# Setup Arduino IDE

### Prerequisite <a href="#setuparduinoide-prerequisite" id="setuparduinoide-prerequisite"></a>

[Buy LinkIt 7697](https://www.seeedstudio.com/)

* LinkIt 7697 development board. You can purchase it [here](https://www.seeedstudio.com/).
* A micro-USB cable.
* Operating Systems:
  * Windows 7, 8 or 10.
  * OS X 10.10 or later.

### Install Arduino IDE <a href="#setuparduinoide-installarduinoide" id="setuparduinoide-installarduinoide"></a>

[Download Arduino IDE](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/OldSoftwareReleases#previous)

This guide is based on **Arduino IDE** 1.8.1. You can download it [here](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software).&#x20;

If you have problems installing the IDE, refer to the links below:

* [Windows](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Windows) installation guide
* [Mac OS X](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/MacOSX) installation guide
* [Linux](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Linux) installation guide

### Add LinkIt 7697 Board Support Package <a href="#setuparduinoide-addlinkit7697boardsupportpackage" id="setuparduinoide-addlinkit7697boardsupportpackage"></a>

If you are already familiar with Arduino IDE, the board support package URL for LinkIt 7697 is as follows:

```
https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2FfDIyZSO3WxvVYeZFhkSQ%2Fpackage_mtk_linkit_7697_index.json?alt=media&token=029ccbdc-f32d-4e1c-b753-898ea26d720e
```

Continue reading if you want to know how to install the board support package.

LinkIt 7697 is a 3rd party board and you'll need to install extra 3rd party board support package to the Arduino IDE. The steps are as follows:

1. Open **File > Preferences** dialog, as shown below:

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2F8peOKaLyFYDg40kGMGJX%2Ffile_preferences_menu.png?alt=media\&token=ab265130-51da-4ea1-9efa-5f6c2886bd98)

2.Add the following URL to the Additional Boards Manager URLs field:

```
https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2FfDIyZSO3WxvVYeZFhkSQ%2Fpackage_mtk_linkit_7697_index.json?alt=media&token=029ccbdc-f32d-4e1c-b753-898ea26d720e
```

as marked in the screenshot below:

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2FZbRFafqiiDrzDrvLEW9L%2F7697jsonE.png?alt=media\&token=e496b8d9-9bc2-4ac5-b1f9-4e56285809de)

3.Click **OK** to end the dialog.

4.Select **Tools > Board > Boards Manager...** to open the Boards Manager dialog:\
&#x20;

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2F707Tbnxi9nZaeKsgNPzG%2Ftools_board_menu.png?alt=media\&token=3ab68def-89d9-4a84-ad13-058f36a3716d)

5.Wait for the board manager to download the package information from the URL you just provided. After completion, you'll find a **LinkIt 7697 by MediaTek Labs** board package in the list. You can also type `LinkIt` in the search box, as shown below:\
\
&#x20;

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2F5wES4B7U71KXI2Undj7E%2Fsearch_for_linkit.png?alt=media\&token=f1202c95-9b2f-4400-b7ba-005a4ecf34aa)

6.Click on the **LinkIt 7697** item, and then click the **Install** button, as shown below:\
&#x20;

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2F1KKoHs4hbgX0rv5Pe1uD%2Finstall_board_package.png?alt=media\&token=9c678b4d-6394-4bf5-b783-0c0a1ff47c7e)

7.The IDE should start downloading the required tools and software packages. Wait for its completion, and click **Close** to end the dialog.

8.Once the package is installed, you should see a **LinkIt 7697** item appear in the bottom of the **Tools > Board** menu, as shown below:\
&#x20;

![](https://3972650740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FY4gduUSLWOCI23CXUWej%2Fuploads%2FFOlV0yXBLD1f9v5r5VAY%2Fboard_menu.png?alt=media\&token=05bca4d8-f20a-455e-9a13-c5e348485a9e)

Now that you've installed the board support package, you are ready to connect LinkIt 7697 board to your computer.