setCursor(10,10) // Set the text position to (10,10) pixels
    display.setTextSize(6); // Set text size to 6 (default is 1)
    display.print("Hello World!"); // Print "Hello World!" at the set position
    display.display(); // Refresh the e-paper display to show changes
}

void loop(){
    // No code needed here for this example
}

3. Upload the code​

Before uploading the code, select the correct board definition. For Inkplate 13, select Soldered Inkplate 13SPECTRA.

Selected board definition for Inkplate 13SPECTRA
Select Soldered Inkplate 13SPECTRA

Click Upload in the Arduino IDE.

Arduino IDE Upload Button
Arduino IDE Upload Button

Once the process completes, Inkplate will restart automatically and run the newly uploaded code. Arduino's upload log should read:

Leaving...
Hard resetting via RTS pin...

That's how you know you did everything correctly!

Troubleshooting​

Having problems with uploading your first code? Check out our [LINK PLACEHOLDER - troubleshooting page]