Now since all requirements are met, the next topic will guide you on how to start your first project.

This guide will help you on the first steps using ESP-IDF. Follow this guide to start a new project on the {IDF_TARGET_NAME} and build, flash, and monitor the device output.

.. note::

    If you have not yet installed ESP-IDF, please go to :ref:`get-started-step-by-step` and follow the instruction in order to get all the software needed to use this guide.

Start a Project
===================

Now you are ready to prepare your application for {IDF_TARGET_NAME}. You can start with :example:`get-started/hello_world` project from :idf:`examples` directory in ESP-IDF.

.. important::

    The ESP-IDF build system does not support spaces in the paths to either ESP-IDF or to projects.

Copy the project :example:`get-started/hello_world` to ``~/esp`` directory:

.. code-block:: bash

    cd ~/esp
    cp -r $IDF_PATH/examples/get-started/hello_world .

.. note:: There is a range of example projects in the :idf:`examples` directory in ESP-IDF. You can copy any project in the same way as presented above and run it. It is also possible to build examples in-place without copying them first.

Connect Your Device
===================

Now connect your {IDF_TARGET_NAME} board to the computer and check under which serial port the board is visible.

Serial ports have the following naming patterns:

- **Linux**: starting with ``/dev/tty``
- **macOS**: starting with ``/dev/cu.``

If you are not sure how to check the serial port name, please refer to :doc:`establish-serial-connection` for full details.

.. note::

    Keep the port name handy as you will need it in the next steps.

Configure Your Project
======================

Navigate to your ``hello_world`` directory, set {IDF_TARGET_NAME} as the target, and run the project configuration utility ``menuconfig``.

.. code-block:: bash

    cd ~/esp/hello_world
    idf.py set-target {IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME}
    idf.py menuconfig

After opening a new project, you should first set the target with ``idf.py set-target {IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME}``. Note that existing builds and configurations in the project, if any, will be cleared and initialized in this process. The target may be saved in the environment variable to skip this step at all. See :ref:`selecting-idf-target` for additional information.

If the previous steps have been done correctly, the following menu appears:

.. figure:: ../../_static/project-configuration.png
    :align: center
    :alt: Project configuration - Home window

    Project configuration - Home window

You are using this menu to set up project specific variables, e.g., Wi-Fi network name and password, the processor speed, etc. Setting up the project with menuconfig may be skipped for "hello_world", since this example runs with default configuration.

.. only:: esp32

    .. attention::

        If you use ESP32-DevKitC board with the **ESP32-SOLO-1** module, or ESP32-DevKitM-1 board with the **ESP32-MIN1-1(1U)** module, please enable single core mode (:ref:`CONFIG_FREERTOS_UNICORE`) in menuconfig before flashing examples.

.. note::

    The colors of the menu could be different in your terminal. You can change the appearance with the option ``--style``. Please run ``idf.py menuconfig --help`` for further information.

.. only:: esp32 or esp32s2 or esp32s3

    If you are using one of the supported development boards, you can speed up your development by using Board Support Package. See `Additional Tips <#additional-tips>`__ for more information.

.. only:: esp32s2

    Console Output Configuration
    ----------------------------

    If you are using the USB for flashing the {IDF_TARGET_NAME}, you need to change the channel for the console output from UART (default) to USB.

    1. Navigate to the option ``Channel for console output``.

        ``Component config`` > ``ESP System Settings`` > ``Channel for console output``

    2. Change to the option (the default will be always UART):

        ``USB CDC``

    3. Save the new configuration and exit the ``menuconfig`` screen.