TinkerieUp and running in five minutes
Download, open, pick an app. Here's exactly what to do on your computer, and a good first thing to try in each app.
Install on your computer
Download Tinkerie.exe
From the download list. If your network blocks .exe files, take the Windows zip and unzip it.
Double-click it
Windows may say it's an unrecognised app, because it isn't signed with a paid certificate. Click More info, then Run anyway.
Pick an app
The launcher opens. Click an app, or press its number key (1–7).
Optional: pin it
Right-click Tinkerie.exe and choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
Download the right zip
Apple silicon (M1 or newer) or Intel. Check under › About This Mac if you're not sure.
Move it to Applications
Unzip it and drag Tinkerie.app into your Applications folder.
Allow it once
The first time, macOS blocks it. Open it once, then go to System Settings › Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
Pick an app
The launcher opens in Chrome, Edge or Brave if you have one, otherwise in your normal browser.
Download and unpack
Get the Linux .tar.gz and unpack it.
Start it
cd Tinkerie-*-linux-x86_64 ./tinkerie
Add it to your menu
./install.sh
Remove it again with./install.sh --remove.For USB devices
For serial boards, join the dialout group:
sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER
For USB scopes and logic analysers, run./install-usb.shonce. Then log out and back in.
Pick 64-bit or 32-bit
Most Raspberry Pi OS installs are 64-bit now. Type
uname -min a terminal:aarch64means 64-bit.Download and unpack
tar xzf Tinkerie-*-pi-64bit.tar.gz cd Tinkerie-*-pi-64bit
Start it and add it to the menu
./tinkerie ./install.sh
For USB devices
sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER ./install-usb.sh
Then log out and back in.
Teaching mode
Every app starts with teaching mode switched on. Rest the mouse on any button, setting or panel and a card appears explaining what it does and when you'd use it.
Once you know your way around, press F2 to turn the cards off. Press it again any time to bring them back. Each app remembers your choice.
Scopie keeps its explanations in a help bar under the scope screen, and has a beginner's guide on F1.
One easy win in each app
None of these needs any hardware.
On the welcome screen, click Example project: a Pico weather station with a screen, sensor, button and LED.
Click Show me an example on the welcome screen. Makie builds a hand-cranked 9:1 gearbox.
Choose it from 40 presets (Creality, Prusa, Bambu Lab, Voron…) and pick your filament.
Use a USB cable that carries data. Flashie lists it and guesses what it is.
No scope needed: pick a practice signal like the probe calibration square.
Plug in its USB cable, switch the meter's PC link on, then open Meters and press Scan.
Pick DEMO in the port list and press Connect. No hardware needed.
Tips
Start an app directly
Make a desktop shortcut to Tinkerie.exe --app makie, or rename a copy of Tinkerie.exe to Makie.exe. On Linux and Mac, a link called makie does the same.
Run several at once
Each app opens in its own window and keeps running after you close the launcher, so you can have Flashie and Tracie open side by side.
Your work is saved
Wirie and Makie save as you go and pick up where you left off next time.