Monotonic: A Practical Guide for Makers

Makers today juggle multiple projects, tight deadlines, and complex hardware-software integrations. Enter Monotonic: a lightweight, open-source tool designed to simplify time-sensitive workflows, version tracking, and real-time project synchronization for DIY creators, IoT builders, and hardware hackers.

What Is Monotonic?

Monotonic is a cross-platform utility built for makers who need reliable, non-decreasing (monotonic) time tracking and project state management. Unlike system clocks that can drift or adjust for daylight saving time, Monotonic uses hardware-backed monotonic timers to ensure consistent timing across long-running builds, sensor logging, and automated test suites. It also includes built-in version control integration, bill-of-materials (BOM) tracking, and one-click deployment for common maker platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32.

Getting Started: Installation

Monotonic supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and even runs headless on Raspberry Pi OS. Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Download the latest release from the official Monotonic GitHub repository.
2. Run the installer for your OS, or use the terminal command curl -fsSL monotonic.io/install.sh | sh for Linux/macOS.
3. Launch Monotonic and link your GitHub/GitLab account to enable automatic version tracking for your projects.
4. Connect your first hardware device via USB or Wi-Fi using the built-in device manager.

Core Features for Makers

1. Monotonic Time Logging

Traditional system clocks can cause issues when logging sensor data or timing hardware events, especially if the system clock updates during a run. Monotonic uses your device’s hardware timer to log events with nanosecond precision, ensuring your data is always consistent. Export logs to CSV, JSON, or integrate directly with Grafana for real-time visualization.

2. BOM and Inventory Management

Never lose track of a resistor or sensor again. Monotonic lets you create BOMs for each project, scan component QR codes to add them to your inventory, and get alerts when you’re running low on critical parts. It syncs with common supplier APIs (DigiKey, Adafruit, SparkFun) to auto-update pricing and lead times.

3. One-Click Deployment

Push code to your Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi with a single click. Monotonic automatically detects your device type, compiles code for the correct architecture, and verifies the flash process. It also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates for Wi-Fi-enabled devices, so you don’t have to plug in your hardware every time you make a change.

Real-World Use Case: IoT Weather Station

Let’s walk through a simple project to see Monotonic in action: building a battery-powered IoT weather station with an ESP32 and BME280 sensor.

1. Create a new project in Monotonic, name it “Weather Station”, and add the ESP32 and BME280 to your BOM.
2. Write your sensor reading code in the built-in editor, using Monotonic’s time library to log readings every 10 minutes with monotonic timestamps.
3. Connect your ESP32 via USB, click “Deploy”, and verify the code flashes successfully.
4. Disconnect the ESP32, power it with a battery, and watch Monotonic sync logged data to your dashboard via Wi-Fi as soon as the device connects to a network.

Tips for Advanced Users

• Use Monotonic’s CLI tool to automate build pipelines in your existing CI/CD workflows.
• Set up custom alerts to notify you via Slack or email when a device goes offline or a sensor reading exceeds a threshold.
• Contribute to the open-source project on GitHub to add support for new hardware platforms or features.

Conclusion

Monotonic cuts down on the tedious administrative work of making, letting you focus on what matters: building cool stuff. Whether you’re a hobbyist working on weekend projects or a professional maker shipping production hardware, Monotonic’s practical feature set will streamline your workflow. Get started today at monotonic.io.