diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9b1a8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+## Exercise 08: SystemStartup Package Scaffold
+
+This exercise starts a reusable `SystemStartup` package that is intended to be shared by future exercises and field firmware.
+
+Current package responsibilities:
+
+1. Initialize OLED and show boot/status messages.
+2. Initialize SD startup watcher.
+3. Keep SD monitoring active in `loop()` with a single call.
+
+Current integration pattern:
+
+```cpp
+#include "SystemStartup.h"
+
+static SystemStartup g_systemStartup(Serial);
+
+void setup() {
+  Serial.begin(115200);
+  g_systemStartup.begin();
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  g_systemStartup.update();
+  delay(10);
+}
+```
+
+This is the foundation for adding more startup subsystems (RTC sync/check, etc.) behind the same `begin()/update()` API.
+
+## Build
+
+```bash
+source /home/jlpoole/rnsenv/bin/activate
+pio run -e node_a
+```
+
+## Upload
+
+```bash
+source /home/jlpoole/rnsenv/bin/activate
+pio run -e node_a -t upload --upload-port /dev/ttyACM0
+```
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e8791c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+#include "StartupSdManager.h"
+
+#include <stdarg.h>
+#include "driver/gpio.h"
+
+StartupSdManager::StartupSdManager(Print& serial) : serial_(serial) {}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::begin(const SdWatcherConfig& cfg, SdStatusCallback callback) {
+  cfg_ = cfg;
+  callback_ = callback;
+
+  forceSpiDeselected();
+  dumpSdPins("very-early");
+
+  if (!initPmuForSdPower()) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  cycleSdRail();
+  delay(cfg_.startupWarmupMs);
+
+  bool warmMounted = false;
+  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
+    if (mountPreferred(false)) {
+      warmMounted = true;
+      break;
+    }
+    delay(200);
+  }
+
+  // Some cards need a longer power/settle window after cold boot.
+  // Before declaring ABSENT, retry with extended settle and a full scan.
+  if (!warmMounted) {
+    logf("Watcher: startup preferred mount failed, retrying with extended settle");
+    cycleSdRail(400, 1200);
+    delay(cfg_.startupWarmupMs + 1500);
+    warmMounted = mountCardFullScan();
+  }
+
+  if (warmMounted) {
+    setStateMounted();
+  } else {
+    setStateAbsent();
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::update() {
+  const uint32_t now = millis();
+  const uint32_t pollInterval =
+      (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) ? cfg_.pollIntervalMountedMs : cfg_.pollIntervalAbsentMs;
+
+  if ((uint32_t)(now - lastPollMs_) < pollInterval) {
+    return;
+  }
+  lastPollMs_ = now;
+
+  if (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
+    if (verifyMountedCard()) {
+      presentVotes_ = 0;
+      absentVotes_ = 0;
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (mountPreferred(false) && verifyMountedCard()) {
+      presentVotes_ = 0;
+      absentVotes_ = 0;
+      return;
+    }
+
+    absentVotes_++;
+    presentVotes_ = 0;
+    if (absentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToAbsent) {
+      setStateAbsent();
+      absentVotes_ = 0;
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
+  bool mounted = mountPreferred(false);
+  if (!mounted && (uint32_t)(now - lastFullScanMs_) >= cfg_.fullScanIntervalMs) {
+    lastFullScanMs_ = now;
+    if (cfg_.recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan) {
+      logf("Watcher: recovery rail cycle before full scan");
+      cycleSdRail(cfg_.recoveryRailOffMs, cfg_.recoveryRailOnSettleMs);
+      delay(150);
+    }
+    logf("Watcher: preferred probe failed, running full scan");
+    mounted = mountCardFullScan();
+  }
+
+  if (mounted) {
+    presentVotes_++;
+    absentVotes_ = 0;
+    if (presentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToPresent) {
+      setStateMounted();
+      presentVotes_ = 0;
+    }
+  } else {
+    absentVotes_++;
+    presentVotes_ = 0;
