Disclaimer: This is the method I have used to install/connect to the equipment I have listed below using a Mac. It is hoped that these steps will work on your hardware but differences in manufacturer, version, storage, firmware, RAM, etc. may change your results. Your mileage may (and probably will) vary.
Utility to interact with a MicroPython board over a serial connection
pip install adafruit-ampyA serial bootloader utility.
pip install esptoolCP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers.
Download the MacOSX driver and follow the install instructions.
Stable MicroPython firmware for ESP8266. Obviously this version will change over time.
Using a (seemingly standard) Micro USB cable, connect your Mac to the micro USB port on the ESP8285.
Note: I have heard some charging only cables aren't wired to pass data, so make sure the cable specifies data sync as well.
The blue LED on the ESP8266 should blink VERY briefly when powered up.
Referencing your particular serial port mentioned above:
esptool.py --port /dev/SLAB_USBtoUART erase_flashReferencing your particular serial port and MicroPython version mentioned above:
esptool.py --port /dev/SLAB_USBtoUART write_flash -fm dio 0x00000 esp8266-20171101-v1.9.3.binPlease note the options for baud, fm, and fs. These seemed to differ from board to board, manufacturer, etc. These values worked for me for the hardware above (after some experimentation).
The install indicates that the board is reset afterwards BUT I unplugged and replugged just to make sure.
There are a variety of serial terminal packages available, I use screen. These instruction are for using screen, but you get the idea
brew install screenMake the connection:
screen /dev/SLAB_USBtoUART 115200As stated above, your device name may vary.
Hopefully, something similar to the following will be displayed:
MicroPython v1.9.3-8-g63826ac5c on 2017-11-01; ESP module with ESP8266
Type "help()" for more information.
>>>If NOT, play around with the baud rates (using other values than 115200 mentioned above).