The next step is hooking up some WS2812B LEDs (neo-pixels).

Normally that's a matter of getting one of these prefab strips, plugging it in and doing a quick copy & paste job from some example code

However, my final circuit is a custom PCB, so I need to figure out how to hook things up without using a prefab strip.

First step is to grab some WS2812B chips, solder on some leads, and then put a nice blob of hot glue over the solder joints so that the wires don't rip out halfway through setting up the circuit board.

Second step is to take a second look at the data sheet and notice that the corner with the little triangle mark is pin 3 (not pin 1). Fortunately, these chips don't seem to be particularly fragile.

Wiring these up looks a little like this

I'm unclear as to the details of exactly why capacitors get placed in specific locations on circuit boards, so I'm trying to duplicate behavior from known working boards rather than trying to come up with the best wiring setup.

And after re-checking my wiring I have some color changing LEDs. Hooray!