How to Program an ESP32 and Upload Code with PyBot Labs

Short answer: open the PyBot IDE in Chrome or Edge, drag blocks or write MicroPython, connect to your Beaver Board over Bluetooth, and press Run. There is nothing to install, no drivers, and no USB cable.

What you need

A PyBot Beaver Board (ESP32-WROOM-32, $49 CAD, ships from Canada) with 4 AA batteries.
A computer, laptop or Chromebook running Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Web Bluetooth is required). An iPad works with the free PyBot Labs iPad app.
A free PyBot Labs account is optional for trying the IDE and needed to save projects.

Step 1: Write your code

Open the IDE at https://app.pybotlabs.com/en/ide and pick one of two modes:

Blocks: drag Blockly blocks (Scratch-style). A live preview shows the real MicroPython your blocks generate.
Python: the Python IDE at https://app.pybotlabs.com/en/python-ide has autocomplete for the pybot library and a built-in cheat sheet.

A first program that blinks the red LED:

import pybot, time

while True:
    pybot.led.on("RED")
    time.sleep(0.5)
    pybot.led.off("RED")
    time.sleep(0.5)

Guided tutorials with progress tracking are at https://app.pybotlabs.com/en/tutorials.

Step 2: Power the board

Insert 4 AA batteries and plug the pack into the PWR connector. The OLED screen shows the board name (for example PyBot-BB-042) and a 6-digit PIN with the message "Connect in app".

Step 3: Connect over Bluetooth

In the IDE, click Connect, then Bluetooth.
Choose the device named PyBot-BB-… in the browser's device picker.
Enter the PIN shown on the OLED the first time. A computer you have paired before reconnects automatically.

Step 4: Upload and run

Click Run to send your program to the board and start it immediately.
Choose Save to board to store it so it runs every time the board powers on.

To upload a new version, just press Run again. The board stops the old program and receives the new one.

Why this is easier than Thonny or the Arduino IDE

	PyBot Labs	Thonny / Arduino IDE
Install	None, runs in the browser	Desktop app plus board drivers
Cable	None, Bluetooth upload	USB cable required
First run	Connect, press Run	Select port, install board package or firmware
Beginner-friendly	Blocks with live Python preview	Text code only
Hardware wiring	Pre-wired board	Usually breadboard and jumper wires

Troubleshooting

Board not in the picker: make sure you are using Chrome or Edge, Bluetooth is on, and the board shows its name and PIN on the OLED.
Wrong PIN: use the 6-digit number currently shown on the OLED.
Need a clean slate: hold Switch A while powering on for maintenance mode, or Switch B for BLE-only mode (skips the saved program).

Pin assignments are in the Beaver Board pinout. Function reference: pybot library.