diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e024bb0..5611e53 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -8,4 +8,6 @@ Schematics/Block-Party/Block-Party-Cube-Bottom-Board/production
 
 Schematics/Block-Party/Block-Party-Main-Board/Block-Party-Main-Board-backups/
 Schematics/Block-Party/Block-Party-Cube-Bottom-Board/Block-Party-Bottom-Board-backups/
-Schematics/Block-Party/Block-Party-Cube-Top-Board/Block-Party-Cube-Top-Board-backups/
\ No newline at end of file
+Schematics/Block-Party/Block-Party-Cube-Top-Board/Block-Party-Cube-Top-Board-backups/
+
+platformio-local.ini
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index b69f1c3..2b70b1f 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 ; https://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html
 [platformio]
 default_envs = esp32s3_release ; this ensures that only this environment is built for anything but the debug build
+extra_configs = platformio-local.ini
 
 [env]
 ; platform = espressif32
@@ -17,10 +18,9 @@ platform = https://github.com/platformio/platform-espressif32.git
 board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
 framework = arduino
 build_flags = -Iinclude
-; lib_ldf_mode = chain+
 
 monitor_speed = 9600
-monitor_filters = esp32_exception_decoder, colorize, send_on_enter
+monitor_filters = colorize, send_on_enter
 upload_speed = 2000000     ;ESP32S3 USB-Serial Converter maximum 2000000bps
 lib_deps = adafruit/Adafruit NeoPixel@^1.12.0
 
@@ -35,4 +35,6 @@ build_type = debug
 debug_speed = 20000
 ; debug_port = COM7
 ; monitor_port = COM14
-build_flags = -O1 -Iinclude
\ No newline at end of file
+build_flags = 
+    -D DEBUG = 1 
+    -I include
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/template-platformio-local.ini b/template-platformio-local.ini
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbe896d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/template-platformio-local.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+; This is a template that will allow you to add additional configuration 
+; options to the platformio.ini file without changing anything in git.
+; options like upload/monitor ports are great things to put here 
+; because those will vary from computer to computer.
+; To use this configuration, make a copy of this file and rename it to "platformio-local.ini" 
+; and then uncomment some of the following code or add your own options
+; Feel free to modify the code as needed
+
+; this will add additional configuration options to esp32s3_release environment. 
+; This environment is the default for building/sending code to the baord 
+; so this should be the first thing you change/modify
+; Uncomment the following code as needed:
+; [env:esp32s3_release]
+; monitor_port = COM10
+; upload_port = COM11
+; monitor_speed = 115200
+
+; this is the debug configuration which you probably don't need 
+; unless you're doing some complicated firmware development.
+; [env:esp32s3_debug]
+; debug_port = COM7
+; monitor_port = COM14
+; upload_port = COM12
\ No newline at end of file