# Flashing ESPHome

!!! tip
	See the [Cloudcutter video guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSj8f-HCHQ0) for a complete tutorial on flashing with [Cloudcutter](https://github.com/tuya-cloudcutter/tuya-cloudcutter) and installing [LibreTiny-ESPHome](../projects/esphome.md). **Includes Home Assistant Add-On setup.**

ESPHome can be flashed in few different ways, depending on your needs.

!!! abstract
	All binary files generated by ESPHome will be in `.esphome/build/<yourdevice>/.pioenvs/<yourdevice>/`. The methods described below may require you to get a file from that directory.

	If you're using the GUI (ESPHome Dashboard) this path will be in your `configs/` directory.

	This path will be referred to as **build directory**.

## Built-in flasher

=== "CLI"

	The flasher program built-in LibreTiny is also available for ESPHome.

	- use `python -m esphome run yourdevice.yml` to recompile AND upload the firmware
	- use `python -m esphome upload yourdevice.yml` to upload without recompiling

	<!-- the line below needs to be indented by 4 spaces!!!  -->
    {%
		include-markdown "../inc/uart-info.md"
	%}

	If your device is already running ESPHome, refer to the OTA guide below.

=== "GUI"

	The built-in flasher is not yet available in the GUI. Here are your options:

	- OTA, using the downloaded UF2 file (if you're already running ESPHome)
	- wired (also UF2), using [ltchiptool](tools/ltchiptool.md)
	- wirelessly, using tuya-cloudcutter

	Read below for more details on each of these methods.

## Over-the-Air (OTA)

This method requires having ESPHome already installed on your device.

- If you've added the Web Server component, navigate to the device's IP address (or `.local` name) in your web browser. Grab `firmware.uf2` from the build directory and drop it on the "OTA Update" field.
- You can also use ESPHome CLI to flash via OTA. Add a `--device` argument to the command, as such: `python -m esphome upload yourdevice.yml --device yourdevice.local`

{%
	include-markdown "../inc/uart-ltchiptool.md"
%}

{%
	include-markdown "../inc/ota-cloudcutter.md"
%}

{%
	include-markdown "../inc/ota-openbeken.md"
%}

### Migrating from ESPHome to OpenBeken

ESPHome is only compatible with UF2 OTA packages, which OpenBeken doesn't provide. You need to create an UF2 package manually, using ltchiptool (see [ltchiptool#7](https://github.com/libretiny-eu/ltchiptool/issues/7) for more info). Grab an .RBL file from OpenBeken Releases page, and run this command:

```
ltchiptool uf2 write -b generic-bk7231n-qfn32-tuya -o OpenBeken.uf2 "OpenBK7231N_1.17.205.rbl=device:download"
```

This will create `OpenBeken.uf2` file that you can upload on the ESPHome web server dashboard page. **Pay attention to the chip selection** - incorrectly built UF2 file may brick your device! Make sure to download the right .RBL file of OpenBeken, and to choose the correct board (`-b`) parameter.