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Pirata edited this page Aug 21, 2026 · 8 revisions

Launcher Wiki

Launcher is an application and firmware launcher for ESP32-based devices, including M5Stack, LilyGo, CYD, Marauder-style boards, Elecrow boards, AWOK boards, e-paper devices, headless ESP32 builds, and other supported targets. This wiki reflects the 2.8.0 release and the 2.9.0 development line.

It is designed to stay on the device and make firmware switching practical without reconnecting to a computer every time. From Launcher you can install firmware from an SD card, from the online catalog, from a direct URL, from the WebUI, or from a serial command. Recent releases also support multiple installed apps, dynamic partition management, per-app data backups, keyboard shortcuts, fastboot from the boot screen, USB mass storage on supported devices, and partition/NVS management from the WebUI.

Start here

Quick usage

  1. Check that your board is on the Supported devices list, then install Launcher with the Launcher Flasher, M5Burner, ESPHome Web Tools, or esptool.py.
  2. Turn the device on.
  3. Press the device select/enter button on the Launcher start screen to open Launcher.
  4. Use OTA, SD, or WUI to install firmware.
  5. On the next boot, Launcher can automatically start the installed app unless you open Launcher again.

What is new since 2.7.x

  • Shortcuts: bind a binary on the SD card to a keyboard key and install or launch it from the main menu with a single press.
  • Fastboot: on the boot screen, installed apps appear as cards. Touch a card, or press its digit on a keyboard device, to boot straight into that app.
  • Serial interface: type help on the serial port for WiFi setup, partition management, navigation, touch calibration, and SDIO pin configuration. Useful on devices with no keyboard or touchscreen. See Serial interface.
  • Firmware update checks: Launcher tracks what you downloaded in downloaded.json and can check LauncherHub for newer versions, downloading all updates in one action.
  • Multi-part firmware: firmware published as separate bootloader.bin, partitions.bin, firmware.bin, and data.bin files is downloaded and merged on the device into a single flashable file.
  • Per-app data backups: backups are linked to the firmware that owns them through /bkp/backupData.json, and are offered back when you reinstall.
  • WebUI partition management: view, create, resize, delete, format, back up, and restore partitions from the browser.
  • BLE bond compatibility: NimBLE bond data is saved per device and swapped when you switch firmware, so pairings survive firmware changes.
  • More keyboards and boards: M5 CardKB 1.1, CardKB2, and the Tab5 keyboard, plus new ports listed in the repository changelog.

Common links

If something is missing or wrong, open an issue in the repository or contact @bmorcelli on Discord.

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