GlowGrid — Guide

Getting Started

New board? Follow these three steps. Already set up? Go to Sending a program.

Choose your board and install MicroPython

Select your board and display in the Program Collection. You’ll see which programs work with your hardware.

What does my board need?

Raspberry Pi Pico W
USB cable · Wi-Fi with GlowGrid OS
Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W
USB cable · Wi-Fi with GlowGrid OS
Raspberry Pi Pico
USB cable
Raspberry Pi Pico 2
USB cable
Waveshare RP2040-Matrix
USB cable

Pico Unicorn Pack or Pico Display Pack 2.0: use Pimoroni MicroPython for your exact Pico model.

Waveshare RP2040-Matrix: use standard MicroPython. Its 5×5 display is built in.

Open the board installer and choose the MicroPython firmware tab. Download the matching UF2 file, then:
1. Unplug the board. Hold BOOTSEL while connecting it with a USB data cable.
2. Release BOOTSEL when the board appears as a USB drive.
3. Copy the UF2 file onto that drive. The drive disappears when the board restarts.
Already have the right firmware? Go to step 2.
Choose how to connect

USB cable: works with every supported board. Skip to step 3; GlowGrid OS is not required.
Wi-Fi setup — Pico W and Pico 2 W

Before you start, check the Wi-Fi requirements.
1. In the board installer, choose the GlowGrid OS tab. Plug in your board, select Connect Board, then Install GlowGrid OS. Wait until the installer says the board has restarted.
2. Connect your computer to the GlowGrid-Setup Wi-Fi network.
3. Wait for the Wi-Fi setup page to open automatically. If needed, choose Sign in or Open Network Login in your computer’s Wi-Fi menu. If it still does not open, visit http://192.168.4.1.
4. Select your home network and enter its password. Save the board address shown when setup completes.
5. When setup finishes, close the window if needed and reconnect your computer to its usual network.
The board saves your Wi-Fi details for next time. They are not sent to the GlowGrid website.
Create your first project

Open a program and make it your own, or follow one of the challenge cards. Check Sending a program for more information on how to upload a program to your board.
Browse programs

Documentation

Choose a topic below.

Sending a program

Select Prepare Board in your program, then choose USB or Wi-Fi.

Send over USB

Connect your board with a USB data cable.
Choose USB cable, then Connect Board. Select your board in the list.
When connected, select Send over USB.
Keep the cable connected until GlowGrid says the program is running. You can then unplug it.

Send over Wi-Fi

Choose Wi-Fi and enter your board’s address, or select a recent address.
Select Send over Wi-Fi. Your board’s page opens in the current tab.
Keep the board powered while it checks and starts your program.
When the program is running, the page returns to GlowGrid.

Not connected yet? Follow Wi-Fi setup.

If sending fails, follow the on-screen instructions and try again. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, use USB.

Board buttons and brightness

These buttons are on Pico Unicorn Pack and Pico Display Pack 2.0. Waveshare RP2040-Matrix has no A/B/X/Y buttons.

Brightness starts at 50%. MicroPy Kids does not use these shortcuts; only its Button LED lesson uses A.

LED board diagram with A and B buttons on the left, and X and Y buttons on the right. — Pico Unicorn Pack shown. Display Pack 2.0 has a different button layout.

Make the display brighter.

Make the display dimmer.

X / Y

Check your program’s instructions for these buttons.

A + B

Hold both for 3 seconds to restart.

Release A or B before 3 seconds to cancel the restart. Restarting does not erase your program or settings.

Network and browser requirements

Wi-Fi uploads need GlowGrid OS 1.5 or newer. Update older boards over USB.
Connect the board to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Keep your device and board on the same network. Your device can use 5 GHz if both Wi-Fi bands share that network.
If that does not work, connect your device to the same 2.4 GHz network as the board. Avoid guest networks that block devices from reaching each other.
Wi-Fi uploads work in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and most mobile browsers. USB uploads and GlowGrid OS installation require a browser that supports Web Serial, such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
Use a trusted local network only. There is no login: any device that can reach the board can replace its program. Never make the board accessible from the public internet or an untrusted network.

Troubleshooting

How do I power the board?

Use a computer’s USB port, a USB power bank, or a 5 V USB charger. Choose a cable that fits your board.

How do I find my board’s address?

Open LAN IP Display and send it over USB. Once the board connects to Wi-Fi, its address scrolls across the display.

This replaces your current program. Note the address, then send your own program again.

Why does the board page not open?

Check the address and network requirements.
Open http://BOARD-IP/health, using your board’s address in place of BOARD-IP.
If it will not load, check the browser’s local network permission. On macOS, follow the answer below.
If it loads but sending reports Not found or asks for another confirmation, update GlowGrid OS over USB.

Why are USB buttons disabled in Firefox?

Firefox’s USB access may be turned off.

Open about:config in Firefox. Accept the warning if shown.
Find dom.webserial.enabled and set it to true.
Reload GlowGrid.

Open GlowGrid using HTTPS or localhost; a plain HTTP network address cannot use USB. If the setting is locked, ask your administrator or use another supported browser.

Why can’t my browser reach the board on macOS?

macOS may be blocking your browser’s local network access, even if terminal tools can reach the board.

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
Allow your browser.
Quit it with ⌘Q, reopen it, and try again.

If your browser is not listed, try opening the board page and allow local network access when prompted.

What happens when I send a program?

GlowGrid creates the program from your settings in your browser. Sending has three stages:

Prepare: create the program and check it is ready.
Send: save it on the board and check that it matches.
Start: restart the board and confirm the new program is running. Saving the file alone does not mean success.

USB shows progress in Prepare Board. Wi-Fi shows progress on the board’s page. Both check that the program running is the one you sent.

Sending a program replaces the previous program but keeps GlowGrid OS and Wi-Fi settings. Reinstalling GlowGrid OS over USB clears the board’s files; choose the installer’s option to keep Wi-Fi settings if needed.

Set up your board and start creating.

Getting Started

Choose your board and install MicroPython

Choose how to connect

Create your first project

Documentation

Send over USB

Send over Wi-Fi

Video Tutorials

Install GlowGrid OS

Board Designer Example 01

Board Designer Example 02

Let’s talk