Which driver you need depends on the ESP8266 module or USB-to-serial converter you use.
No installation required on Windows and macOS! Instructions how to run it on other platforms are available on the project site. Self-contained NodeMCU flasher with GUI based on Python, esptool.py (see below) and wxPython. It's run by a NodeMCU team member as an individual, though. Note that this service is not maintained by the NodeMCU team.
Move to the directory you store code in, and type: git clone Create the firmware (an executable. For example, mine was: /usr/local/lib/python3.7/site-packages/esptool.py. Note the path to where pip installs esptool.py. Type the following to download esptool using pip: sudo pip3 install esptool A bootloader is a program that will run on your computer, and load the firmware onto the ESP-8266. To Manually Flash Code Install a bootloader: esptool.pyįirmware refers to the code that runs on the microcontroller right when it turns on. Click OK.Ģ) Under "Tools > Board > Boards Manager" install the boards manger esp8266.ģ) Under "Tools > Board" select "Generic ESP8266 Module." Insert the Adapter into the USB Portġ) Insert the ESP8266 into the adapter (so that it's pointing toward the USB connector on the adapter).Ģ) Flip the switch on the adapter to "prog" mode, and insert the adapter into your USB port.ģ) Click "Upload" to flash your Arduino code to the ESP8266. Flashing with the Arduino IDE Set up the IDE:ġ) Open the Arduino IDE, and under "Arduino >Preferences", add the following URL to the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" list: " ". What I did find seemed to assume I knew a lot more than I did about bootloaders and firmware and binaries, etc.Īfter figuring out how to flash the ESP-8266 manually, I learned that you can just do it within the Arduino IDE. This is much simpler than trying to use the Arduino and a home-made flashing circuit.īut this adapter came without instructions, and there wasn't a ton of guidance on the internet about how to use it.