https:\/\/thonny.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n2.<\/strong> Download the version for Mac OS X and wait a few seconds while it downloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.<\/strong> Open the .dmg<\/em> file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.<\/strong> Drag the “Thonny” application to your Desktop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.<\/strong> Thonny IDE is now installed and you can double-click to open it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.<\/strong> After the installation is completed, open Thonny IDE. A window as shown in the following figure should open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C) Installing Thonny IDE – Linux<\/h3>\n\n\n\n To install Thonny on your Linux computer, it depends on your Linux distribution and version, follow the next instructions for your system. First, we recommend installing these dependencies: python3, python3-pip, and python3-tk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re in Ubuntu, you can install the Python dependencies like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-tk<\/pre>\n\n\n\nAfter having Python3, pip3, and Python3 Tkinter, you can install Thonny IDE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nUbuntu (after running that command, you’ll need to press Enter again to install the software):<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nbash <(wget -O - https:\/\/thonny.org\/installer-for-linux)<\/pre>\n\n\n\n \nOr you can install Thonny IDE with pip3:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nsudo pip3 install thonny<\/pre>\n\n\n\n \nFedora since 27:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nsudo dnf install thonny<\/pre>\n\n\n\n \nRaspbian since Stretch (installed by default):<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nsudo apt install python3-thonny<\/pre>\n\n\n\nAfter installing Thonny IDE and depending on your installation method, to open Thonny IDE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nYou either need go to the search bar and type “Thonny” to find it<\/li>\n\n\n\n Or if you installed Thonny IDE using pip3, you can type in your terminal window:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nthonny<\/pre>\n\n\n\nThen, it should open Thonny IDE:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
Flashing MicroPython Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n MicroPython isn\u2019t flashed onto the ESP32 or ESP8266 boards by default. The first thing you need to do to start programming your boards with MicroPython is flash\/upload\/burn the firmware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are different ways in which you can do that. Thonny IDE comes with a tool that allows you to quickly install MicroPython firmware on your board. That’s the method we’ll use in this tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note<\/strong>: flashing your boards with MicroPython is reversible. This means that after you flash the ESP32\/ESP8266 with MicroPython, you can still use Arduino IDE in the future. You just need to upload a code using the Arduino IDE to your board.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFlashing MicroPython Firmware using Thonny IDE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In this section, you\u2019ll learn how to flash MicroPython firmware on your boards using Thonny IDE. Follow the next steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1)<\/strong> Connect your ESP32 or ESP8266 board to your computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2)<\/strong> Open Thonny IDE. Go to Tools <\/strong>> Options <\/strong>> Interpreter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3)<\/strong> Select the interpreter you want to use accordingly to the board you’re using and select the COM port your board is connected to. Finally, click on the link Install or update MicroPython<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) <\/strong>Then, select the port once again, the board you\u2019re using, and the variant. It will automatically pick up the most recent MicroPython firmware version\u2014see the screenshot below. Finally, you can click Install<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note<\/strong>: On some ESP8266 boards, you may need to try different options for the Flash mode<\/strong> and select detect <\/em>for the Flash size<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAfter a few seconds, the installation should be completed. If you\u2019re using an ESP32, you may need to press the BOOT button for a few seconds after clicking the Install <\/em>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5) When the installation is completed, you can close the window. You should get the following message on the Shell (see the picture below), and at the bottom right corner, it should have the Interpreter it\u2019s using and the COM port.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
Troubleshooting:<\/strong>Tools <\/strong>> Options <\/strong>> Interpreter <\/strong>and select the COM port manually. After that, it should recognize the MicroPython device, and you should get the previous message.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe REPL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You should also see the >>> <\/strong>symbol (if you don\u2019t, click on the Stop <\/strong>icon at the top).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis symbol represents the MicroPython REPL (Read-Eval-Print-Loop) prompt. This symbol means you\u2019re interacting with MicroPython (the board with MicroPython firmware installed) in interactive mode in real time. This simply means that you can enter and execute commands directly. Let\u2019s test it in the next section<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testing the Installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Important: <\/strong>before testing the installation, your ESP32\/ESP8266 board needs to be flashed with MicroPython firmware (see the previous step).<\/p>\n\n\n\nType help()<\/span> in the Shell after the prompt >>> <\/strong>and see if your device responds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It should print some useful information about programming your board using MicroPython.
