ESPHome consists of a number of moving parts. To better understand how they interact and work, and where to start, here is a quick overview:
Step 1: Use Supported Microcontrollers
Start with a microcontroller board that is supported by ESPHome.
Step 2: Provision Microcontroller
Open a browser like Chrome, and provision your microcontroller so it can be discovered and used by ESPHome. Provisioning uploads ESPHome firmware to it.
Don’t forget to configure WiFi access so it can connect to your WiFi and be discovered by ESPHome.
Step 3: Adopt Microcontroller in ESPHome
Once a provisioned microcontroller goes online, it is automatically discovered by ESPHome and surfaces in ESPHome Desktop where you can adopt it. It is now ready to use.
Step 4: Design Your Hardware Project
Design your hardware setup as you normally would do: compose schematics, and wire everything up.
Step 5: Translate Hardware Into ESPHome Configuration
With ESPHome, no programming is required. Instead, you translate* your hardware setup into a configuration.
Step 6: Upload Auto-Generated Firmware
When you completed the configuration and would like to test it, ask ESPHome to auto-generate the firmware for it and upload it to your microcontroller.
Step 7: Add Device To Home Assistant
Once your device is set up and online, Home Assistant automatically detects it. Add your device to Home Assistant to be able to tap into plenty of additional functionality.
Integration with Home Assistant is optional. If you do not run a Home Assistant yet, you may want to look into setting one up. It’s really simple and adds so much more opportunities for you.
Step 8: Home Assistant Dashboards
For example, add new dashboards in Home Assistant, and display sensor readings or virtual buttons to control your devices manually.
Step 9: Set up Automations
You can now also set up automation scripts hosted by Home Assistant that are automatically triggered when a device state changes.
Whether you want to respond to a button click, or turn on air conditioning based on a sensor reading, is now all possible and requires only a few clicks.
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(content created Jul 12, 2024)