Getting started

There's no single way into BeeHive. Pick the path that matches what you're here to do.

🍯 I want to build something

Head to the Recipes — complete, documented builds you can reproduce. Each lists the ingredients it uses, the wiring, and the code. Good first recipes:

• LI-850 multiplexer — parallelise gas analysis across six chambers.
• Head-fixed reward delivery — add reward
• lick detection to a behavioural rig.

Then you'll need to solder your boards and flash MicroPython onto the mainboard.

🎓 I'm new to electronics or coding

Start with the Intro to Electronics course — a project-based introduction to microcontrollers, circuits, and MicroPython, built around BeeHive's Training board. It lets you learn coding and electronics one at a time before wiring up a real experiment.

🧩 I want to design a new board

Read What is BeeHive? and the Design rules, then follow Build your own board. New daughter boards that follow the rules drop straight into the ecosystem.

What you'll need

For most recipes:

• A BeeHive mainboard and the daughter boards the recipe lists.
• A 12 V DC supply (mains adapter or battery).
• Basic soldering kit — see Soldering.
• A computer with Thonny to flash and program the ESP32.

Get in touch

BeeHive is an open community — we'd love to hear from you, whether you're building, teaching, or contributing.

• 🐛 Questions & ideas: the issues page
• ✉️ Email: a.maia-chagas@sussex.ac.uk