diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dab9bc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+name: Firmware Build
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [develop, main]
+  push:
+    branches: [develop]
+
+jobs:
+  platformio-build:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.12"
+
+      - name: Install PlatformIO
+        run: python -m pip install platformio
+
+      - name: Compile firmware
+        run: python scripts/compile_check.py
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 26415f5..5a29f66 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@ See [docs/STATUS.md](docs/STATUS.md) for the current project state.
 
 The firmware expects a local `src/config.h` file that is not committed. Start from [src/config_template.h](src/config_template.h) and adjust the values for your network and MQTT broker.
 
+For compile-only validation, the repository now supports a temporary-config path:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/compile_check.py
+```
+
+If `src/config.h` is missing, the script copies `src/config_template.h`, runs `platformio run`, and removes the temporary file again.
+
 Additional operating context now lives in:
 
 - [docs/hardware.md](docs/hardware.md)
@@ -42,6 +50,6 @@ Additional operating context now lives in:
 ## Immediate Next Steps
 
 1. Replace the legacy `config.h` flow with a clearer credentials/config separation.
-2. Add a repeatable local build check that uses placeholder config for compile-only validation.
+2. Add a real hardware smoke-test routine after the new compile-only validation path.
 3. Decide which parts should remain standalone versus moving into `SkySentinel`.
 4. Add hive-specific telemetry beyond the current BME280 baseline once the hardware scope is stable.
diff --git a/docs/STATUS.md b/docs/STATUS.md
index 607fbaa..af825f3 100644
--- a/docs/STATUS.md
+++ b/docs/STATUS.md
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ HiveTech is an ESP32 firmware prototype for live beehive monitoring. It reads BM
 - Public again by explicit portfolio decision
 - Still uses a legacy `config.h` include path
 - PlatformIO/IoT profile context is now committed in `anr.profile.yaml` plus focused hardware and operations docs
-- No modern CI/build validation yet
+- Compile-only validation now works via `python scripts/compile_check.py`
+- CI build validation is defined in `.github/workflows/build.yml`
 - Local developer deployment settings are still present outside committed templates
 
 ## Known Gaps
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ HiveTech is an ESP32 firmware prototype for live beehive monitoring. It reads BM
 - Hardware wiring is documented only to the level visible in current firmware assumptions
 - Deployment is still local and OTA-target specific
 - MQTT contract is documented but still topic-only, without retained/availability semantics
+- Real hardware smoke validation is still manual
 
 ## Next Milestone
 
diff --git a/docs/operations.md b/docs/operations.md
index 9ac48f0..9504746 100644
--- a/docs/operations.md
+++ b/docs/operations.md
@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@ Current runtime flow:
 
 `platformio.ini` currently contains a developer-local `upload_port`. Treat that as local machine state, not as committed team-wide truth.
 
+## Build And Validation
+
+- `python scripts/compile_check.py` is the default compile-only validation path
+- the script creates a temporary `src/config.h` from `src/config_template.h` when needed
+- CI uses the same path so local and remote validation stay aligned
+
 ## Safety Rules
 
 - separate local credentials from committed templates
diff --git a/docs/verification.md b/docs/verification.md
index 8eb599c..0fcacc0 100644
--- a/docs/verification.md
+++ b/docs/verification.md
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ Keep firmware changes reproducible and separate "compiles locally" from "works o
 
 ## Minimum Checks
 
-1. Copy `src/config_template.h` to local `src/config.h` or provide an equivalent local config file.
-2. Run `platformio run` for `env:esp32dev`.
+1. Run `python scripts/compile_check.py` for a compile-only check.
+2. If you need device-specific validation, provide a real local `src/config.h`.
 3. Flash or OTA-update the node using the local deployment path from `platformio.ini`.
 4. Confirm serial boot output reaches:
    - Wi-Fi connect
@@ -22,5 +22,5 @@ Keep firmware changes reproducible and separate "compiles locally" from "works o
 
 ## Separation Of Checks
 
-- Compile-only validation is useful for refactors and dependency changes.
+- Compile-only validation is now available via `python scripts/compile_check.py`.
 - Real hardware validation is still mandatory after sensor, networking, OTA, or sleep-logic changes.
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 118ee58..450b985 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@
 platform = espressif32
 board = esp32dev
 framework = arduino
+upload_protocol = espota
+lib_deps =
+    knolleary/PubSubClient @ ^2.8
+    sparkfun/SparkFun BME280 @ ^2.0.9
 
 upload_port = 192.168.178.135
 ;upload_port = COM5
diff --git a/scripts/compile_check.py b/scripts/compile_check.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f7a070
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/compile_check.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    repo_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+    src_dir = repo_root / "src"
+    config_path = src_dir / "config.h"
+    template_path = src_dir / "config_template.h"
+
+    created_temp_config = False
+    if not config_path.exists():
+        shutil.copyfile(template_path, config_path)
+        created_temp_config = True
+        print(f"created temporary config: {config_path}")
+    else:
+        print(f"using existing local config: {config_path}")
+
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            [sys.executable, "-m", "platformio", "run"],
+            cwd=repo_root,
+            check=False,
+        )
+        return result.returncode
+    finally:
+        if created_temp_config and config_path.exists():
+            config_path.unlink()
+            print(f"removed temporary config: {config_path}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/src/HiveTech.h b/src/HiveTech.h
index c096e8f..fc3a52c 100644
--- a/src/HiveTech.h
+++ b/src/HiveTech.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include <ArduinoOTA.h>
 #include <PubSubClient.h>
 
-#include "esp_deep_sleep.h"
+#include <esp_sleep.h>
 
 #include <Wire.h>
 
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index c49ee24..7b91a0c 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ Method to print the reason by which ESP32
 has been awaken from sleep
 */
 void print_wakeup_reason(){
-  esp_deep_sleep_wakeup_cause_t wakeup_reason;
+  esp_sleep_wakeup_cause_t wakeup_reason;
 
-  wakeup_reason = esp_deep_sleep_get_wakeup_cause();
+  wakeup_reason = esp_sleep_get_wakeup_cause();
 
   switch(wakeup_reason)
   {
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ void setup() {
   First we configure the wake up source
   We set our ESP32 to wake up every 15 seconds
   */
-  esp_deep_sleep_enable_timer_wakeup(TIME_TO_SLEEP * uS_TO_S_FACTOR);
+  esp_sleep_enable_timer_wakeup(TIME_TO_SLEEP * uS_TO_S_FACTOR);
   //Serial.println("Setup ESP32 to sleep for every " + String(TIME_TO_SLEEP) + " Seconds");
 
   /*