The Wife put together one of the proto boards, but i thought/or assumed that the psoc4 would have a uart bootloader on it already, didn't seem like it, and yeah i didn't break out the programming ports since i was trying to keep it single sided and small.

So just have to lift the chip program it with the bootloader or find out why the bootloader that might be on there isn't working,

She wasn't so happy after i realised that !

Another point to add to check list, make sure micro has bootloader loaded.

I've also been thinking about running the PSOC at 3.3V and just boosting the signal to the LED strip to 5V, that'll cut down on the number of components on the board by a bit. Off the top of my head the PSOC4 should still clock at max at lower voltages, but i'll check before I do the change.

Also I might add an ADC for a mic or something. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible but i can see the usefulness of an ADC for this setup.

I'v got a stack of test clips that go over chips, but of course i never have the one i need and they're crazy expensive , I typically use them for ECU work so i can justify the costs there, and occasionally you'll find them on sale at places, i bought a bunch from a place in Vegas for $5 each, but none of them are right size, of course. You can clip on the little test leads or solder on , but with the CNC milled boards at this pitch it is really easily to lift a pad or track. I'd rather delay and use the right kit than mess up a board the wife put together.