Install Arduino IDE 2.3.8 and ESP32 Arduino Core on Linux Mint 22.3 (Over VirtualBox 7.2.8)

To install the Arduino IDE 2.3.8 on Linux Mint using the AppImage format, tested on Linux Mint 22.3 Xfce over VirtualBox on Windows 11.

Step 1: Download the AppImage
- Go to the official Arduino Software page.
- Look for Arduino IDE 2.3.8 (or the latest version).
- Click on the "Linux AppImage 64 bits" link to download the file.
- You can move the downloaded file to other folder you want.

Step 2: Grant Execution Permission
By default, Linux treats downloaded AppImages as non-executable files for security. You must enable execution rights.

Option A: Using the Terminal (Recommended)

Open your terminal and navigate to the folder contain the downloaded file:

chmod +x arduino-ide_2.3.8_Linux_64bit.AppImage

Option B: Using the GUI

- Right-click the downloaded .AppImage file.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Permissions tab.
- Check the box that says "Allow executing file as program".

Step 3: Configure Serial Port Permissions (dialout)

In Linux, your user account needs permission to access the USB serial ports to upload code to your Arduino board.

- Optional, to list all members of the group dialout, run the following command:

getent group dialout

- Grant permission to user to access the USB serial ports, run the following command:

sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

- For this change to take effect, you must log out and log back in (or restart your computer).

Step 4: Run the Arduino IDE

- Simply double-click the .AppImage file to launch the IDE.
- (Optional) If Linux Mint asks if you would like to integrate the AppImage into your system menu, select "Yes". This allows you to find Arduino in your "Start" menu like a regular app.

Install ESP32 Arduino Core in Arduino IDE

To use ESP32 boards with the Arduino IDE 2.3.8, you need to add the Espressif board manager URL and then download the specific platform files. Basically follow the Arduino ESP32 document > Getting Started > Installing.

Add the ESP32 Board Manager URL

The IDE needs to know where to find the definitions for ESP32 hardware.
- Open the Arduino IDE.
- Go to File -> Preferences.
- Locate the field labeled "Additional boards manager URLs".

Paste one of the following URL into the box:

Stable release link:

https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json

Development release link:

https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_dev_index.json

Click OK.

2. Install the ESP32 Platform

Now that the IDE knows where to look, you need to install the actual drivers and compilers.
- Click on the Boards Manager icon on the left-hand sidebar (it looks like a small computer chip).
- In the search bar that appears, type "ESP32".
- Find the entry titled esp32 by Espressif Systems.
- Click the Install button (select the latest version, which should be 3.x.x).

- Wait for the download to finish. This may take a minute as it downloads the cross-compiler toolchain.

3. Select Your ESP32 Board

Once installed, you need to tell the IDE exactly which ESP32 model you are using (e.g., Dev Module, WROOM, S3, or C3).

- Connect your ESP32 to your Linux Mint PC via USB.
- Go to Tools -> Board -> esp32.
- Select your specific board model (if unsure, "ESP32 Dev Module" is the most common choice for generic 30-pin/38-pin boards).
- Go to Tools -> Port and select the port (usually /dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/ttyACM0).


Troubleshooting:

Missing Python Serial Dependency

The ESP32 upload tool (esptool.py) requires Python and the pyserial library. Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip
pip3 install pyserial

Extra step for running over VirtualBox

~ Check  the post VirtualBox how to: automatically capture USB devices for use in a virtual machine.