The best way to get started is with an official Chipino Starter Package. You can also get the CHIPINO Deluxe Starter kit with PICkit 2 or PICkit 3 Programmer, CHIPINO module, proto-board and sample components. This package also includes the Simple C library for the HI-TECH or XC8 compiler and PBP3  Basic Compiler Student Edition. This allows you to program CHIPINO in BASIC or C.

You can also buy the kit version of the Chipino module which includes the board and the components allowing you to build the module as you want. 

At the heart of every Chipino is the Chipino circuit board. You can purchase that board and then build it to your requirements. A parts list of components is included to help you build it like the original. 

You can use the Chipino with many different PIC programmers. The Microchip PICkit 2 is open source so you can even build your own. The most popular are the PICkit 2 and PICkit 3.

The CHIPINO module used in the CHIPINO Deluxe Starter Package uses the PIC16F886 with a 16 Mhz crystal and 5v operation. The module can be powered from the ICSP programmer header or an external power source. The module has an on-off switch for the external power source. The module has a reset switch and connection headers that match the Arduino footprint so many shields can be plugged in.

The CHIPINO can be programmed in any software that supports the PIC16F886. The SimpleC library from Chuck Hellebuyck for the Microchip HI-TECH C / XC8 compiler is a great choice and so is the PBP3 Student Edition BASIC Compiler from microEngineering Labs. Both of these come with the CHIPINO Deluxe Starter Package.

The CHIPINO can be programmed by any programmer that supports the Microchip PIC. A PICkit 2 or PICKit 3 version of the Deluxe Starter Package is available.

The CHIPINO works with the Microchip MPLAB IDE which runs on computers with a Windows operating system or MPLABX which runs on Windows, MAC or Linux (C programming only). The MPLAB IDE's have a built in editor for writing the software and works directly with the HI-TECH/SimpleC software and PICkit  programmers for one click compile and program. MPLAB can also run the system in debug mode for stepping through your code. It also has a built in simulator for developing CHIPINO C code without hardware.
You can also use it with the MCStudio IDE for the PBP3 BASIC compiler on Windows computers. This IDE has syntax highlighting and many other features that make using PBP3 a lot easier to use.

The CHIPINO Deluxe Starter Package also includes pre-written SimpleC sample code and PBP3 sample code to help you get your first projects running quickly.

The Deluxe Starter Package also includes a CHIPINO proto-board shield for developing custom circuitry on your CHIPINO platform. A few discrete components for the sample projects are also included.