Quickstart
Get your first device online and controllable from the dashboard in under 10 minutes.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Head to dashboard.arest.io and sign up for a free account. You'll get access to:
- Up to 3 devices on the free plan
- Real-time device monitoring
- Custom dashboards with widgets
- 7 days of event history
Step 2: Register Your Device
Once logged in, add your first device:
- Click Devices in the sidebar
- Click the Add Device button
- Enter a name for your device (e.g., "Living Room Sensor")
- Select your hardware type (ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi)
- Click Register
Important: Copy your Device ID and API Key - you'll need these for the next step. The API key is only shown once!
Step 3: Set Up Your Hardware
Flash your device with the aREST firmware:
Install the Library
In Arduino IDE: Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries → Search "aREST" → Install
Open the Example Sketch
Go to File → Examples → aREST → ESP32_cloud (or ESP8266_cloud for ESP8266)
Enter Your Credentials
Update the sketch with your WiFi credentials, Device ID, and API Key from step 2
Upload
Connect your device via USB and click Upload. Open Serial Monitor to see the connection status.
Step 4: Control from the Dashboard
Once your device connects, it will appear as "Online" in the dashboard. Click on it to:
Toggle Pins
Use the pin controls to turn LEDs on/off or trigger relays.
Read Sensors
View real-time values from analog sensors and variables.
Call Functions
Execute custom functions you've defined in your sketch.
View History
See past commands and sensor readings in the event log.
Troubleshooting
Device stays offline?
- Check your WiFi credentials in the sketch
- Verify the Device ID and API Key are correct
- Open Serial Monitor to see error messages
- Make sure your network allows MQTT (port 1883)
Can't find the library?
Make sure you also install the PubSubClient library for MQTT support.