Computer Requirements

You'll need a Windows, Mac or Linux computer and Internet connection.
The Arduino IDE software is supported on:

• Windows 10 or newer with 32-bit and 64-bit systems

• Mac OS 10.10 or newer

• Linux: 32 bits, 64 bits, ARM, ARM64

• Chromebook

  • You can use a Chromebook if you enable it for Linux. (Caution: advanced skill level!)

  • Note that the "Arduino Web Editor" does not support the ESP8266 microncontroller, so we can't use that.

  • Here is a video that demonstrates how to set this up:
    Arduino IDE on Chromebook

Test your Arduino IDE installation

• Tools ... Port

  • Look at the list of communication ports (there may be no ports lists)

• Connect the USB cable to the ESP8266 board and your notebook

• Tools ... Port

  • Select the new port, which should be the ESP8266 board

• File ... New

  • Select all the text and delete it.

  • Copy the following Arduino sketch:

#define LED_BUILTIN 2

void setup() {

pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {

digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW); // D1 Mini: turns the LED *on*

delay(1000);

digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // D1 Mini: turns the LED *off*

delay(1000);

}

• Sketch ... Upload

  • Save the sketch when prompted.

  • Wait for the Arduino compiler to run and upload the program to the ESP8266.

  • If everything is OK, the last line in the status window, at the bottom of the Arduino IDE, should be:
    Hard resetting via RTS pin...

  • Then, the blue LED on the ES8266 board should be blinking once per second.

  • If this isn't working, ask for assistance.