+    if (absentVotes_ >= cfg_.votesToAbsent) {
+      setStateAbsent();
+      absentVotes_ = 0;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::consumeMountedEvent() {
+  bool out = mountedEventPending_;
+  mountedEventPending_ = false;
+  return out;
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::consumeRemovedEvent() {
+  bool out = removedEventPending_;
+  removedEventPending_ = false;
+  return out;
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::logf(const char* fmt, ...) {
+  char msg[196];
+  va_list args;
+  va_start(args, fmt);
+  vsnprintf(msg, sizeof(msg), fmt, args);
+  va_end(args);
+  serial_.printf("[%10lu][%06lu] %s\r\n",
+                 (unsigned long)millis(),
+                 (unsigned long)logSeq_++,
+                 msg);
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::notify(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
+  if (callback_ != nullptr) {
+    callback_(event, message);
+  }
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::forceSpiDeselected() {
+  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), OUTPUT);
+  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
+  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), OUTPUT);
+  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), HIGH);
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::dumpSdPins(const char* tag) {
+  if (!cfg_.enablePinDumps) {
+    (void)tag;
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const gpio_num_t cs = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdCs();
+  const gpio_num_t sck = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdSck();
+  const gpio_num_t miso = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdMiso();
+  const gpio_num_t mosi = (gpio_num_t)tbeam_supreme::sdMosi();
+  logf("PINS(%s): CS=%d SCK=%d MISO=%d MOSI=%d",
+       tag, gpio_get_level(cs), gpio_get_level(sck), gpio_get_level(miso), gpio_get_level(mosi));
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::initPmuForSdPower() {
+  if (!tbeam_supreme::initPmuForPeripherals(pmu_, &serial_)) {
+    logf("ERROR: PMU init failed");
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::cycleSdRail(uint32_t offMs, uint32_t onSettleMs) {
+  if (!cfg_.enableSdRailCycle) {
+    return;
+  }
+  if (!pmu_) {
+    logf("SD rail cycle skipped: pmu=null");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  forceSpiDeselected();
+  pmu_->disablePowerOutput(XPOWERS_BLDO1);
+  delay(offMs);
+  pmu_->setPowerChannelVoltage(XPOWERS_BLDO1, 3300);
+  pmu_->enablePowerOutput(XPOWERS_BLDO1);
+  delay(onSettleMs);
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::tryMountWithBus(SPIClass& bus, const char* busName, uint32_t hz, bool verbose) {
+  SD.end();
+  bus.end();
+  delay(10);
+  forceSpiDeselected();
+
+  bus.begin(tbeam_supreme::sdSck(), tbeam_supreme::sdMiso(), tbeam_supreme::sdMosi(), tbeam_supreme::sdCs());
+  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
+  delay(2);
+  for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
+    bus.transfer(0xFF);
+  }
+  delay(2);
+
+  if (verbose) {
+    logf("SD: trying bus=%s freq=%lu Hz", busName, (unsigned long)hz);
+  }
+
+  if (!SD.begin(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), bus, hz)) {
+    if (verbose) {
+      logf("SD: mount failed (possible non-FAT format, power, or bus issue)");
+    }
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (SD.cardType() == CARD_NONE) {
+    SD.end();
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  sdSpi_ = &bus;
+  sdBusName_ = busName;
+  sdFreq_ = hz;
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::mountPreferred(bool verbose) {
+  return tryMountWithBus(sdSpiH_, "HSPI", 400000, verbose);
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::mountCardFullScan() {
+  const uint32_t freqs[] = {400000, 1000000, 4000000, 10000000};
+
+  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < (sizeof(freqs) / sizeof(freqs[0])); ++i) {
+    if (tryMountWithBus(sdSpiH_, "HSPI", freqs[i], true)) {
