Install via Homebrew:

Or via pip (if you prefer):

Find the serial device with ls /dev/cu.usbserial-* /dev/cu.usbmodem*. On Apple Silicon, esptool runs natively under arch -arm64; no Rosetta required.

Most distros ship Python 3. Install esptool with pip:

Add yourself to the dialout group so you can open the serial port without sudo:

Find the device with ls /dev/ttyUSB* /dev/ttyACM*. If the board's CDC chip needs a kernel module, dmesg will tell you.

Skip the local install — flash directly from your browser using esptool-js (Web Serial API). Works in Chrome and Edge on desktop.

Pick ESP32-S3, set the file at offset 0x0 to the .bin you downloaded above, baud 460 800. Hold BOOT, tap RESET, release BOOT, then click Program. No drivers needed on Chromium browsers.

If multiple serial devices match the wildcard, replace it with the exact path. /dev/cu.usbmodem* for native USB-C boards.

If you get permission denied, you skipped the dialout group step (see Install tools tab) — fix it with sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyUSB0 as a one-shot, or re-run the usermod command and re-login.