> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sophiabarnes.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install and activate a moisture sensor

> Set up a VerdantBot soil moisture sensor and pair it to your account so readings appear in the dashboard.

Follow this guide after your VerdantBot soil moisture sensor arrives to get it powered on, paired to your account, and reporting readings to the [real-time soil moisture dashboard](/mintlify-demo/v1.1/soil-moisture-dashboard).

## Prerequisites

* A VerdantBot soil moisture sensor (included with your VerdantBot device).
* The VerdantBot mobile app, version 1.0 or later (iOS 16+ / Android 12+).
* A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network the sensor can join.
* At least one plant registered through [`POST /plants`](/mintlify-demo/v1.1/api-reference/add-a-plant) — the sensor binds to a plant during pairing.

## Install the sensor

<Steps>
  <Step title="Insert the batteries">
    Open the battery compartment on the back of the sensor and insert the included batteries. The status LED blinks green once when power is detected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place the probe in the soil">
    Push the probe straight down into the soil next to the plant until the moisture contacts are fully covered. Keep the sensor body above the soil line so the LED and antenna stay clear.

    <Tip>
      Place the probe roughly halfway between the plant stem and the edge of the pot for the most representative reading.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Put the sensor into pairing mode">
    Press and hold the **Pair** button on the sensor for about 5 seconds. The LED switches to a slow blue blink to indicate pairing mode.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Activate and pair the sensor

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the VerdantBot app">
    Launch the VerdantBot mobile app and sign in to the same account that owns your VerdantBot device.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start sensor setup">
    Go to **Settings → Devices → Add sensor**. The app scans for sensors in pairing mode and shows yours by serial number (printed on the back of the sensor).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect to Wi-Fi">
    Select your 2.4 GHz network and enter the password. The sensor LED turns solid blue once it joins the network.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bind the sensor to a plant">
    Choose the plant this sensor should report for from the list of plants you registered via [`POST /plants`](/mintlify-demo/v1.1/api-reference/add-a-plant). Each sensor reports for one plant at a time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm activation">
    Wait for the LED to turn solid green. A first moisture reading appears on the plant's card in the [dashboard](/mintlify-demo/v1.1/soil-moisture-dashboard) within about a minute.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify it's working

* Open the VerdantBot app and tap **Dashboard**. The plant you bound the sensor to should show a **Current moisture %** value and a recent timestamp.
* Water the plant and watch the moisture % rise within a few minutes — confirmation that the probe is reading correctly.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The LED never enters pairing mode (no blue blink)">
    * Confirm the batteries are oriented correctly and have charge — the LED should blink green once on power-up.
    * Hold the **Pair** button for the full 5 seconds; a short tap will not enter pairing mode.
    * If the sensor was previously paired, reset it by holding **Pair** for 15 seconds until the LED blinks red, then try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The app can't find the sensor">
    * Make sure your phone's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both on — the app uses Bluetooth to discover sensors in pairing mode.
    * Keep the sensor within about 3 meters (10 feet) of your phone during pairing.
    * Quit and reopen the app, then retry **Settings → Devices → Add sensor**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wi-Fi connection fails">
    * VerdantBot sensors only support **2.4 GHz** networks. If your router broadcasts a combined 2.4/5 GHz SSID, temporarily disable the 5 GHz band or use a 2.4 GHz-only guest network for pairing.
    * Double-check the Wi-Fi password — special characters are case-sensitive.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The sensor is paired but no reading appears on the dashboard">
    * Confirm the sensor is bound to a plant that exists in your account. If you deleted the plant via [`DELETE /plants/{id}`](/mintlify-demo/v1.1/api-reference/delete-a-plant), re-add the plant and re-bind the sensor.
    * Push the probe deeper so the moisture contacts are fully in soil — readings of `0%` usually indicate the contacts are exposed to air.
    * Allow up to 5 minutes for the first reading to propagate after pairing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Soil moisture dashboard" icon="droplet" href="/mintlify-demo/v1.1/soil-moisture-dashboard">
    View live readings and 7-day trends for every plant.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add a plant" icon="plus" href="/mintlify-demo/v1.1/api-reference/add-a-plant">
    Register more plants so additional sensors have something to bind to.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>