ESP32 - How to create your First ESP IDF project (From Scratch)

Learn how to set up your first ESP IDF project using Visual Studio Code, from scratch. We will build a simple example using GPIOs to learn the basics of IDF and how to navigate through the code and documentation.
We will also learn how to use the menuconfig, a very helpful tool to configure the main settings for our project.
If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe :)
❗❗❗ IMPORTANT ❗❗❗
⚠️How to configure your IDF terminal inside Visual Studio code: • ESP32 - Getting Starte...
You will need this for this video.
** Regarding CMAKE **
For a list of reserved words to avoid in your project name, type the following in the IDF terminal:
cmake --help-command-list
cmake --help-variable-list
cmake --help-property-list
▶️ How to Debug your ESP32:
• ESP32 - DEBUGGING your...
✅ ESP32 Board Links (Affiliate)
✔ Amazon (Faster shipping)
ESP32 Board - amzn.to/3weY6SA
Debugger ESP-PROG (Recommended): amzn.to/3ENsSDy
Debugger FT2232H Generic : amzn.to/3B1Bxjp
Debugger FT2232H Generic Dual Channel: amzn.to/3C0NG9G
✔ AliExpress (From China - Cheaper but slower shipping)
ESP32 Board - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AXDp1R
Debugger ESP-PROG (Recommended): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A9n4lJ
Debugger FT2232H Generic: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ap4yQt
Debugger FT2232H Generic Dual Channel: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9ycDvF
** Timestamps **
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Why use IDF?
01:17 Setting up the project
02:46 How to use Menuconfig
04:17 Configuring the main settings
06:12 Setting the Firmware version
06:42 Build folder run through
07:25 Coding Example
08:10 GPIO Driver
09:08 GPIO Input Config
10:19 GPIO Pull-up Config
11:06 GPIO Output Config
11:19 GPIO Reading the Input and Activating the Output
12:11 About the vTaskDelay()
12:49 Final Test
12:57 Outro

[@ViktorVano]

Good to see a tutorial that is NOT based on Arduino, but a proper C programming :) Great job.

[@YuriR]

Hi Viktor! Thank you, glad you liked it! :)

[@jsonslim]

But what is wrong with arduino?

[@ViktorVano]

@@jsonslim Arduino does not have a debugging capability nor have a full control of the MCU as you would have with a standard C/C++ development tools. Arduino is good for kids and hobbyists and not for a professional use.

[@Dazza_Doo]

@@ViktorVano However Arduino does give you the ability to use C++ and that's a huge win

[@ViktorVano]

@@Dazza_Doo there are other IDEs that give you the same option to use C or C++ or combine C and C++. But the best thing is when you have a debug options and be able to see live variables and step the program. I used Eclipse based IDEs and I like them.

[@peterh7575]

finally, someone tackling the mysteries of esp32

[@YuriR]

I know right? it was about time :)

[@ahmadghorbi4188]

This is one of the best tutorials that I have ever seen. The video teaches you how to learn and use the documentation. Indeed, he is teaching you how to fish instead of giving you a fish.

[@akmalnarendrasakti1634]

Hey Yuri, Thank you so much for your incredible explanation. Last year I was doing my bachelor thesis and struggled to understand the working of esp-idf. Finally, after I graduated I could understand more about this topic. Keep up your content man!

[@YuriR]

Hi Akmal! Thanks for watching and for sharing! I'm really glad it helped. Will continue making more videos soon :)

[@georgey084]

Last month I started exploration to ESP32 using ESP-IDF, and till today, this is the well explained tutorial on basics I've found. Good job Bro...

[@YuriR]

I am so glad you liked it! You're very welcome!

[@stryderx1]

Thank you. This is very great tutorial for hobbyists. Its complete and understadable. Please keep up your good work. Embedded programming is finally getting popular and our community will grow. Thanks!

[@YuriR]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it! Growing the community is very important, that is the goal!

[@user-rx6rh3yx4g]

Man, you are the great! The best tutorial for ESP32 I ever seen! Just simple and structured explanation. Appreciate your work!

[@23ZeuZ23]

Been looking for days for a video like this. Amazing how almost no one explains how to create a simple empty project.

