ESP8266 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 ESP8266 Board Package via Boards Manager
The ESP8266 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://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json -
Click OK to save.
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Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager….
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Search for esp8266 and click Install on "esp8266 by ESP8266 Community".
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Once installed, open Tools → Board → ESP8266 Boards — you should see entries like NodeMCU 1.0, Generic ESP8266 Module, and LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 mini.
Setting Up Multiple Boards at Once
Programming ESP8266 and ESP32 (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
