ESP32 programming (1/8): Board intro, Arduino IDE setup & Blink

Beginner Arduino ESP32 course — Part 1/8 (~25 min)
Running case study: SmartNode — WiFi IoT node for lights and sensors.
Roadmap: Learn Arduino ESP32 from scratch · Hub: 8-part course
Next: Part 2 — GPIO & buttons

No embedded background required — breadboard patience helps.

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Table of contents

1. What is ESP32?
2. Minimum parts
3. Install Arduino IDE + esp32 core
4. Blink sketch
5. Serial Monitor
6. Exercises

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What is ESP32?

Espressif ESP32: dual-core MCU, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPIO, 12-bit ADC, PWM, I2C/SPI/UART. The Arduino-esp32 core gives familiar APIs for IoT projects.

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Minimum parts

ESP32 DevKit, USB cable, LED + 220–330Ω resistor, breadboard, jumper wires.

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Install Arduino IDE + esp32 core

1. Install Arduino IDE 2.
2. Add board URL: https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json
3. Boards Manager → install esp32 by Espressif.
4. Select ESP32 Dev Module and the correct Port.

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Blink sketch

#define LED_PIN 2
void setup() { pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); }
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
  delay(500);
}

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Serial Monitor

Use Serial.begin(115200) and Serial.println for debugging — essential for WiFi projects later.

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Exercises

1. Change timing to 200 ms ON / 800 ms OFF.
2. Count blinks on Serial.
3. Move LED to GPIO 4 and verify your board pinout.

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Series navigation: Part 2 →