Headless Raspberry Pi Setup

Enable SSH

Using a clean Raspian install, create (touch) a blank file called 'ssh' on the /boot partition. Raspbian will see this and enable SSH by default.

Setup WiFi

Create a file called 'wpa_supplicant.conf' on the /boot partition with the following contents.

country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
  ssid="<YOUR_SSID>"
  psk="<YOUR_PASSWORD>"
}

Use your SSID and Password. Raspbian will see this file and copy it to /etc/wpa_supplicant.

SSH into your Raspberry Pi

ssh pi@raspberrypi.local

(or use the IP address)

Update/Upgrade

Update and upgrade all Raspbian software

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y && sudo apt-get autoremove -y && sudo apt-get autoclean && sync

This will ensure you are fully up to date (except the kernel which shouldn't matter in most cases) and lean.

Optional: Update the Kernel

If you know what you are doing and know why you are doing it, update the kernel, modules, and firmware as well. Install and run rpi-update

sudo apt-get install rpi-update -y
sudo rpi-update

Choose YES for updating the kernel if you are prompted. Reboot the Pi.

Raspi-Config

Run Raspi-Config (reboot the Pi first if you chose to update the kernel)

sudo raspi-config

Make the following recommended changes:

1. Change User Password
2. Change Hostname
3. Boot Options

• Depending on your project, B2 Console Autologin may work best for autostarting programs

4. Change Localisation Options

• Change Locale to en_US.UTF- UTF-8 (for US)
• Change Timezone
• Change Keyboard Layout (generic 104 usually works best for US)
• Change WiFi Country to US

Reboot the Pi.