Programming ESP8266 Arduino Shield using Arduino IDE

The ESP8266 Arduino Shield can be programmed using the Arduino IDE.

Install the ESP8266 board Managers

Go "To File > Preferences", and set Additional Boards Manager URLs: to include http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json 

NB multiple board manager URLs can be seperated with a comma

Go to "Tools -> Board -> Boards Manager", type "ESP8266" and install it.

Go to "Tools -> Board" and select "Generic ESP8266 Module".

Connect ESP8266 to PC 

Connect ESP8266 Shield debug port to PC via USB to TTL Serial board.

• RX to TX
• TX to RX
• GND to GND
• 3V3 to 3V3

Set DSP8266 to flash mode

Set DIP switches 3 (flash mode) and 4 (DFU) ON

Upload sketch program

Open sketch program and select upload

Set DSP8266 to normal operation and run sketch program

Set DIP switches 3 (flash mode) and 4 (DFU) OFF