>> print('Hello')<\/pre>\n\n\n\nIt should print Hello <\/strong>on the Shell right after you enter the command.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can also run the following commands successively on the Shell after the prompt (>>><\/strong>) one at a time to turn on the ESP32\/ESP8266 built-in LED.<\/p>\n\n\n\n>>> from machine import Pin<\/pre>\n\n\n\n>>> led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re using an ESP32, turn the onboard LED as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>>> led.value(1)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re using an ESP8266, the built-in LED works with inverted logic. So, you turn it on as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>>> led.value(0)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe on-board LED should light up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, you can turn off the built-in LED. On the ESP32, run the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>>> led.value(0)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nAnd like this for the ESP8266:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>>> led.value(1)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nIf everything is working as expected, it means you have successfully installed Thonny IDE, as well as MicroPython firmware on your ESP32 or ESP8266 boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thonny IDE Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n At this point, you should have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThonny IDE installed on your computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n ESP32\/ESP8266 flashed with MicroPython firmware<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOpen Thonny IDE. There are two different sections: the Editor<\/strong> and the MicroPython Shell\/Terminal<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Editor<\/strong> section is where you write your code and edit your .py<\/em> files. You can open more than one file, and the Editor will open a new tab for each file.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn the MicroPython Shell<\/strong>, you can type commands to be executed immediately by your ESP board without the need to upload new files. The terminal also provides information about the state of an executing program, shows errors related to the uploading process, syntax errors, prints messages, etc\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nYou can also customize Thonny IDE to show other useful tabs. Go to View,<\/strong> and you can select several tabs that provide more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something that could be very useful is the Variables<\/strong> tab. It lists all available variables in your program and their corresponding values.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRunning Your First Script – Blinking an LED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n To get you familiar with the process of writing a file and executing code on your ESP32\/ESP8266 boards, we\u2019ll upload a new script that simply blinks the on-board LED of your ESP32 or ESP8266.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you open Thonny IDE for the first time, the Editor shows an untitled file. Copy the following script to that file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
from machine import Pin\nfrom time import sleep\nled = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)\nwhile True:\n led.value(not led.value())\n sleep(0.5)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nRunning the Script<\/h3>\n\n\n\n To run that script on your board, simply click on the Run <\/strong>icon in Thonny IDE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The on-board LED will start blinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To stop the execution of the program, you can hit the STOP button or simply press CTRL<\/strong>+C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Running your Code Automatically<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Just running the file with Thonny doesn\u2019t copy it permanently to the ESP32 or ESP8266 filesystem. This means that if you unplug it from your computer and apply power to the board, nothing will happen because it doesn\u2019t have any MicroPython file saved on its filesystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Thonny IDE Run function is useful to test the code, but if you want to upload it permanently to your board, you need to create and save a file to the board’s filesystem. Let\u2019s see how to do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uploading Code to the ESP32\/ESP8266 Boards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Stop the execution of the previous program by clicking on the Stop button if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1)<\/strong> With the code copied to the file, click on the Save<\/strong> icon or go to File<\/strong> > Save as\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2)<\/strong> Then, select MicroPython device<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3)<\/strong> Name the file main.py<\/span>, otherwise, it will not run automatically on the ESP32 or ESP8266.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notice that the window that pops up shows the files currently saved on the board’s filesystem. There should be a file called boot.py<\/span>. That file is created by default when you burn MicroPython firmware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4)<\/strong> Finally, click Ok <\/strong>to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant: <\/strong> when you name a file main.py, the ESP will run that file automatically on boot (when it starts). If you call it a different name, it will still be saved on the board filesystem, but it will not run automatically on boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5)<\/strong> Now, press the on-board RST\/EN button so that the board restarts and starts running the code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6)<\/strong> Now, your board should be blinking the blue on-board LED every 500 milliseconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe following figure shows the ESP32 on-board LED light up.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
And the following figure shows the ESP8266.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