[@YuriR]

Indeed! I'm trying to make it as easy as possible :) Thanks for watching

[@juanmartinguillen4876]

Great content man. Clear, concise explanations, good pace, 10/10. I hope you do good with your channel.

[@andresession2235]

You videos are great! Especially using the Espressif IDF! Please continue!

[@YuriR]

Thank you Andresession! Will continue soon :)

[@user-gc6bb1tk9h]

Great video! really looking forward to an esp32 full course.. finally, someone tackling the mysteries of esp32.

[@YuriR]

Hi there! Thanks for the comment. There so many things to cover in this microcontroller world, definitely a course is a great idea.

[@griciukas4668]

Thank you for putting out these videos! Information is straight forward, easy to follow. Looking forward for more :)

[@YuriR]

Thank you for the comment! Will post more videos soon! :)

[@alessiomatarazzo6765]

Never pressed the bell button for any channel I'm subscribed to, this is my first time. Very Very Very high quality explanation and editing of the video. thank you, I hope you'll keep going!!

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked them, producing the next one right now! :)

[@zhanweizhong3354]

Hi, Yuri. This is the clearest explanation video I have seen from KZbin. Thanks so much for your effort to share you knowledge with us in a really professional way. I am really looking forward for your future series on EPS32 chip development. 👍🥰

[@YuriR]

You're very welcome! Thank you for your kind words!

[@dhruvandangar8005]

Glad that you come again bro.

[@YuriR]

Thanks Dhruvan! Will keep them coming :)

[@MrBPeet]

Best onboarding video for any framework i have ever seen! Am learning several frameworks for embedded MCU programming for some years now. During that time i have watched many video tutorials and read many blogs/articles but there are so many sources that are confusing or one can not understand what the tutor is about to tell either because of speaking too fast or having really bad pronunciation. And learned 2 new tricks with VS Code i still did not know.

[@YuriR]

Thanks Pegacorn! I agree with you, there is a lot of confusing information around regarding embedded systems, I wanna try bringing more clarity to the topic as much as I can :) I'm glad you got some new tricks!

[@koeiekop1973]

Thank you for this tutorial, if I ever find the time I would love to learn how to work with the ESP IDF environment, and your video seems like the best start to do so!

[@YuriR]

Thanks for the comment! Glad it's helpful!

[@user-mm8ks7kl5s]

Your video is the most understandable one about the ESP-IDF. Many thanks for your sharing. Thank you again.

[@shivprakashyadav6906]

This is what I was looking for . Excellent content 👍

[@jackflash6377]

That my friends was a very helpful example for a newbie like me. Made my first project, pulled in some code I had made in another IDE and BOOM... Errors. The instructions on how to add the path to the json file did the trick. This time, BOOM. compiled without errors. Thank you.

[@YuriR]

That's fantastic to know! I'm glad to hear that it's still helpful. I'm working on the next one and it'll be ready soon.

[@guilhermeprado3190]

Yuri, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us!! Your videos are totally clear and objective, exactly as it should be! Congrats, and thanks again !! 🙏🏻👏🏻👊🏻

[@YuriR]

Hi Guilherme! Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@arturmagnus6674]

Thank you so much for this series, the videos are perfect, please keep working on the series!!! I was used to work with C2000 processor from Texas TI, but with this chip shortage it's been pretty hard to put the hands on one devellopment board for my projects. With your help i feel that porting my code to anothger 32bit processor it's possible!!! I was pretty unmotivated with my masters degree because of this, thank you for helping me.

[@linkpad6270]

Thanks! Great clear and concise explanation of creating an IDF project from scratch not many guides offer this.

[@juanestebanguevara9235]

Great video! really looking forward to an esp32 full course.

[@YuriR]

Thank you for the comment. I'm planning to working on it too, and it will be as good as what I am trying to deliver here. See in the next one.

[@crckdns]

that's an useful video! never have tried the IDF way yet! thanks :)

[@YuriR]

Hi crckdns, glad it helped! Give it a try! :) IDF usually appeals more towards people who want to develop more serious and advanced applications with the ESP32. Also usually wanting to become Firmware Engineers or already working on the field ✌️

[@tristanfirepro]

Thank you for the tutorial, this was very helpful!

