![\"Program](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Program-ESP32-ESP8266-Boards-MicroPython-using-VS-Code-Pymakr.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe’ve experimented with several IDEs to program the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards with MicroPython. All IDES have advantages and disadvantages. In our opinion, this option works the best with fewer bugs when compared to other IDEs. However, it might be an overwhelming task getting used to VS Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve never used VS Code, it might be a little difficult getting started. If you find that this option is very advanced, you might consider using simpler IDEs like Thonny IDE<\/a> and uPyCraft IDE<\/a> to program your boards with MicroPython:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1)<\/strong> To properly follow this tutorial, you need a device with micropython firmware<\/strong>. Follow one of the next tutorials to flash micropython firmware on the ESP32 or ESP8266 boards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n * this option is easier, but requires that you install uPyCraft IDE software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2)<\/strong> You need to install VS Code on your computer. Follow one of the next sections if you need to install VS Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3)<\/strong> Then, follow the instructions to set up Pymakr, connect a MicroPython device and run your first project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to https:\/\/code.visualstudio.com\/<\/a> and download the stable build for your operating system (Windows).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click on the installation wizard to start the installation and follow all the steps to complete the installation. Accept the agreement and press the Next <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select the following options and click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Press the Install <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, click Finish <\/strong>to finish the installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open VS Code and you\u2019ll be greeted by a Welcome tab with the released notes of the newest version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s it. Visual Studio Code was successfully installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to https:\/\/code.visualstudio.com\/<\/a> and download the stable build for your operating system (Mac OS X).<\/p>\n\n\n\n After downloading the Visual Studio Code application file, you’ll be prompted with the following message. Press the “Open<\/strong>” button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or open your Downloads folder and open Visual Studio Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After that, you\u2019ll be greeted by a Welcome tab with the released notes of the newest version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s it. Visual Studio Code was successfully installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to https:\/\/code.visualstudio.com\/<\/a> and download the stable build for your operating system (Linux Ubuntu).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Save the installation file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To install it, open a Terminal windows, navigate to your Downloads folder and run the following command to install VS Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the installation is finished, VS Code should be available in your applications menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open VS Code and you\u2019ll be greeted by a Welcome tab with the released notes of the newest version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s it. Visual Studio Code was successfully installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this section, we’ll install the Pymakr extension on VS Code. This extension allows you to communicate to your MicroPython devices using the build-in command-line REPL. It provides a UI with buttons to run a single file to your board, sync your entire project or directly type and execute commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To use Pymakr extension on VS Code, you need node.js installed on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to the node.js website Home<\/a> or Downloads<\/a> page and install node.js on your operating system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1)<\/strong> Open VS Code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2)<\/strong> Click on the Extensions <\/strong>icon to navigate to the Extensions <\/strong>page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3)<\/strong> Search for Pymakr<\/span> and install it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pymakr extension is now installed on VS Code. The Pymakr Console will open, and you should have new commands at the bottom bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the new commands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select All commands:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This menu opens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, Pymakr will automatically open the pymakr.json<\/span> file. You should edit that file to connect a MicroPython device (for example: your ESP32 or ESP8266 with the MicroPython firmware flashed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong> if the pymakr.json<\/span> file doesn’t open automatically, go to All Commands<\/strong> (at the bottom bar) and then select Pymakr <\/strong>> Global Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This opens the pymakr.json<\/span> file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pymakr has a list of USB devices that it will connect to. You need to make sure that your device is on the list in the pymakr.json<\/span> configuration file. You need to add the USB Manufacturer that the device uses to connect to the PC. In our case, both the ESP32 and ESP8266 use the Silicon Labs USB<\/strong> drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find which drivers your board uses, open your computer’s Devices Manager (with the board connected to your computer) and search for connected USB devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the Device Manager, you can also check which COM port is being used by the device. In our case, it is COM3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, edit the file to add the Silicon Labs<\/strong> manufacturer (or other) to the autoconnect_comport_manufacturers<\/span> section. Then, save the file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After saving the file with the previous settings, you also need to set the COM port your board is connected to. Pymakr has the ability to automatically find your COM port (it may not work for some users).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For automatic connect, let the address<\/span> setting empty, and set the auto_connect<\/span> to true<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In my case, it was able to detect the COM port automatically (a \u2713 shows up next to the Pymakr Console button).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your board doesn’t connect automatically, you need to change the address<\/span> section with the COM port of your board. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find the board COM port, you can click on All Commands<\/strong> and select Pymakr <\/strong>> Extra <\/strong>> List Serial Ports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To use a predefined COM port, you also need to set the auto_connect<\/span> parameter to false<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Save the pymakr.json<\/span> configuration file (CTRL<\/strong>+S<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n After saving the file, Pymakr will automatically detect your board (a \u2713 will show up next to the Pymakr Console button). If that doesn’t happen, toggle the Pymakr Console<\/strong> button to try to do it manually. If nothing happens, we recommend restarting VS Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Type help()<\/span> on the Terminal window after the prompt (>>><\/span>) and see your board responding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s it! Pymakr was successfully installed on VS Code and you successfully connected a MicroPython device. Follow the next section to learn how to create, save and upload a project to your board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow this section to learn how to create a MicroPython Project on VS Code using Pymakr to program your ESP32 and ESP8266 boards. As an example, we’ll upload a code to blink the on-board LED (GPIO 2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) First, connect an ESP32 or ESP8266 board with micropython firmware installed to your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Create a folder for your project. For example: blink<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) Open VS Code. Pymakr will automatically try to connect to your board. If it doesn’t do that, go to the Extensions <\/strong>menu and open the Pymakr extension. Additionally, double-check that you’ve edited the pymakr.json<\/span> file with the right configurations to connect to your board. See Connecting a MicroPython Device to Pymakr<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4) Then, go to File <\/strong>> Open Folder<\/strong> and select the folder you’ve just created. Every MicroPython project should have two files: main.py<\/em> and boot.py<\/em>. Create those files in the project folder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this section, we’ll upload a simple code that blinks the on-board LED. For this reason, you don’t need to copy anything to the boot.py<\/em> file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copy the following code to the main.py<\/em> file. It blinks the on-board LED every half a second.<\/p>\n\n\nGetting Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A) Installing VS Code on Windows (Visual Studio Code)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/1-Download-VS-Studio-Code.jpg?resize=1012%2C682&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2-Install-VS-Code.png?resize=598%2C464&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-Install-VS-Code.png?resize=598%2C464&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/4-Install-VS-Code.png?resize=598%2C464&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-Install-VS-Code.png?resize=598%2C464&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/VS-Code-Welcome-Screen.png?resize=1033%2C770&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nB) Installing VS Code on Mac OS X (Visual Studio Code)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-download-Mac-OS-X.png?resize=1167%2C592&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-save-file.png?resize=487%2C158&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/4-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-file-downloaded-Mac-OS-X.png?resize=214%2C140&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/6-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-installed.png?resize=1024%2C767&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nC) Installing VS Code on Linux Ubuntu (Visual Studio Code)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-downloading-VS-Code-Linux-Ubuntu.png?resize=961%2C438&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/4-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-downloading-VS-Code-Linux-Ubuntu.png?resize=495%2C350&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n$ cd Downloads\n~\/Downloads $ sudo apt install .\/code_1.49.1-1600299189_amd64.deb<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-run-VS-Code-Linux-Ubuntu.png?resize=516%2C326&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/6-Getting-Started-VS-Code-PlatformIO-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-downloading-VS-Code-Linux-Ubuntu-Testing.png?resize=1024%2C632&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nInstalling Pymakr Extension on VS Code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prerequisites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Installing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/install-node-js-windows.png?resize=495%2C387&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nInstalling Pymakr Plugin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Vs](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/VS-Code-Extensions.png?resize=47%2C49&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Install](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Install-Pymakr-VS-Code-Micropython.png?resize=957%2C429&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Install](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MicroPython-VS-Code-Installing-PyMakr-extension-settings-file-terminal.png?resize=1200%2C650&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Install](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Pymakr-commands-VS-Code.png?resize=576%2C66&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Pymakr](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-all-commands-open.png?resize=540%2C32&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Install](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/all-commands-pymakr.png?resize=760%2C408&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nConnecting a MicroPython Device to Pymakr<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"pymakr](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-global-settings.png?resize=393%2C358&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Connecting](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-configuration-file.png?resize=900%2C665&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"ESP32](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Device-Manager-USB-Drivers-ESP32.png?resize=408%2C455&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\"autoconnect_comport_manufacturers\": [\n \"Pycom\",\n \"Pycom Ltd.\",\n \"FTDI\",\n \"Microsoft\",\n \"Microchip Technology, Inc.\",\n \"Silicon Labs\"\n<\/strong>]<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nSelecting the COM port<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"address\": \"\",<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n\"auto_connect\": true,<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n\"address\": \"COM3<\/strong>\",<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"pymakr](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-extra-list-serial-ports.png?resize=417%2C351&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\"auto_connect\": false<\/strong>,<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"Edit](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-configuration-file-connection-settings-select-com-port.png?resize=490%2C582&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Pymakr](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/board-connected-Pymakr-micropython-vs-code.png?resize=782%2C145&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nhelp()<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"Pymakr](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pymakr-ESP32-help-command-terminal.png?resize=837%2C715&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nESP32\/ESP8266 Creating a MicroPython Project on VS Code + Pymakr<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"VS](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MicroPython-project-pymakr-boot-main.png?resize=825%2C530&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n# Complete project details at https:\/\/RandomNerdTutorials.com\/micropython-programming-with-esp32-and-esp8266\/\n\nfrom machine import Pin\nfrom time import sleep\n\nled = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)\n\nwhile True:\n led.value(not led.value())\n sleep(0.5)\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\t
![\"VS](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/blink-LED-pymakr-vs-code-esp32-esp8266.png?resize=825%2C530&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"VS](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Pymakr-upload-command.png?resize=82%2C25&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"ESP32](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/ESP32-board-Built_in-LED-turned-on-HIGH.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n