+      logf("SD: card detected and mounted");
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < (sizeof(freqs) / sizeof(freqs[0])); ++i) {
+    if (tryMountWithBus(sdSpiF_, "FSPI", freqs[i], true)) {
+      logf("SD: card detected and mounted");
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  logf("SD: begin() failed on all bus/frequency attempts");
+  return false;
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::verifyMountedCard() {
+  File root = SD.open("/", FILE_READ);
+  if (!root) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  root.close();
+  return true;
+}
+
+const char* StartupSdManager::cardTypeToString(uint8_t type) {
+  switch (type) {
+    case CARD_MMC:
+      return "MMC";
+    case CARD_SD:
+      return "SDSC";
+    case CARD_SDHC:
+      return "SDHC/SDXC";
+    default:
+      return "UNKNOWN";
+  }
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::printCardInfo() {
+  uint8_t cardType = SD.cardType();
+  uint64_t cardSizeMB = SD.cardSize() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
+  uint64_t totalMB = SD.totalBytes() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
+  uint64_t usedMB = SD.usedBytes() / (1024ULL * 1024ULL);
+
+  logf("SD type: %s", cardTypeToString(cardType));
+  logf("SD size: %llu MB", cardSizeMB);
+  logf("FS total: %llu MB", totalMB);
+  logf("FS used : %llu MB", usedMB);
+  logf("SPI bus: %s @ %lu Hz", sdBusName_, (unsigned long)sdFreq_);
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::ensureDirRecursive(const char* path) {
+  String full(path);
+  if (!full.startsWith("/")) {
+    full = "/" + full;
+  }
+
+  int start = 1;
+  while (start > 0 && start < (int)full.length()) {
+    int slash = full.indexOf('/', start);
+    String partial = (slash < 0) ? full : full.substring(0, slash);
+    if (!SD.exists(partial.c_str()) && !SD.mkdir(partial.c_str())) {
+      logf("ERROR: mkdir failed for %s", partial.c_str());
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (slash < 0) {
+      break;
+    }
+    start = slash + 1;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool StartupSdManager::rewriteFile(const char* path, const char* payload) {
+  if (SD.exists(path) && !SD.remove(path)) {
+    logf("ERROR: failed to erase %s", path);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  File f = SD.open(path, FILE_WRITE);
+  if (!f) {
+    logf("ERROR: failed to create %s", path);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  size_t wrote = f.println(payload);
+  f.close();
+  if (wrote == 0) {
+    logf("ERROR: write failed for %s", path);
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::permissionsDemo(const char* path) {
+  logf("Permissions demo: FAT has no Unix chmod/chown, use open mode only.");
+  File r = SD.open(path, FILE_READ);
+  if (!r) {
+    logf("Could not open %s as FILE_READ", path);
+    return;
+  }
+  size_t writeInReadMode = r.print("attempt write while opened read-only");
+  if (writeInReadMode == 0) {
+    logf("As expected, FILE_READ write was blocked.");
+  } else {
+    logf("NOTE: FILE_READ write returned %u (unexpected)", (unsigned)writeInReadMode);
+  }
+  r.close();
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::setStateMounted() {
+  if (watchState_ != SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
+    logf("EVENT: card inserted/mounted");
+    mountedEventPending_ = true;
+    notify(SdEvent::CARD_MOUNTED, "SD card mounted");
+  }
+  watchState_ = SdWatchState::MOUNTED;
+}
+
+void StartupSdManager::setStateAbsent() {
+  if (watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED) {
+    logf("EVENT: card removed/unavailable");
+    removedEventPending_ = true;
+    notify(SdEvent::CARD_REMOVED, "SD card removed");
+  } else if (watchState_ != SdWatchState::ABSENT) {
+    logf("EVENT: no card detected");
+    notify(SdEvent::NO_CARD, "Missing SD card or invalid FAT16/FAT32 format");
+  }
+  SD.end();
+  watchState_ = SdWatchState::ABSENT;
+}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be9ef27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/StartupSdManager.h