[@joelrichard-foy4938]

I love your videos, they are very well done and we learn a lot from them. I look forward to your video on ESP32 and FreeRTOS.

[@YuriR]

Thank you Joel! Will be making more videos this year!

[@polderbert]

Super helpful. Great pace this video. And super helpful all the background explanation. You have a talent for making tutorials. Hope you receive more thanks $ 😉

[@lars-sorensen]

Yuri, you are a god. Thank you for you fantastic tutorials of extremely high quality! Looking forward to more!

[@YuriR]

Hi Lars, thank you so much for your kind words! Already working on the next videos :)

[@danielcarpio4302]

VERY VERY CLEAR AND HELPFUL TUTORIAL! Thanks man!

[@YuriR]

Glad you liked it!

[@gamingSlasher]

This is really next level education. Very nice.

[@chriskiwi9833]

Great content. Please do more!

[@wojciechwolek7162]

As always, I have found some valuable tips in yours videos.

[@YuriR]

Hi Wojciech Wolek, thank you, I'm glad they help :)

[@Fikusekk]

Great video!

[@kapdivyang]

Very nice with good detailing. Thanks for sharing.

[@YuriR]

Hi Divyang, thanks for the comment! :)

[@edsonbrusque]

Seus vídeos são ótimos Yuri. Me ajudaram muito. Obrigado mesmo.

[@rbclima]

Nicely done!!! You need to post more often. I'll recommend you to my students.

[@YuriR]

Thank you Prof. Rafael, working on the next video already :)

[@pawerapta9525]

Very good tutorial, you deserve a way more subscribers :)

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that! I'm glad you are enjoying and learning something useful in my videos. I am posting more soon! See you in the next one.

[@ZiclopDevices]

You make excellent tutorials. Thanks for sharing.

[@YuriR]

Thanks for watching!

[@isharaudayangawimalaweera3642]

Wonderful job. Very useful. Thank you very much for the great tutorial 😍

[@tascaqiu7112]

you teach me how to learn. thank you yuri.

[@marioortiz5482]

Thanks for your time sharing this excellent information.

[@JuampyMarconSK8]

Excellent content and very useful! Thank you very much! Keep it up!

[@YuriR]

WOW Fermelo thank you so much!! Thanks for the donation, I wasn't expecting that! More videos are definitely coming! Already working on the next one :) Thanks again for the support and the super thanks ✌️

[@abhaypardeshi2095]

@@YuriR waiting for new video!! ESP32 & also waiting for STM32 series.....😇

[@RaboSergOne]

It's COOL!!! Are you planning on making more videos? What is the theme of the next video(lesson)?

[@mortezapourmehdi]

Great, it is wonderful, this is really from scratch. thanks a lot

[@dannyshin1602]

Thank you for making this video, it is awesome. I am just waiting for your another upload.,

[@YuriR]

Thank you for your patience! Will be uploading more videos soon!

[@kyunghohong5534]

This is really good video. Thank you Yuri.

[@YuriR]

I'm glad you like it

[@itakagastonkitambala3918]

Hey Yuri, thanks for this amazing video. Please keep up with the good content. Please can you also make videos on how to integrate GUIs in a ESP32 project.

[@YuriR]

Thanks for the comment! That's a great suggestion! :)

[@FranLanderreche]

Wow, Yuri! This is great! I really enjoy the way you explain every little detail and reveal all the secrets! Thanks and looking forward for more videos from you. And I wonder if you have any course in Udemy or something like that?

[@YuriR]

Thank you Francisco! I'm glad you like the videos! I try to make it as easy to understand as possible :) Will be posting more soon! I don't have a course yet, but may be creating one real soon! ✌️

[@surajpatil5767]

Many Thanks for this video, keep making more videos love from 🇮🇳

[@YuriR]

Hi Suraj, Thank you so much! Will do :)

[@jonfs2000]

Thank you for good explanation & clear video presentation 👍👍

[@bztomato3131]

High level tutorial.

