# Quick Start This page is the fastest way to get started with the general-purpose **DroneBridge for ESP32** release. {% hint style="info" %} This page is for **DroneBridge for ESP32**. It is **not** the [Drone Light Show Edition](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32-drone-light-show-edition/overview-drone-light-show-edition.md) and it is **not** the legacy [DroneBridge for Raspberry Pi](/docs/dronebridge-for-raspberry-pi/getting-started.md) project. {% endhint %} DroneBridge for ESP32 is a lightweight telemetry and data bridge for supported ESP32 boards. It is easy to set up and works well for single-drone telemetry links, but it currently does **not** provide video transmission or radio control. ## Before You Start You will typically need: * A supported ESP32 board * A USB cable for flashing and initial setup * Access to a flight controller UART * A Ground Control Station such as MissionPlanner or QGroundControl {% hint style="warning" %} DroneBridge is not designed for use as a safety-critical link and must not be relied on as the only communication link. Before wiring or flying anything, read [Safety & Integration](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/safety-and-integration.md). {% endhint %} If you still need to choose hardware, start with [Hardware & Wiring](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/hardware-and-wiring.md). ## Recommended First Setup For a first test, use a **single ESP32 in WiFi Access Point mode**. This is the simplest setup because it only needs one board and lets you connect directly to the ESP32 from your phone, tablet, or laptop. {% stepper %} {% step %} #### 1. Choose a supported board Pick a supported ESP32 board and check whether it is an official board, or a more generic development board. -> [Hardware & Wiring](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/hardware-and-wiring.md) {% endstep %} {% step %} #### 2. Flash the firmware Use the online flashing tool if possible. It is the easiest option for a first installation and helps you pick the correct firmware flavour. -> [Installation](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/installation.md) {% endstep %} {% step %} #### 3. Wire the ESP32 to the flight controller Connect `5V`, `GND`, `TX`, and `RX`. If you are not using UART flow control, leave `RTS` and `CTS` disconnected and disabled. -> [Hardware & Wiring - Wiring to the Flight Controller](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/hardware-and-wiring.md#wiring-to-the-flight-controller) {% endstep %} {% step %} #### 4. Open the web interface Power the ESP32, connect to the Wi-Fi network `DroneBridge for ESP32` using the password `dronebridge`, and open `http://dronebridge.local` or `http://192.168.2.1`. -> [Configuration - Web Interface](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/configuration.md#web-interface) {% endstep %} {% step %} #### 5. Configure the UART and mode Set the correct UART pins and baud rate for your hardware, then keep the device in **WiFi Access Point Mode** for the first test. -> [Configuration](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/configuration.md) {% endstep %} {% step %} #### 6. Connect your Ground Control Station Connect your GCS to the ESP32 link and verify that telemetry is arriving before trying more advanced modes. -> [Configuration - MissionPlanner Configuration](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/configuration.md#missionplanner-configuration) -> [Configuration - QGroundControl Configuration](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/configuration.md#qgroundcontrol-configuration) {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ## Choose the Right Mode Use the mode that matches your setup: * **WiFi Access Point Mode**: Best first setup for a single drone and a direct connection to the ESP32 * **WiFi Client Mode**: Best when the ESP32 should join an existing Wi-Fi network * **WiFi LR or ESP-NOW LR**: Best when you want more range and can also use ESP32 hardware on the ground side * **Bluetooth LE**: Best for BLE-specific workflows and mobile-style setups, but it requires the BLE bridge application Read the full mode details on [Configuration](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/configuration.md). If you are comparing WiFi-based multi-drone setups with ESP-NOW, also see [Drone Swarm Control](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/drone-swarm-control.md). ## Detailed Guides
GuideOpen
Choose hardware and wiring/pages/hb5qPpKZJxqVYIaPnGxa
Flash the firmware/pages/2KZ4KSu2zHqgRHgB8Lhu
Configure modes and UART settings/pages/cxeAAp2n9mXKfcwhnClf
See complete setup examples/pages/N9n2rHB4Oigq0vfPQzUu
Fix common problems/pages/koStaSJK70OnpgbVDUPa
Capture logs and debug startup issues/pages/MF5nKPzyCDxaw0FHAOkj
Build against the API or firmware/pages/ajAUOzHyMir225aeLyoB
## Common First-Run Problems If your first setup does not work right away, these pages will usually get you unstuck quickly: * The access point is not visible: [Troubleshooting/Help](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/troubleshooting-help.md#i-flashed-and-the-access-point-is-not-showing-up) * The web interface does not load: [Troubleshooting/Help](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/troubleshooting-help.md#the-web-interface-is-not-loading) * No telemetry shows up in the GCS: [Troubleshooting/Help](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/troubleshooting-help.md#i-see-no-data-in-my-ground-station) * You are locked out after changing settings: [Troubleshooting/Help](/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/troubleshooting-help.md#i-am-locked-out-how-do-i-reset-my-esp32-running-dronebridge) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://dronebridge.gitbook.io/docs/dronebridge-for-esp32/quick-start.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.