# Getting started

Using LibreTuya is simple, just like every other PlatformIO development platform.

1. [Install PlatformIO](https://platformio.org/platformio-ide)
2. `platformio platform install -f https://github.com/kuba2k2/libretuya`

## Board selection

- Go to [Boards & CPU list](../status/supported.md).
- Find the board your device has (usually, the model number is written on the silkscreen).
	- If your board isn't available yet, use one of the "Generic" boards that matches the CPU you have.
- Click on the board name. From the documentation page, note the board code.
- Use this code to create a PlatformIO project.

## Run community projects

LibreTuya was developed with popular community projects in mind. Currently, unofficial [ESPHome port](../projects/esphome.md) is available ([the PR](https://github.com/esphome/esphome/pull/3509) will hopefully be merged into upstream at some point).

## Develop your own project

If you're developing your own embedded software, and want it to run on LibreTuya-supported chips, create a project.

- use PlatformIO IDE (PIO Home -> Open -> New Project)
- run `pio project init` in your desired project directory

Next, read one of the [flashing guides](../flashing/SUMMARY.md) to run your project!

### LT configuration

LibreTuya has a few configuration options that change its behavior or features. Refer to [LT configuration](../reference/config.md) for details.

### GPIO usage

!!! important
	This can be confusing at first, so make sure to read this part carefully to understand it.

	Input/output pin numbers in Arduino code (i.e. `digitalWrite()`) use Arduino pin numbers - for example `D1`, `D3`. This is the same as simply `1` or `3`, but it cannot be confused with CPU GPIO numbers.

	On the board pinout page, the purple blocks represent Arduino pins, while the dark red blocks refer to GPIO numbers.

### Examples

{%
	include-markdown "../../examples/SUMMARY.md"
   start="# Examples\n"
%}