[@mustafamontaser4955]

Sir, Simply, YOU have made my day. Thanks very much

[@YuriR]

And you made my day with this comment! Thank you!

[@muhammadavivsabilalmujtahi7894]

thank you sir, best explanation, keep it going

[@heartminer5487]

It's 2023 and getting started with ESP takes soooooo many steps........

[@YuriR]

I know! There is no easy way to success 🙂

[@ef7811]

Wanna easy way? Well, work in Arduino IDE, lol

[@pokpikchan]

simple and cool tutorial

[@YuriR]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@infotechoverloaded721]

Great man

[@YuriR]

Thank you!

[@vladimirvacl4360]

Díky!

[@hbend1li]

thank you yuri your are great and your tutorial are useful and helpful again, we are waiting for your next video about freertos on esp32. 🥳

[@YuriR]

Hi Hamza, thanks again! Will start making content about FreeRTOS soon! ✌️

[@stormbytes]

Best ESP-IDF tutorial out there. Yuri have you considered making a paid course? You could even Kickstarter it!

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much for the comment. I'm gathering information about that, there are a lot to cover in the firmware universe. But for now, I will be making more KZbin videos and posting here soon. See you in the next one.

[@abdhammal9416]

It's a great job, thanks for your excellent quality video. I think there is a specific extension that makes life easier.

[@YuriR]

Hi Abd Hammal, thank you!

[@yenyuthnea631]

great to see this videos

[@YuriR]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Scwan15021983]

wow what a super nice tutorial love ur details and every littel infos ur doing a super job pls make much more videos thank you🙂

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it! Will keep doing more videos :)

[@carlosvidal3814]

Hi Yuri! Thank you so much for such a valuable video :). I see in the desciption of your channel that you work as a firmware engineer. Do you have any recommendation of books or online courses to learn embedded programming? (I have a bachelor in telecom engineering, would like to learn more of this field!)

[@yahmk3978]

Thank you!

[@YuriR]

No, thank you! 🙂

[@muhammadrayyanalvi6799]

great videos, please make more

[@YuriR]

Thanks, will do!

[@vigneshs6232]

Great video...Excellent quality....Very easily understandable....Have understood the core basics of ESP programming from this video....Hats off to you...Please do more videos like these.... Kind request .....Do at least one video on, How to implement a program to control ESP in Mesh protocol....Thanks...

[@YuriR]

Hi Vignesh, thank you so much for your kind words! An ESP Mesh video is in my todo list :)

[@vigneshs6232]

@@YuriR Eagerly waiting for that video Sir....Please do that as soon as possible..My kind request Sir...

[@cassiorodrigues800]

Dalheeeeeeee 🚀

[@ef7811]

Hey Yuri! Really enjoyed the tutorial. I wonder why did you stop making videos? 😢 I like how you explain everything.

[@polderbert]

Thanks!

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much Polderbert! I really appreciate the donation! :)

[@warchildcustomcreations]

I would love to see more content from you!! 👌. Any chance the Freertos video is still in the works?

[@BilalSatellite]

Good job sir 👍

[@YuriR]

Thank you! ✌️

[@mortezapourmehdi]

Please continue...

[@alexz2580]

Thank you Yuri for such a big help. Can you please make a video regarding BLE communication protocol, ADC and I2C communication with sensors?

[@YuriR]

Hi AleX, glad it helped! Thanks for the suggestions, will definitely make some videos about those topics soon!

[@engineer_nyasha]

You are legend

[@YuriR]

Thank you so much!✌️

[@JakeCrawfordOfficial]

Can you make a tutorial for how to use ESP IDF with AWS IoT? Love the videos! You are a great teacher.

[@YuriR]

Thank you! Great suggestion!

[@PattysLab]

Legend

[@mtraven23]

just a great explanation, I look forward to watching your other tutorials. Is it possible to get into the menuconfig stuff with a project already built in the arduino framework? I wrote it all in platformIO in vscode. bailing on all that arduino framework, at this point is intimidating. after watching your video, I'm excited to tackle a non-arudio framework, just not in the middle of it.

[@DynoRC]

can't thank you enough

[@farzanamjadi3071]

thank you

[@YuriR]

You're welcome!

