This guide will walk through how to setup Microcontroller automation.
Microcontroller automation is our old method which involves using only a micontroller. There is no feedback and no computer to control it. A computer is only used to program the micrcontroller.
As of 2025, microcontroller (MC) automation is officially deprecated. It has not been updated or maintained for years as we have moved on to Computer Control (CC) automation.
Furthermore, recent improvements to the setup for CC automation have made MC automation completely obsolete.
Therefore this guide is only provided as supplemental information for our past setup.
The microcontroller (MC) automation setup consists of 2 main components:
- A Nintendo Switch.
- A microcontroller to control the Switch.
The microcontroller alone controls the Switch. And it does it by sending blind button presses at preprogrammed times. A computer is needed to program the microcontroller.
While a computer is not used during the automation, it is needed to program the microcontroller.
We support Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, Windows is preferred since we have a UI for it. If you choose Mac or Linux, you will need to use the command line.
Obviously, automating a Nintendo Switch is going to require a Nintendo Switch.
You can use either a regular Switch or a Switch Lite. Unlike CC automation, video output is not required since the microcontroller can't see it anyway. So you can use a Switch Lite. (though it's worth noting that CC can still automate a Switch Lite if the program does not require video feedback)
There are many options here.
| Arduino Leonardo | Pro Micro | Arduino Uno R3 (Legacy) | Teensy(++) 2.0 (discontinued) |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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  |
| Easy to setup. Easy migration path to Computer Control automation. | Cheapest in volume. Harder to setup. | Risky choice - not all models work. | Easiest to setup, but discontinued by manufacturer. Difficult migration path to Computer Control automation. |
| Difficult to change programs. | Difficult to change programs. | Difficult to change programs. | Easy to change programs. |
| Recommended for beginners. | Recommended for experienced users only. | Not recommended at all due to various issues. Choose this only if you already have an Uno R3 sitting around. | By far the best microcontroller for MC automation for both beginners and experts. But not recommended due to being discontinued by the manufacturer. |
Each of these will require their associated USB cables to connecting to the computer to program and to the Switch to run.
Each controller has its own setup:
If you are not using Windows, we have a Mac guide.
We do no have a Linux guide. But if you're using Linux, you can probably figure out what to do from this Mac guide.
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