ESP8266 NodeMCU IDE
Three Different IDE’s are available from NodeMCU ESP8266 Platform
- ESPlorer
- Lua Loader
- ESP8266 Web File Manager
- ESP-IDF
This ESP8266 NodeMCU IDE tutorial Only discussed ESPlorer, You can use this ESPlorer tool as a UART Terminal Application. You can send and receive the data in terminal windows like Putty, DockLight
ESPlorer IDE
- ESPlorer is Java-based a wonderful user interface IDE for developers of (ESP8266 chips) NodeMCU, MycroPython, AT-Based, RN2483 development.
- It’s fully written in Java.
GUI of ESPlorer IDE
Getting Started with ESPlorer IDE
First Watch this Video tutorial
Step to Follow
- Open ESPlorer IDE
- The serial port chooser may be blank When ESPlorore initially.
- Click Scan system for available serial port
- Plug your ESP866 Programmer Setup with your computer
- Now click, Scan System for available serial port
- Check if the ‘COM’ port is enabled or not in the Device Manager on the PC, especially when the COM Port is not detected.
- Open Device Manager(Windows + X)Check COM Port is enabled
- If not enabled check the resonIf enabled note that COM port number and again scan in ESPlorer IDE.
If COM Port detected then it will shows that COM port number.
- Open Device Manager(Windows + X)Check COM Port is enabled
- Check if the ‘COM’ port is enabled or not in the Device Manager on the PC, especially when the COM Port is not detected.
- Select correct Baud rate (try 9600,57600, 115200)
- “Open” Select Serial Port
- Showing “PORT OPEN 9600” (eg Buad rate :9600)
- showing “Communication with MCU..“
- now try any library functions
- Eg: node.heap(), node.chipid()
ESPlorer FAQ
ESPlorer Troubleshooting Guide
How to Download and install the ESPlorer IDE
- This IDE run all machines of Windows (x86,x64), Mac OS X(x86, x86-64, PPC, PPC64), Linux(x86, x86-64, ARM soft & hard float) and Solaris(x86, x86-64).
- Pr-request to install the java latest version in your machine
- Download IDE here
- You don’t need to install the ESPlorer IDE in your machine. you need just to run the application of ESPlorer executable file. This IDE is created as an application based on Java.
What communication method is using ESPlorer IDE with ESP8266?
- This ESPlorer IDE establishes a serial UART communication with ESP8266 NodeMCU Supported Boards.
- Send the commands like NodeMCU functions call , AT commands, upload your code into ESP8266 via serial UART Communications.
What is the UART baud rate should set in ESPlorer IDE?
- Mostly ESPlorer IDE Communicating ESP8266 with 9600, 57600, 115200,
How to upload lua file to ESP8266 using ESPlorer?
- Click “Upload” button in “Script” tab of “NodeMCU & MicroPython” tab section
- Select file need to upload , Eg : ArunEworld.lua
- Double click the file or click “open button” in popup window
- You can see this message in terminal windows, if file upload success Uploading to ESP file init.lua…Success
Note : Make sure you uploaded file is in the list(click “Reload” button in file manager panel at right side)and list out ESP8266 files)
How “Run” or dofile(File_Name) in ESP-8266 using ESplore IDE? or How to “run” the “NodeMCU Lua” file in ESP-8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- Select the file you want to “run” or “dofile”
- Right click the mouse and click run file_”file_name” or click on the file
View the NodeMCU Lua file’s list in ESP-8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
function()
local k,v,l
print("~~~File ".."list START~~~")
for k,v in pairs(file.list()) do
l = string.format("%-15s",k)
print(l.." : "..v.." bytes")
end print("~~~File ".."list END~~~")
endHow to view the NodeMCU Lua list of files info in ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
Check command :
r,u,t=file.fsinfo()
print("Total : "..t.." bytes\r\nUsed : "..u.." bytes\r\nRemain: "..r.." bytes\r\n")
r=nil u=nil t=nil
Ouputs (Eg)
> Total : 3384986 bytes Used : 0 bytes Remain: 3384986 bytes
Download the NodeMCU Lua file to ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- We will add the answer soon
How to compile the NodeMCU Lua file to ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- We will add the answer soon
Remove the NodeMCU Lua file in ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- We will add the answer soon
How to rename the NodeMCU Lua file in ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- We will add the answer soon
How to format or erase NodeMCU files in ESP8266 using ESPlorer IDE?
- Format(erase) NodeMCU files system. All files will be removed.
What is difference between “AEW_Blink.lua” file and “AEW_Blink.lc” file?
- The Answer will be added soon
ESPlorer Troubleshoot
file not upload?
- if file contains nothing or data not there inside, its should not upload, and show status “BUSY“
Not Enough memory?
E:M 80 PANIC: unprotected error in call to Lua API (not enough memory)
- Moreover, the ESP8266 will get an error when you continuously print something or continuously run a function.
Communicating with MCU?
- It’s not a error. its a status, try some NodeMCU library function further [Ex: node.heap()]
- Try different baud rate [9600, 57600, 115200]
COM Port Not Detected
- Check your USB to TTL/Serial Programmer connection
- Make Sure COM port is Enabled in [Windows + X] Device manager (if Disabled do manually install the driver)
Could not find the main class. ESPlorer cant run program will exit
- Please install or reinstall java SE version 7 and above.
Can’t auto-detect firmware, because proper answer not received (may be unknown firmware).
Getting something chunk like this ëÕ½ou}¯íë=nogy‰«ax(©íê=ëë—.låax(©íê
- Please change correct baud rate of UART (try : 9600, 57600, 115200)
- Check the UART Connection TX, RX pins
Can’t close the serial COM port in ESPlorer IDE
- ESPlorer was hanged. So stop that service and reopen the IDE.




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