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CircuitPython on ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1

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Installing CircuitPython on ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1

The notes below are based on the CircuitPython with ESP32 Quick Start guide from Adafruit.

Windows 10

  1. Download and install the latest Espressif IoT Development Framework (ESP-IDF) from the ESP-IDF GitHub repository.

    Note: An alternative is to install the esptool Python package from PyPi, then use python -m esptool <command> in the commands below. Personally, I used Poetry to create a dedicated venv, and prevent globally installing the package.

  2. Download the latest .bin file from the CircuitPython ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1-N8 download page.

  3. Plug in the ESP32-C6 to your computer using the “UART” labeled USB-C port.

  4. Identify the COM port using the Device Manager. Look for “Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge” under “Ports (COM & LPT)”.

    Note: If you’re missing the CP210x drivers, download them from Silicon Labs’s developers section.

  5. Open a ESP-IDF command-line and flash the .bin onto the ESP32-C6:

    esptool --chip esp32c6 --port COM5 write_flash 0x0 adafruit-circuitpython-espressif_esp32c6_devkitc_1_n8-en_US-9.0.0-alpha.2.bin

  6. Once flashed, unplug and plug back in the ESP32-C6 to your computer using the “USB” labeled USB-C port. You should see the RGB LED flash GREEN once every few seconds. If the RGB LED flashes YELLOW three times every few seconds, it means something went wrong and the ESP32-C6 is in safe mode.

  7. Identify the new COM port using the Device Manager. Look for “USB Serial Device” under “Ports (COM & LPT)”.

  8. Finally, you can connect to it using PuTTY.

    • Connection Type: Serial
    • Serial line: COM7
    • Speed: 115200

  9. Once connected, you should see the following output:

Auto-reload is on. Simply save files over USB to run them or enter REPL to disable.
code.py output:
Hello World!

Code done running.

Additional References