ESP32 Setup Guide

What you'll need

• An ESP32 dev board (any common esp32dev-compatible variant)
• A USB cable (usually micro-USB or USB-C depending on board)
• A computer with Python installed
• An internet connection for the ESP32 to share

1. Install PlatformIO

The ESP32 firmware is built with PlatformIO using the ESP-IDF framework. Install the PlatformIO CLI:

pip install platformio

2. Get the firmware

git clone https://github.com/AgentMage/wifi.tree
cd wifi.tree/esp32

3. Flash it

Plug in your ESP32, then build and flash:

pio run -t upload

The first flash takes a few minutes while PlatformIO downloads the ESP-IDF toolchain. Subsequent flashes are fast.

4. First boot — setup wizard

On first boot (no saved wifi credentials), the ESP32 broadcasts a network called wifi.tree-setup. Connect to it from your phone or laptop.

Your device will open a captive portal showing nearby wifi networks. Pick your home network, enter the password, and tap Save. The ESP32 reboots and connects to your network as a client.

5. Your tree is live

After reboot, the ESP32 broadcasts wifi.tree. Anyone who connects will see the leaf-growing portal. You're a wifi.mom now. 🌳

Admin panel

Connect to wifi.tree and visit http://wifi.tree/admin. The default password is admin — change it immediately on the Settings page.

From the admin panel you can:

• Set leaf lifetime, speed cap, time and data budgets
• View connected visitors (live signal, data rates)
• Per-visitor: override speed cap, kick, or reset budgets
• Customize the portal appearance (name, emoji, colors, welcome text)

LED status

• Fast blink — setup mode (broadcasting wifi.tree-setup)
• Slow blink — connecting to your uplink
• Solid — online and serving visitors

Factory reset

Hold the BOOT button (GPIO0) for 5 seconds. The ESP32 wipes all stored credentials and visitor data, then reboots into setup mode.

Monitor serial output

pio device monitor

Useful for debugging. Baud rate is 115200.