The Adafruit Proto Under Plate PiCowBell functions as a compact, solder-less proto plate for easy programming and sensor integration with the Raspberry Pi Pico. It includes a reset button and a STEMMA QT / Qwiic connector for quick I2C communication. When paired with a Pico H or Pico WH, there is no need for soldering - simply plug-and-play.

The Adafruit Proto Under Plate PiCowBell for Pico comes equipped with pre-soldered double sockets that allow users to directly plug in their Pico board and gain access to a prototyping area beneath, as well as a second row of socket pins. This feature allows for easy connection of wires to headers, LEDs, buttons, or breadboards without the need to look up or count pins. Additionally, each socket is clearly labeled and the product includes four mounting holes for effortless attachment to an underplate.

Utilizing 'hollow' dual socket headers, you have the option to connect from the back as needed. For compatibility with other devices that require Pico pins, Pico Stacking Headers can be utilized. It is also possible to connect a Pico from the bottom by soldering pin headers to the 'wrong side'.

We recommend picking up a set of to protect your desk if you're not mounting this board to something else.

The Proto Under Plate PiCowBell provides you with the following:

• 2x20 slim socket headers - plug in your Pico and have an extra row of sockets for each pin! 
• Right angle reset button that sticks out the end
• Right angle JST SH connector for I2C / Stemma QT / Qwiic connection. Or can use it for plain GPIO wiring if you don't have any I2C devices to attach. Provides 3V, GND, IO4 (SDA), and IO5 (SCL)
  There is an extra set of 4 breakout holes next to the JST SH if you want more I2C connections or want to re-assign the I2C port.
• 3 hole-connected strips are in the center area. You can cut the traces between the holes, but they're intended to be treated like a mini-mini breadboard
• Every pad on the Pico has a duplicate hole pad next to it for solder-jumpering
• The ground pads have white silkscreen rectangles to easily identify, plus one long ground strip near the reset button
• One long strip of connected holes for 3.3V power
• Gold-plated pads for easy soldering

We do not have I2C pullups on the board, but your Qwiic/QT breakout board or accessory likely already has them onboard. If using the Philhower Arduino core, the Wire peripheral is already set up to use IO4 and IO5. If using CircuitPython or MicroPython, you'll need to let the code know to look at 4 5 for SDA SCL pins.