# Blynk and Raspberry Pi: Tips & Tricks

{% hint style="warning" %}
This documentation is for the LEGACY version of Blynk platform which is no longer supported and will be shut down. 

You can sign up for the current version of Blynk platform [here](http://blynk.cloud/dashboard/register).

The new mobile apps can be downloaded from [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blynk-iot/id1559317868) and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cloud.blynk\&hl=en\&gl=US).

The actual Blynk documentation is [here](https://docs.blynk.io/).
{% endhint %}

#### Autostart <a href="#autostart" id="autostart"></a>

To enable Blynk autostart for Pi, find `/etc/rc.local` file and add there:

```
node full_path_to_your_script.js <YourAuthToken> &
```

#### Run forever <a href="#run-forever" id="run-forever"></a>

Use  `forever` utility to auto-restart your script.&#x20;

```
npm install -g forever
```

#### Run external scripts/utilities from Blynk  <a href="#run-external-scriptsutilities-from-blynk" id="run-external-scriptsutilities-from-blynk"></a>

You can run external python, batch, or just anything executable from Node.js using `child_process` module:

```
var exec = require('child_process').exec;
exec('command', function callback(error, stdout, stderr){
    // result
});
```

#### PiBakery <a href="#pibakery" id="pibakery"></a>

[PiBakery](http://www.pibakery.org/) allows you to pre-configure Raspberry Pi, while creating SD Card.