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <Arduino.h>
+#include <SD.h>
+#include <SPI.h>
+#include <Wire.h>
+#include "tbeam_supreme_adapter.h"
+
+enum class SdWatchState : uint8_t {
+  UNKNOWN = 0,
+  ABSENT,
+  MOUNTED
+};
+
+enum class SdEvent : uint8_t {
+  NO_CARD,
+  CARD_MOUNTED,
+  CARD_REMOVED
+};
+
+using SdStatusCallback = void (*)(SdEvent event, const char* message);
+
+struct SdWatcherConfig {
+  bool enableSdRailCycle = true;
+  bool enablePinDumps = true;
+  bool recoveryRailCycleOnFullScan = true;
+  uint32_t recoveryRailOffMs = 250;
+  uint32_t recoveryRailOnSettleMs = 700;
+  uint32_t startupWarmupMs = 1500;
+  uint32_t pollIntervalAbsentMs = 1000;
+  uint32_t pollIntervalMountedMs = 2000;
+  uint32_t fullScanIntervalMs = 10000;
+  uint8_t votesToPresent = 2;
+  uint8_t votesToAbsent = 5;
+};
+
+class StartupSdManager {
+ public:
+  explicit StartupSdManager(Print& serial = Serial);
+
+  bool begin(const SdWatcherConfig& cfg, SdStatusCallback callback = nullptr);
+  void update();
+
+  bool isMounted() const { return watchState_ == SdWatchState::MOUNTED; }
+  SdWatchState state() const { return watchState_; }
+
+  bool consumeMountedEvent();
+  bool consumeRemovedEvent();
+
+  void printCardInfo();
+  bool ensureDirRecursive(const char* path);
+  bool rewriteFile(const char* path, const char* payload);
+  void permissionsDemo(const char* path);
+
+ private:
+  void logf(const char* fmt, ...);
+  void notify(SdEvent event, const char* message);
+  void forceSpiDeselected();
+  void dumpSdPins(const char* tag);
+  bool initPmuForSdPower();
+  void cycleSdRail(uint32_t offMs = 250, uint32_t onSettleMs = 600);
+  bool tryMountWithBus(SPIClass& bus, const char* busName, uint32_t hz, bool verbose);
+  bool mountPreferred(bool verbose);
+  bool mountCardFullScan();
+  bool verifyMountedCard();
+  const char* cardTypeToString(uint8_t type);
+  void setStateMounted();
+  void setStateAbsent();
+
+  Print& serial_;
+  SdWatcherConfig cfg_{};
+  SdStatusCallback callback_ = nullptr;
+
+  SPIClass sdSpiH_{HSPI};
+  SPIClass sdSpiF_{FSPI};
+  SPIClass* sdSpi_ = nullptr;
+  const char* sdBusName_ = "none";
+  uint32_t sdFreq_ = 0;
+  XPowersLibInterface* pmu_ = nullptr;
+
+  SdWatchState watchState_ = SdWatchState::UNKNOWN;
+  uint8_t presentVotes_ = 0;
+  uint8_t absentVotes_ = 0;
+  uint32_t lastPollMs_ = 0;
+  uint32_t lastFullScanMs_ = 0;
+  uint32_t logSeq_ = 0;
+
+  bool mountedEventPending_ = false;
+  bool removedEventPending_ = false;
+};
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4978fdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/startup_sd/library.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "name": "startup_sd",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "XPowersLib"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "Wire"
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a82e1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+#include "SystemStartup.h"
+
+#include <Wire.h>
+#include <U8g2lib.h>
+
+#ifndef OLED_SDA
+#define OLED_SDA 17
+#endif
+
+#ifndef OLED_SCL
+#define OLED_SCL 18
+#endif
+
+#ifndef OLED_ADDR
+#define OLED_ADDR 0x3C
+#endif
+
+static const bool kEnableOled = true;
+
+static U8G2_SH1106_128X64_NONAME_F_HW_I2C g_oled(U8G2_R0, /* reset=*/U8X8_PIN_NONE);
+static SystemStartup* g_activeSystemStartup = nullptr;
+
+static void forceSpiDeselectedEarly() {
+  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), OUTPUT);
+  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::sdCs(), HIGH);
+  pinMode(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), OUTPUT);
+  digitalWrite(tbeam_supreme::imuCs(), HIGH);
+}
+
+SystemStartup::SystemStartup(Print& serial) : serial_(serial), sd_(serial) {}
+
+bool SystemStartup::begin(const SystemStartupConfig& cfg, SystemEventCallback callback) {
+  cfg_ = cfg;
+  callback_ = callback;
+  g_activeSystemStartup = this;
+
+  // Match Exercise 05 behavior: deselect SPI devices immediately at startup.