[@konachatterjee2937]

Great clear video! Some questions: What are your thoughts on platformIO? There are a lot of adafruit and other 3rd party libraries, can you show some videos linking some of those in?

[@YuriR]

Hi Kona! Thank you! PlatformIO is also a good option, I'll make a video about it in the future. Definitely will be making a video about how to work with 3rd party libraries this year!

[@LarsMyghAndersen]

At first I couldn't get the 'Action Buttons' things to work. However having installed the extension (VsCode Action Buttons), it worked fine. Somehow I missed that step ;-)

[@YuriR]

Glad it worked! :)

[@TechiReel]

Thank you

[@YuriR]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@TechiReel]

Why you stopped uploading yuri? 1 and more year passed and only 4 uploads 🤔

[@SernickTV]

i need more of that stuff

[@YuriR]

Will be posting more videos soon! :)

[@SernickTV]

@@YuriR great, can't wait! finally some good tutorial on esp's not based on arduino, like my predecessors mentioned. keep up the good work!

[@just111ce]

Thank you Yuri for this powerfull video. If it possible, plz make a video about working with W5500. Thank you in advance!

[@YuriR]

Hi Dmitry! Thank you and thanks for the suggestion!

[@prashantmalla3094]

Thanks for this amazing video . Can you make videos on BLE .

[@YuriR]

Hi Prashant, thank you! Will be making a BLE video soon!

[@asmaeelhadouyousfi]

How did you solve the problem concerning the last libraries that did you include : freetos

[@jeffreydijkstra3391]

if I create a new project, VS code won't create a .vscode file with settings etc. is it hidden? or did you alter some settings? thanks in advance

[@buffplums]

Thank goodness a tutorial that doesnt use the bloody arduino IDE...never wanted to use Arduino was always a microchip guy and now Im learning to use an ESP32 chip from scratch, why the hell would I want to bugger about with bloody Arduino...rant over haha

[@nolawi802]

Thanks for the video! Is there a book about how to code using Espressif IDF?

[@kscheffer]

Note for macOS users: the command shown the action button to open menuconfig works only for Windows. To do the same under macOS configure the command like this: "command": "open -n -a Terminal --env CWD=${workspaceFolder} && osascript -e 'tell app \"Terminal\" to do script \"cd $CWD && get_idf && idf.py menuconfig\"'" This presumes that you have set the alias get_idf according to the installation instructions from Espressif.

[@YuriR]

Hi Kai, thanks for this! It's very helpful!

[@ronaldronald8819]

Thanks for this clear tutorial. For me this is next level esp programming. A deeper dive into the fascinating world of these marvelous devices. :)

[@YuriR]

Glad you enjoyed it! Programming like this may look intimidating in the beginning, but anyone can learn it, and the possibilities of what you can create with it are amazing indeed :)

[@joshinjoy123]

Great videos brother. Why is this much delay in making videos. I am waiting for your new videos.

[@YuriR]

Hi Joshin, thank you so much! The videos take a while to produce and I'm currently with a lot of work on the professional side going on. But I will be uploading videos more constantly this year! Thanks for the patience and for watching!

[@mountrat]

I'm new to esp idf. Why to use this instead of arduino ide? And how it differs or what advantage we will have when using this? Is this for professionals?

[@florianberdich3612]

Hi Yuri, is it also possible to implement ESP Matter trough this? or can you make a video about ESP Matter as well? Thanks!

[@johannessimanjuntak2902]

Thank You for your video, may be you want to make new video about esp now . Thank You 🙏

[@muhammadavivsabilalmujtahi7894]

sir, please make tutorial video to input some library in esp idf

[@janlab2433]

Can I decompile the bin file extracted from esp32 and view the project code through any reverse engineering tool thankue in advance 🥰

[@ScottySR]

I get a "The term 'idf.py' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program" error. Anyone know what's wrong?

[@devaharshameesarapu277]

ESP32's default baud rate is 115200. If I am changing the baud rate more than that after building the project its again resetting it to 115200. As in config, its the maximum range of baud rate. But the datasheet states it can go till 5mbps. Can anyone help in how to set it? I am using ESP32 DevkitC.