> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://reacoda.gitbook.io/molemi-iot/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://reacoda.gitbook.io/molemi-iot/introducing-the-nodemcu/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Before we can use the NodeMCU board we need to install the ESP8266 board and it's library on the  Arduino IDE in order to use the WiFi functionality. This will be done as follows:

Open the Arduino IDE software on your computer. Go to   **File**> **Preferences**<br>

![Adding NodeMCU board (randomnerdtutorial.com)](https://3073865318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Ly3RLHyAwTi7Hml5lZN%2F-Ly9kPCDdfjyiblRqNAm%2F-Ly9mhSEaWFnsMSmLJnz%2Faddnodemcu.png?alt=media\&token=0eb182b9-f6df-4b35-8841-5a5fdc9626cd)

Add the link: <http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json> to the “Additional Boards Manager URLs” field as shown in the figure below. Then, click the “OK” button:

![](https://3073865318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Ly3RLHyAwTi7Hml5lZN%2F-LyD_HhdqTVpEHZobDVw%2F-LyDgXIh9k5avx_LWbhw%2Fesp8266url.png?alt=media\&token=42549650-67de-4aed-9bf7-34c73b45defb)

&#x20;Open the "Boards Manager" and go to  **Tools** > **Board** > **Boards Manager**<br>

![Board Manager ( randomnerdtutorial.com)](https://3073865318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Ly3RLHyAwTi7Hml5lZN%2F-LyDpJXWWs1F8Lk1zMB3%2F-LyDq6ImPAtuRyVDZIss%2Fboardsmanager.png?alt=media\&token=58010a9c-3306-4655-9ec8-37c9031ff31a)

Search for ESP8266  and press install button for the “**ESP8266 by ESP8266 Community**“:

![Installing the ESP8266 board (randomnerdtutorial.com)](https://3073865318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Ly3RLHyAwTi7Hml5lZN%2F-LyDrjjikIeqpYBMa450%2F-LyDroKfdgz_KayrbSrw%2Fesp8266install.png?alt=media\&token=304e301f-cc44-4a63-9bc0-4ee6177a5a0d)

In a few second, you should be able to see the following:

![](https://3073865318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Ly3RLHyAwTi7Hml5lZN%2F-LyDrvXcc2I4Lbz25bFw%2F-LyDsSQrw2xNLtQooM3f%2Fesp8266in.png?alt=media\&token=bb81d89d-8779-4027-a188-33bd0e417acb)