ESP32 Software / IDE Setup
Step 1: Install the Arduino IDE
- Go to the official Arduino Software page.
- Download and install Arduino IDE 2.x for your operating system.
- Open the IDE and confirm it launches correctly — check Help → About Arduino IDE to see the installed version.
Step 2: Add the ESP32 Board Package via Boards Manager
The ESP32 isn't an official Arduino board, so its board definitions have to be added through a third-party Boards Manager URL — a JSON index file the IDE reads to know which packages are available.
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Open File → Preferences (Windows/Linux) or Arduino IDE → Settings (macOS).
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Find the Additional Boards Manager URLs field and paste:
https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json -
Click OK to save.
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Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager….
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Search for esp32 and click Install on "esp32 by Espressif Systems".
⏳ This can take a few minutes — the package includes the full Xtensa/RISC-V toolchains.
- Once installed, open Tools → Board → esp32 — you should see a long list of ESP32 boards (ESP32 Dev Module, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3, ESP32-C6, and more). Installing the package once adds every ESP32 variant — you don't install a separate package per chip.
Setting Up Multiple Boards at Once
Programming ESP32 and ESP8266 (or Arduino, or Raspberry Pi Pico) from the same Arduino IDE install? You can paste several Boards Manager URLs into the same field at once, separated by commas. See ESP32 & ESP8266 Setup → Setting Up Both Chips at Once for the combined URL.
Next: Run Your First Program
With the IDE and board package installed, connect your board and upload your first sketch.
➡️ Continue to First Program Guide
