T-Embed examples

What you’re building

LILYGO’s T-Embed repository collects manufacturer examples and firmware for the ESP32-S3 handheld, covering its TFT display, rotary encoder, LED, microphone, sound output, and optional CC1101 or SI473x shields. The examples can be built with Arduino, PlatformIO, or ESP-IDF; the repository includes its own libraries and board configuration. Running an example should produce a focused hardware demonstration such as a TFT test, microphone input, sound output, LED behavior, or CC1101 receive/transmit on equipped variants. Version coupling is the major constraint: the README’s Arduino path was tested with ESP32 core 2.0.14 and warns that newer cores can break TFT_eSPI. The factory example also separates compilation in Arduino IDE 2.x from resource upload through the older esp32fs-compatible Arduino 1.8.x workflow. A fitted CC1101 shield disables the microphone by hardware design.

Key steps

1. Clone the T-Embed repository and choose an example matching the installed base board or optional shield.
2. Install the Espressif Arduino board package and use the repository-tested 2.0.14 core if newer versions misbehave.
3. Copy the repository’s lib contents into the Arduino libraries folder and preserve its TFT_eSPI configuration.
4. Select the flash and partition settings shown by the repository for T-Embed, then compile the chosen example.
5. If no USB port appears, hold the encoder BOOT button, tap RST, release RST, then release BOOT before uploading.
6. Run the example and use the supplied factory firmware to separate a software problem from display or board failure.