Add ESP Boards to the IDE
Install the board package and select the chip.
Add ESP Boards to the IDE is a free Arduino & IoT Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Arduino & IoT Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
The IDE Needs a Hint
Out of the box, the Arduino IDE only knows Arduino boards. To flash an ESP chip, you first teach the IDE where to find it. 🧩
Board Manager URLs
ESP support arrives through a Board Manager URL. It is a web link that tells the IDE where the board files live online.
Open Preferences
Start in File > Preferences. Near the bottom you will find the box labeled Additional Boards Manager URLs.
Paste the ESP32 URL
For the ESP32, paste Espressif's official package URL into that box. It points straight at the latest board definitions.
https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.jsonESP8266 Has Its Own
Using an ESP8266 instead? It needs a different URL. You can list several in the box, separated by commas, and keep both.
http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.jsonOpen Boards Manager
Now go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager. This is the catalog where every installable board package shows up.
Search for Your Chip
Type esp32 or esp8266 into the search field. The matching package appears, ready for you to install with one click.
Click Install
Press Install and wait. The IDE downloads the compiler and tools for your chip, which can take a minute on the first run.
Find Your Board in the List
After it finishes, reopen Tools > Board. A fresh section now lists your ESP boards alongside the classic Arduino ones.
Select the Exact Model
Pick the precise model, like ESP32 Dev Module or NodeMCU. Choosing the wrong variant is a top cause of upload failures.
Verify It Compiles
Open a blank sketch and hit Verify. If it compiles for your ESP, the toolchain installed correctly and you are ready to upload.
void setup() {}
void loop() {}Quick Check
Where do you paste the ESP package link so the IDE can find the board?
Recap
You added the ESP Board Manager URL in Preferences, installed the package, and selected your exact chip. The IDE now speaks ESP. 🎉
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Add ESP Boards to the IDE” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Add ESP Boards to the IDE” is free to read here on the web, and the Arduino & IoT Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Arduino & IoT Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Add ESP Boards to the IDE”?
Install the board package and select the chip. You practise Arduino & IoT Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Arduino & IoT Academy?
No prior experience is required. Arduino & IoT Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Add ESP Boards to the IDE” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Arduino & IoT Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Arduino & IoT Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Why ESP32 & ESP8266 for IoT
- Add ESP Boards to the IDE
- Connect to WiFi in Station Mode
- Run an Access Point Setup Page