CircuiteraBuild a small circuit first
Open the IDE and choose Simulate. Start with a supported board, an LED, and a current-limiting resistor. Place the parts and connect their actual terminals. Match the sketch’s digital pin to your wiring, connect the return path to ground, and check LED polarity. Component appearance does not replace the electrical connections.
Inspect behavior as the sketch runs
Run a compatible sketch and observe the modeled circuit. Standard LEDs respond to their electrical inputs; RGB LEDs mix their channels rather than displaying an unrelated animation. Use component properties and available inspection tools to explore supported behaviors. Check the Parts browser’s simulation support information before relying on a particular device.
Use simulation to ask better questions
Changing a delay, a pin assignment, or a component connection can help explain why an output differs from your expectation. When available, attach circuit context to Dot and review its diagnosis or proposed changes before applying them. Keep a known-working version of the sketch and circuit so experiments are easy to compare.
Know the limits of a model
Simulation support varies by component and peripheral. Mega 2560 compilation and upload do not imply Mega simulation support; that MCU is not currently simulated. Circuitera does not promise full analog accuracy or support for every Arduino library and external device. Confirm resistor values, voltage compatibility, power requirements, and current limits before building a physical circuit. Never treat an attractive simulated result as a safety certification.