Please Don't Code
Please Don't Code is an efficient and utility-rich tool developed to streamline the process of coding for embedded systems by offering an AI-powered code genera...
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What is Please Don't Code?
PleaseDontCode is an AI-powered firmware development platform that takes users from idea to working IoT device in minutes. The platform generates ready-to-use firmware for ESP32, ESP8266, and Arduino boards without requiring users to write code manually. Users select from 29+ supported boards, describe what their device should do in plain language chat, and the AI automatically draws a wiring schematic and generates compilable firmware that stays in sync with the schematic.
The platform includes Please Code Generator (PCGen) for AI-driven code creation, POTA (Programming Over The Air) for wireless firmware updates, and real-time device dashboards with customizable widgets like charts, buttons, and sliders. The service compiles firmware through arduino-cli, automatically fixes compilation errors, and flashes the .bin file directly to the board via USB or WiFi from the browser. Users can upload existing code to fix bugs, add features, or get it automatically commented.
PleaseDontCode is designed for startups validating prototypes, companies reducing R&D time without dedicated embedded teams, commercial hardware shops skipping firmware boilerplate, freelancers, and hobbyists with IoT ideas. The platform handles hardware compatibility, pin assignments, voltage limits, and library selection automatically, making embedded development accessible without years of programming experience.
Please Don't Code pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Free tier: 3 credits per month, 1 device forever, no credit card required. Includes code generation, USB flash, and POTA for wireless updates. Credits used for: generating wiring schematic (1 credit), generating/modifying code via chat (1 credit), and finalizing project to flash/compile (1 credit). BASIC plan: includes public project sharing in community. PRO and PREMIUM plans: keep projects completely private, more credits, more devices, simultaneous OTA updates across fleets, and advanced features. Browsing projects, manual code editing, version history, and community access are always free. No credit charged when flashing - only charged when project is ready to flash.
Please Don't Code pros
- No coding required to get started
- 29+ supported boards including ESP32 and Arduino
- AI generates wiring schematic synced with code
- Automatic compilation and error fixing
- Flash firmware via USB directly from browser
- POTA enables wireless OTA updates for fleets
- Real-time device dashboard with customizable widgets
- Free tier includes 1 device forever, no credit card
- Upload existing code for fixes and improvements
- Version history lets you revert to previous versions
- Hosted in Europe with 99.9% uptime
- Data not used to train AI models
- One-click deployment to one or hundred devices
- Top-down approach guidance for better AI results
- Community section to explore user projects
Please Don't Code cons
- Basic programming knowledge helps for complex projects
- Free plan limited to 3 credits per month
- Only 1 device included in free tier
- Board support limited to 29+ specific models
- Chrome or Edge desktop required for USB flash
- Custom components require email request to add
- Some libraries may not be available in official repository
- Character limit on requirement descriptions
Frequently asked questions about Please Don't Code
Do I need to know programming to use PleaseDontCode?
No. PCGen is designed to let you create firmware without writing code: describe in chat what you want your device to do and AI generates the code for you. You can also upload existing code as a starting point. For more complex projects requiring intricate algorithms, basic programming knowledge helps customize the result — but it's not a requirement to get started.
How do I generate and flash code to my board?
1. Select your board by clicking the icon in the editor (29+ supported including ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino). 2. Describe your project in the chat — for example: 'I want to read temperature and display it on an LCD screen'. 3. AI generates the complete code with compatible libraries and verified pin assignment. 4. Click Flash USB or POTA — the system compiles your project, automatically fixes any errors, and uploads it directly to your board from the browser. Keep chatting to add features or make changes — each change creates a version, so you can always go back.
What is POTA and how does it work?
POTA stands for Programming Over The Air: it lets you update firmware on your devices over WiFi, without plugging them into your computer. It supports ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino and many more boards. Enable POTA on your project in PCGen — the system automatically integrates WiFi connectivity and OTA logic into your code. After a one-time USB setup, all subsequent updates are delivered over WiFi. You can update a single device or an entire fleet with one click. From the POTA Dashboard you monitor all devices in real time: who's online, which firmware they're running, and if they need updates. You can also set up interactive widgets — charts, thermometers, buttons, sliders — to monitor and control your devices directly from the browser.
What is included in the free plan?
Yes. The free plan includes 3 credits per month and 1 device, forever, with no credit card required. You can generate code, compile, flash via USB, and use POTA for wireless updates. Paid plans unlock more credits, more devices, simultaneous OTA updates across fleets, and advanced features.
Which boards are supported?
We support 29+ boards including: Arduino Nano ESP32, ESP32 DevKit V1, XIAO ESP32S3, ESP32-S3-Box, Firebeetle 2 ESP32-S3, ESP32S3 Dev Module, ESP32 Wrover Module, ESP32-WROOM-DA, Adafruit QT Py ESP32-C3, DOIT ESP32 DEVKIT V1, AI Thinker ESP32-CAM, ESP32-H2-DevKitM-1, ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1, ESP8266 NodeMCU V1.0, M5Stack-CoreS3, Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, WEMOS LOLIN32 Lite, Arduino Uno, Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V, Arduino Pro Mini 5V, Arduino Nano, Arduino Mega, Arduino Nano 33 BLE, Arduino Opta Lite, Arduino Opta WiFi, Arduino Duemilanove, Arduino UNO Q, Arduino Nano 33 IoT, Arduino UNO R4 WiFi, and more coming. The list grows every month. If your board isn't supported yet, reach out at [email protected].
How is PleaseDontCode different from generic LLM chatbots?
Generic LLM chatbots produce text that looks like firmware but has no contact with your real hardware. They don't know if GPIO 6 on your ESP32 is usable (spoiler: it isn't), whether your LCD needs a pull-up, whether the library you paste actually compiles against the board's core, or if the pin they suggest clashes with the internal SPI. You have to catch every mistake yourself. PleaseDontCode is hardware-aware: it knows the pin map, voltage, I/O limits and core of each supported board; it generates a wiring schematic in sync with the code; it actually compiles the firmware through arduino-cli and iterates with AI until it builds clean; and it flashes the .bin to your board directly from the browser over USB. It's a development tool, not a chat.
How do I flash firmware to my board?
Everything from the browser, nothing to install: USB Flash — Connect the board via USB, click 'Flash', select the serial port in the browser popup. Requires Chrome or Edge (desktop). Firmware installs in seconds. Deploy via POTA — If you've already enabled POTA and done the first USB flash, all subsequent updates arrive over WiFi. One click to update one or a hundred devices.
Are my projects private?
It depends on the plan. The free plan and BASIC plan include public sharing of projects in the community section — so other users can learn from your code and you from theirs. If code privacy matters to you, the PRO and PREMIUM plans keep your projects completely private and accessible only to you. The service is hosted in Europe with 99.9% uptime. Your data is not used to train AI models. For plan details, visit the Pricing page.
How many credits does each action use?
Three actions use 1 credit each: 1. Generating a wiring schematic. 2. Generating or modifying code via AI chat. 3. Finalizing your project to flash — that is, compiling and (if needed) automatically fixing errors before uploading to your board. Browsing projects, editing code manually, exploring version history or visiting the community are always free.
Am I charged if compilation fails?
No credit is charged. When you click Flash, the system compiles and automatically tries to fix any issues, even across multiple passes. If something still doesn't work after the automatic attempts, you get a clear message and can refine your requirements in chat or reach out to us. You only pay when your project is ready to be flashed.