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+# Hardware Bring-Up Checklist
+
+## ESP32 Cargo Controller
+
+### Compile
+
+* Firmware compiles successfully
+* Required libraries installed:
+
+  * ArduinoJson
+  * OneWire
+  * DallasTemperature
+
+### Upload
+
+* Board: ESP32 Dev Module
+* Serial monitor opens at 115200 baud
+* Boot message appears
+
+### WiFi AP
+
+Verify ESP32 creates AP:
+
+* SSID: XterraController
+
+### HTTP API
+
+Test:
+
+```
+http://192.168.4.1/status
+```
+
+Expected:
+
+* JSON response
+* Battery placeholder values present
+* Relay states present
+* Sensor health present
+* Network status present
+
+### Relays
+
+Test endpoints:
+
+```
+/relay/starlink/on
+/relay/starlink/off
+/relay/fridge/on
+/relay/fridge/off
+```
+
+Verify:
+
+* GPIO16 controls Starlink relay channel
+* GPIO17 controls Fridge relay channel
+* Relay logic is correct
+* If relay behavior is backwards, update relay active-high/active-low logic
+
+### DS18B20 Sensors
+
+Verify:
+
+* Sensor bus initializes
+* Missing sensors do not crash firmware
+* Connected sensors report temperatures
+* Sensor fault state works
+
+### UART
+
+Verify:
+
+* UART initializes
+* ESP32 does not crash without Pico connected
+* Serial JSON protocol works once Pico or USB-UART test is connected
+
+---
+
+## Pico Dashboard
+
+### Pico Boot
+
+Verify:
+
+* Pico 2 W boots
+* MicroPython or CircuitPython environment works
+* Main script runs
+
+### Display
+
+Verify:
+
+* ST7796S initializes
+* Screen fill works
+* Text drawing works
+* Rotation/orientation is correct
+
+### Touch
+
+Verify:
+
+* FT6336U initializes
+* Touch events are detected
+* X/Y coordinates match screen orientation
+* Bottom navigation zones match expected touch positions
+
+### Buzzer
+
+Verify:
+
+* Active buzzer turns on
+* Active buzzer turns off
+* Buzzer does not block UI loop
+
+### UART to ESP32
+
+Verify:
+
+* Pico sends status request
+* ESP32 responds with status response
+* Pico parses response
+* Pico updates app state
+* Pico sends relay command
+* ESP32 toggles relay
+* Pico receives relay response
+
+---
+
+## System Integration
+
+### Dashboard
+
+Verify:
+
+* Battery placeholder data displays
+* Temperatures display
+* Relay states display
+* Communication state displays
+
+### Alarms
+
+Verify:
+
+* Communication loss alarm triggers
+* Sensor fault alarm triggers
+* Fridge high-temp alarm triggers
+* Low battery alarm triggers
+* Critical alarms trigger buzzer
+
+---
+
+## Do Not Proceed Until
+
+Before moving to production wiring:
+
+* ESP32 firmware boots reliably
+* Relays behave correctly
+* UART protocol works
+* Pico display works
+* Pico touch works
+* Buzzer works
+* No high-current loads pass through ESP32 relay contacts