After saving the file, you can remove and apply power again to the board, or you can even power it using a different power supply that is not your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notice that the board will automatically start blinking the LED when you apply power to it. This means the main.py<\/span> file was successfully uploaded to the board and that it is running that file automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCongratulations! You\u2019ve just written and uploaded your first MicroPython script to your ESP32\/ESP8266 board<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Troubleshooting Tips for Thonny IDE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n We’ve discovered some common problems and error messages that occur with Thonny IDE. Usually restarting your ESP with the on-board EN\/RST button fixes your problem. Or press the Thonny IDE “Stop\/Restart backend<\/strong>” button and repeat your desired action. In case it doesn\u2019t work for you, read these next common errors and discover how to solve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nError #1:<\/strong> You get one of the following messages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n========================= RESTART =========================\nUnable to connect to COM4\nError: could not open port 'COM4': FileNotFoundError(2, 'The system cannot find the file specified.', None, 2)\n\nCheck the configuration, select Run \u2192 Stop\/Restart or press Ctrl+F2 to try again. (On some occasions it helps to wait before trying again.)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nOr:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
========================= RESTART =========================\nCould not connect to REPL.\nMake sure your device has suitable firmware and is not in bootloader mode!\nDisconnecting.<\/pre>\n\n\n\nOr:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
========================= RESTART =========================\nLost connection to the device (EOF).<\/pre>\n\n\n\nUnplug and plug back your ESP board. Then, double-check that you’ve selected the right serial port in the Tools<\/strong> > Options<\/strong> > Interpreter<\/strong> > Port<\/strong>. Then, click the “Stop\/Restart backend<\/strong>” button to establish a serial communication. You should now be able to upload a new script or re-run new code.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese errors might also mean that you have your serial port being used by another program (like a serial terminal or in the Arduino IDE). Double-check that you’ve closed all the programs that might be establishing a serial communication with your ESP board. Then, unplug and plug back your ESP board. Finally, restart Thonny IDE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Error #2:<\/strong> Thonny IDE fails to respond or gives an Internal Error:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen this happens, you can usually close that window, and it will continue to work. If it keeps crashing, we recommend restarting the Thonny IDE software.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
Error #3:<\/strong> Thonny IDE hangs when pressing “
![\"Getting](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Thonny-IDE-ESP32-ESP8266-Getting-Started.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"micorpython](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/micropython-logo.png?resize=250%2C250&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Donwload](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/download-thonny-ide-for-windows.png?resize=712%2C729&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Installing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Installing-Thonny-IDE-Windows.png?resize=499%2C392&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/opening-thonny-ide.png?resize=688%2C617&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/1-Allow-Apps-to-run-Mac-OS-X-uPyCraft-IDE.png?resize=235%2C262&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/2-Allow-Apps-to-run-Security-Privacy-Mac-OS-X-uPyCraft-IDE.png.png?resize=670%2C598&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/3-Allow-Apps-to-run-unlock-computer-Mac-OS-X-uPyCraft-IDE.png.png?resize=670%2C544&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/4-Allow-Apps-to-run-unlock-computer-Mac-OS-X-uPyCraft-IDE.png.png?resize=445%2C232&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/5-Allow-Apps-to-run-from-anywhere-computer-Mac-OS-X-uPyCraft-IDE.png.png?resize=669%2C542&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Download](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/download-thonny-ide-for-mac.png?resize=712%2C729&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-downloading-thonny-ide-mac-os-x.png?resize=172%2C248&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/1-installing-thonny-ide-mac-os-x.png?resize=500%2C303&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/2-installing-thonny-ide-mac-os-x.png?resize=279%2C226&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/3-open-thonny-ide-mac-os-x-1.png?resize=727%2C651&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/linux-thonny.png?resize=720%2C646&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Thonny-IDE-Interpreter-Install-Update-Firmware.png?resize=560%2C558&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Install](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Install-MicroPython-Thonny-IDE-esptool.png?resize=560%2C550&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thonny-ide-micropython-installed-on-ESP32.png?resize=688%2C617&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"ESP32](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ESP32-help-command-thonny-ide.png?resize=651%2C582&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"print](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/print-hello-esp32-micropython-shell.png?resize=306%2C69&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ESP32-board-Built_in-LED-turned-on-HIGH.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"ESP8266](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ESP8266-blinking-LED.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/thonny-ide-Copy.png?resize=768%2C609&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/thonny-view.png?resize=621%2C544&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Blink](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/blink-led-script-thonny-ide.png?resize=642%2C364&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thonny-ide-stop-button.png?resize=29%2C28&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thonny-ide-save-button.png?resize=26%2C31&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/save-micropython-device-thonny-ide.png?resize=220%2C202&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/save-main-py-thonny-device.png?resize=553%2C409&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ESP8266-blinking-LED.jpg?resize=750%2C421&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/thonny-ide-internal-error.png?resize=551%2C296&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n