Flash a release

Releases are not published yet

Prebuilt firmware images will be attached to GitHub releases. Until the first one is out, build from source. The steps below describe the release path and the board quirks that apply to both.

1. Get esptool

python3 -m pip install esptool

2. Download the image

Download the firmware image from the latest release on GitHub. It contains the bootloader, partition table, firmware and the setup console in one file, flashed at offset 0x0.

3. Put the board in download mode

Native USB on this board has no reliable auto-reset, so the first flash is manual:

1. Hold BOOT, plug the USB-C cable in while holding, then release. Holding BOOT and tapping RESET is not reliable on this board.
2. Find the port. On macOS it is a /dev/cu.usbmodem* that appears on replug; on Linux usually /dev/ttyACM0.

4. Flash

python3 -m esptool --chip esp32s3 -p PORT -b 460800 \
  --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash 0x0 molty-firmware.bin

5. Unplug and replug

Unplug and replug the cable, without pressing any buttons. The post-flash reset does not cleanly leave download mode on this board.

The fluid appears on the screen. Continue with Set up your Molty.

Later updates

Once Molty runs, updates go over HTTP with rollback protection; you never need the BOOT button again unless the partition table changes. See Updates after the first flash.