ESP32-S3 Xedge32: Program Lua in Web IDE

Video Tutorial (Optional)

Watch first if you want to follow along with the full setup on an ESP32-S3 using Xedge32 and Lua.

Project Overview

ESP32-S3 + Xedge32: In this tutorial, you install the Xedge32 firmware on an ESP32-S3 and use Lua to connect WiFi and run your first script from the browser-based IDE.

Xedge32 is an advanced iteration of Xedge that accelerates IoT device development with a comprehensive peripheral Lua API for the ESP32. It lets you build IoT functionality without writing C code.

For more detailed information and documentation, check the Xedge32 documentation.

Time: 20 to 40 minutes
Skill level: Beginner
What you will build: A working Xedge32 setup where you can run Lua commands and execute a simple Lua script on the ESP32-S3

Xedge32 is designed to simplify the development of robust, commercial IoT products and includes features like secure IoT design support, protocol options, and OTA update workflows.

Parts List

From ShillehTek

No ShillehTek-specific parts are required for this software-focused ESP32-S3 + Xedge32 Lua tutorial.

External

ESP32-S3 (or ESP32-WROVER) development board
USB cable (to connect the ESP32 to your computer)
Computer with a modern browser (for the installer and web IDE)
WiFi network credentials (for Station Mode)

Note: After installing Xedge32, the ESP32 boots into Access Point (AP) mode by default. Station Mode is recommended to keep internet access while connected to the device.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 - Install Xedge32 firmware on the ESP32

Goal: Flash the Xedge32 firmware so your ESP32 can run Lua using the Xedge32 environment.

What to do: Connect the ESP32 to your computer over USB, then use the official web installer.

Connect the ESP32 USB cable to your computer.
Click the Install Xedge32 button on the Xedge32 page.
When your browser shows a device list, select the device that includes “serial” in its name and continue the installation wizard.
When the install completes, reboot by unplugging and replugging the USB cable.
After reboot, the ESP32 is in Access Point mode. For details, refer to the ESP32 Access Point Mode documentation.

Expected result: The ESP32 reboots into Xedge32 and starts broadcasting a WiFi access point network.

Step 2 - Connect in AP Mode, use the IDE, then switch to Station Mode

Goal: Connect to the ESP32 in AP Mode, confirm Lua is working, and optionally switch to Station Mode so you can stay online while connected.

What to do: Reboot the device (unplug/replug) to ensure it is in AP Mode, then connect to the WiFi network it broadcasts using the password 12345678.

Computer connected to the ESP32-S3 Xedge32 WiFi access point network in AP mode

Once connected, open the browser-based IDE at http://xedge32.local/.

Xedge32 web IDE homepage opened at http://xedge32.local on an ESP32-S3

Open a shell from the top-right corner and run a simple test like printing “Hello World” to confirm everything is working.

Opening the Lua shell from the Xedge32 web IDE on an ESP32-S3

Running a Hello World print command in the Xedge32 Lua shell on an ESP32-S3

If you want to switch to Station Mode, open LuaShell32:

Click the three dots (...) in the upper right corner of the Xedge editor.
Select Lua Shell.

In LuaShell32, run the following command and replace the SSID and password with your WiFi credentials:

Code:

esp32.netconnect("wifi", {ssid="your-Wi-Fi-SSID", pwd="password"})

If the connection is successful, the ESP32 remains in Station Mode.
If the connection fails, the ESP32 reverts to Access Point Mode.

Reconnect in Station Mode:

If your computer supports mDNS, navigate to http://xedge32.local/ (or refresh).
If your computer does not support mDNS, find the new IP address from your router’s DHCP client list (the device typically appears as “xedge”).

Expected result: You can access the IDE and Lua shell, and the ESP32 connects to your WiFi in Station Mode when configured.

Step 3 - Create and run your first executable Lua script (.xlua)

Goal: Create an app and run an executable Lua script on Xedge32.

What to do: In the Xedge32 IDE, right-click the disk in the left menu and create a new folder.

Creating a new folder in the Xedge32 file system tree on an ESP32-S3

Inside the folder, create a new app (leave the default settings). You can name the folder and app whatever you like.

Creating a new app with default settings in the Xedge32 web IDE on an ESP32-S3

Inside the app, create an executable Lua file named {name}.xlua.

Creating an executable .xlua Lua file inside an app in the Xedge32 IDE on an ESP32-S3

Paste this factorial example into the file:

Code:

-- Function to calculate factorial
function factorial(n)
    if n == 0 then
        return 1
    else
        return n * factorial(n - 1)
    end
end

-- Main code
local number = 5  -- You can change this number to calculate a different factorial
local result = factorial(number)
print("The factorial of " .. number .. " is " .. result)

Select the app config file and check the running field.

Selecting the app config file in Xedge32 to enable running the Lua application on an ESP32-S3

Save and run the Lua script.

Enabling the running setting and running the Lua script in the Xedge32 IDE on an ESP32-S3

Expected result: You should see 120 in the console log, which is the factorial of 5.

Conclusion

You installed Xedge32 on an ESP32-S3, connected through the browser-based IDE, and used Lua to run both shell commands and a first executable script. This workflow makes it easier to prototype IoT behavior quickly without writing C code.

Want parts and dev gear for your next ESP32 build? Grab what you need at ShillehTek.com. If you want help customizing Xedge32 for a product or building an IoT solution end to end, check out our IoT consulting services.