Menu
ProjectsBoardsHow it worksFor makers

How it works

Chipnik writes firmware to your board straight from the browser over USB. Nothing to install except, sometimes, a USB driver.

  1. Pick a project

    Find it by board or by what it does. The project page lists the boards it runs on.

  2. Check parts and the board variant

    Look at the parts list. In the Flash block pick your board variant: variants differ in screen, USB ports and memory, and need different builds.

  3. Plug the board in

    Use a USB cable that carries data. Many phone charging cables only carry power, the board will not show up with them.

  4. Install

    Press Flash and pick the port. The firmware is downloaded, its signature and checksums are checked, then it is written and verified. The firmware that was on the board is replaced.

  5. First launch

    The board restarts by itself. If the project needs Wi-Fi, set it up as the project guide says. If the screen stays dark, press RST once.

Where it works

SystemChrome, Edge, OperaFirefox, Safari
WindowsYesNo
macOSYesNo
LinuxYesNo
ChromeOSYesNo
AndroidChrome over USB OTG, not tested yetNo
iPhone, iPadNoNo

Which board do I have

Chipnik reads the chip by itself when you connect the board. The board variant you confirm yourself: the same chip sits on boards with different screens and USB ports.

Cheap Yellow DisplayYellow board with a 2.8 inch screen. One micro-USB port: the original variant with the ILI9341 screen. Micro-USB and USB-C side by side: the newer variant with the ST7789 screen.
ESP32 DevKitThe metal shield says ESP32-WROOM-32 or ESP32-WROVER. One USB port and a separate USB chip next to it, CP2102 or CH340.
ESP32-S3 DevKitThe shield says ESP32-S3. Often two USB-C ports, labelled USB and UART or COM.
ESP32-C3 SuperMiniA tiny board with one USB-C port. The chip marking says ESP32-C3.
ESP32-CAMA board with a camera and no USB port of its own. It sits on a programmer board ESP32-CAM-MB or flashes through a USB-UART adapter.

USB drivers

Windows and macOS usually find the board by themselves. If the port does not appear, install the driver for the USB chip on your board.

CH340, CH341WCH, WindowsCP2102, CP2104Silicon Labs, Windows, macOS

Flashing does not start

The board is not in the list of ports

Try another cable and another USB port, then install the driver above. On Windows look in Device Manager for a new COM port when you plug the board in.

“Failed to connect” or it hangs on Connecting

Hold the BOOT button, press and release RST (EN), then release BOOT. Press Flash again. Some boards, like ESP32-CAM, need a programmer board or a jumper from IO0 to GND.

The port is busy

Close Arduino IDE, PlatformIO serial monitor, Cura and any app that may hold the port, then reconnect the board.

Flashed, but the screen is white or the colors are wrong

You probably have another board variant. Open the project again, pick the other variant and flash once more.

Browse projects