+  forceSpiDeselectedEarly();
+
+  if (kEnableOled) {
+    Wire.begin(OLED_SDA, OLED_SCL);
+    g_oled.setI2CAddress(OLED_ADDR << 1);
+    g_oled.begin();
+  }
+
+  emit(SystemEvent::BOOTING, "System startup booting");
+  oledShow3("System Startup", "Booting...");
+
+  serial_.printf("Sleeping for %lu ms to allow Serial Monitor connection...\r\n",
+                 (unsigned long)cfg_.serialDelayMs);
+  delay(cfg_.serialDelayMs);
+
+  return sd_.begin(cfg_.sd, &SystemStartup::onSdEventThunk);
+}
+
+void SystemStartup::update() {
+  sd_.update();
+}
+
+void SystemStartup::onSdEventThunk(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
+  if (g_activeSystemStartup != nullptr) {
+    g_activeSystemStartup->onSdEvent(event, message);
+  }
+}
+
+void SystemStartup::onSdEvent(SdEvent event, const char* message) {
+  if (event == SdEvent::NO_CARD) {
+    oledShow3("SD missing or", "invalid FAT16/32", "Insert/format card");
+    emit(SystemEvent::SD_MISSING, message);
+  } else if (event == SdEvent::CARD_MOUNTED) {
+    oledShow3("SD card ready", "Mounted OK");
+    emit(SystemEvent::SD_READY, message);
+  } else if (event == SdEvent::CARD_REMOVED) {
+    oledShow3("SD card removed", "Please re-insert");
+    emit(SystemEvent::SD_REMOVED, message);
+  }
+}
+
+void SystemStartup::emit(SystemEvent event, const char* message) {
+  serial_.printf("[SYSTEM] %s\r\n", message);
+  if (callback_ != nullptr) {
+    callback_(event, message);
+  }
+}
+
+void SystemStartup::oledShow3(const char* l1, const char* l2, const char* l3) {
+  if (!kEnableOled) {
+    return;
+  }
+  g_oled.clearBuffer();
+  g_oled.setFont(u8g2_font_6x10_tf);
+  if (l1) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 16, l1);
+  if (l2) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 32, l2);
+  if (l3) g_oled.drawUTF8(0, 48, l3);
+  g_oled.sendBuffer();
+}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd83857
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/SystemStartup.h
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <Arduino.h>
+#include "StartupSdManager.h"
+
+// Convenience alias so sketches can use System.println(...) style logging.
+// Arduino exposes Serial, not System, so map System -> Serial.
+#ifndef System
+#define System Serial
+#endif
+
+enum class SystemEvent : uint8_t {
+  BOOTING = 0,
+  SD_MISSING,
+  SD_READY,
+  SD_REMOVED
+};
+
+using SystemEventCallback = void (*)(SystemEvent event, const char* message);
+
+struct SystemStartupConfig {
+  uint32_t serialDelayMs = 5000;
+  SdWatcherConfig sd{};
+};
+
+class SystemStartup {
+ public:
+  explicit SystemStartup(Print& serial = Serial);
+
+  bool begin(const SystemStartupConfig& cfg = SystemStartupConfig{}, SystemEventCallback callback = nullptr);
+  void update();
+
+  bool isSdMounted() const { return sd_.isMounted(); }
+  StartupSdManager& sdManager() { return sd_; }
+
+ private:
+  static void onSdEventThunk(SdEvent event, const char* message);
+  void onSdEvent(SdEvent event, const char* message);
+  void emit(SystemEvent event, const char* message);
+  void oledShow3(const char* l1, const char* l2 = nullptr, const char* l3 = nullptr);
+
+  Print& serial_;
+  SystemStartupConfig cfg_{};
+  SystemEventCallback callback_ = nullptr;
+  StartupSdManager sd_;
+};
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c2c1cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/lib/system_startup/library.json
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+{
+  "name": "system_startup",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "startup_sd"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "U8g2"
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "Wire"
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e760c56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/platformio.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+; 20260213 ChatGPT
+; $Id$
+; $HeadURL$
+
+[platformio]
+default_envs = node_a
+
+[env]
+platform = espressif32
+framework = arduino
+board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
+monitor_speed = 115200
+lib_deps =
+  lewisxhe/XPowersLib@0.3.3
+  Wire
+  olikraus/U8g2@^2.36.4
+
+; SD pins based on T-Beam S3 core pin mapping
+build_flags =
+  -I ../../shared/boards
+  -I ../../external/microReticulum_Firmware
+  -D BOARD_MODEL=BOARD_TBEAM_S_V1
+  -D OLED_SDA=17
+  -D OLED_SCL=18
+  -D OLED_ADDR=0x3C
+  -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
+  -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
+
+[env:node_a]
+build_flags =
+  ${env.build_flags}
+  -D NODE_LABEL=\"A\"
+
+[env:node_b]
+build_flags =
+  ${env.build_flags}
+  -D NODE_LABEL=\"B\"
diff --git a/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f766e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exercises/08_SystemStartup/src/main.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// 20260216 ChatGPT
+// $Id$
+// $HeadURL$
+
+#include <Arduino.h>
+#include "SystemStartup.h"
+
+static SystemStartup g_systemStartup(Serial);
+
+void setup() {
+  Serial.begin(115200);
+  System.println("Example 08: setup() called. About to call g_systemStartup.begin().");
+  g_systemStartup.begin();
+  System.println("After g_systemStartup() in setup().");
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  g_systemStartup.update();
+  System.println("Example 08 loop() called and after g_systemStartup.update().");
+  delay(1000);
+}