NodeMCU+Arduino+IFTT

I found this instructable a good starting point to get to hello world!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-Start-to-Nodemcu-ESP8266-on-Arduino-IDE/

Added below to file->preferences Additional Board Manager URL's:

http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

Installed the esp8266 board library per the instructable.

Plugged in the NodeMCU clone board I have. I am running linux so I check dmesg to see what port it was on:

dmesg

usb 2-5: cp210x converter now attached to ttyUSB0

Opened the blink example.

Set the port to ttyUSB0

Set the board to Esp8266-11e

Put an LED between pin d7(+) and gnd(-)

Clicked the arrow to download to the board.

Nothing happened.

Pressed the reset button just to the right of the usb connection when the usb cable is closest to you.

Program download continued.

LED started to blink.

I modified the program to blink at 400ms instead of a 2s period to prove this was indeed my program.

This time the download succeeded without me pressing any buttons other than the download arrow.