How to install ESP-IDF after installing PlatformIO?

2
votes

I installed PlatformIO to develop programs for the ESP32. PlatformIO automatically installs "everything" to create ESP-IDF projects.

In part that works but some things, like menuconfig, does not work in PlatformIO.

I also read here that some code does not compile in PlatformIO but it does compile with the Espressif development tools.

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/get-started/

I want to be able to install the Espressif tools but I am concerned that when I do this maybe some part from my PlatformIO installation will be overwritten, maybe with a different version, and then maybe I have more problems than I solve.

Are there clear instructions how to install the ESP-IDF at the same time as PlatformIO and make sure they don't create problems with each other?

1
toolchainplatformioesp-idf

1 Answers

1
votes

PlatformIO does download its dependencies in the user directory, e.g. windows:

C:\Users\USERNAME\.platformio

whereas the espressif guide leads to globally installed python, compiler, etc.

Even if they are in different versions, PlatformIO does not set any environment variables and does not use anything else then what it downloaded itself. Same goes the other way the original esp-idf does not know anything about PlatformIO.

tl;dr You can use both independently of each other.