- What is MicroPython
- Installing Micropython on ESP8266
- Using the Python REPL prompt
- Using MicroPython
- WebREPL
- CircuitPython
- Revert to NodeMCU
- Sources
MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python 3 programming language that includes a small subset of the Python standard library and is optimised to run on microcontrollers and in constrained environments.
Download MicroPython latest firmware (.bin file) from MicroPython downloads.
Download NodeMCU PyFlasher from releases page (works for windows and mac).
NodeMCU PyFlasher doesn't have to be installed, just double-click it and it'll start. Select serial port form list, and MicroPython firmware (.bin file) on your computer. Then click Flash NodeMCU button. (NodeMCU PyFlasher was designed with NodeMCU in mind but it does a great job flashing MicroPython on esp8266 boards.)
Launch Arduino, set the port of your board and open the Serial monitor.
Set line ending on NL and CR and baudrate on 115200 baud.
You should be presented with a MicroPython prompt and can now run some MicroPython code on your ESP8266.
Let’s make sure it is working with the obligatory test: type print("hello pyboard!") and press [ENTER].
You've successfully installed MicroPython on your board, congrats! Let's dig in a bit more.
Keep the Serial monitor open and type:
import machine # this will add access to hardware
You can get info on any command by typing help(cmd) ie: help(machine)
import machine
led = machine.Pin( 0, machine.Pin.OUT )
led.on()
led.off
machine — functions related to the hardware
Instead of using Serial, we can control our board via a web interface:
-
Type
import webrepl_setupin order to start the WebREPL daemon on startup. -
Type
Eto enable on boot, then type a password, finally typeyto reboot your board.
-
We can now see a new SSID being broadcast from our board.
-
Download the webREPL files here and extract them, then open up webrepl.html
-
Connect to the Micropython SSID with the micropythoN password. Be careful, you'll lose internet connectivity at this point!
-
Open up webrepl.html from the webREPL files. You should see the ws://192.168.4.1:8266/ address by default in the connect window. Click
connect, and enter the password you set earlier. You now have access to your Micropython-enabled ESP8266 board via wifi!
import machine
import time
led = machine.Pin( 0, machine.Pin.OUT )
while( True ):
led.on()
time.sleep( 0.5 )
led.off()
time.sleep( 0.5 )
You can escape from this loop by hitting [Ctrl]+[C]
Adafruit is releasing a different flavor of MicroPython named CircuitPython. You can find documentation here:
If you want to revert your board to NodeMCU, latest firmware updates can be found on github: nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware.
And you can get a build here by simply entering your email and click Start your build.