Learnings

• Don't bother with Arduino IDE just use PlatformIO

• Always double check the voltages before plugging things in, is my board compatible with the supply voltage?

• Get proper airflow to extract flumes and not harm yourself

• Get a proper soldering iron, don't cheap out, it will safe you money, nerves and time

• Always debug starting from the most minimalistic approach (bare Arduino, check voltages on IO pins)

• Get a multimeter

• Always use the same colored wire for either TX or RX

• Always wait atleast 1 week before ordering things from china, during that week you several other things will come to your mind so you can bundle up and buy everything from one single vendor

• Document your learnings, you will forget things quickly