Getting Started with ESP32

There are several types of ESP32 boards. Pick the one you have, or browse the most common ones to get the right setup instructions.

1. Choose Your ESP32 Board

Select your board below to see setup instructions and hardware details.

2. Set Up Your Development Environment

Choose how you want to program your board. Each option offers a different workflow, from beginner-friendly to advanced.

3. Upload Your First Sketch

Let's make your ESP32 do something! Choose your preferred language and upload a simple "Blink" example to get started.

// Blink LED on ESP32 (Arduino)
#define LED_BUILTIN 2

void setup() {
pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
delay(500);
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);
delay(500);
}

How to Upload:

  1. 1 Connect your ESP32 board to your computer via USB.
  2. 2 Open your chosen development environment (Arduino IDE, Thonny, VSCode, etc.).
  3. 3 Copy the code above into a new project or file.
  4. 4 Select the correct board and port in your environment's settings.
  5. 5 Click "Upload" (or "Run" for MicroPython) to flash the code to your ESP32.
  6. 6 Wait for the upload to finish. The onboard LED should start blinking!
Trouble uploading?
Many ESP32 boards require you to hold the "BOOT" button (sometimes labeled "IO0") while uploading, and release it when you see "Connecting…" in your IDE. If upload fails, try again and watch for this step!

4. Troubleshooting

Encountering issues? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Check out our common troubleshooting tips below.

5. Add Sensors to Your Project

Ready to go further? Start connecting things. Here are some beginner-friendly sensors to try: