# Deploy

> Deploy MimiClaw firmware to an ESP32-S3 board. Covers prerequisites, configuration, build, flash, verification, and troubleshooting.

- Skill: `memovai/deploy` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add memovai/deploy`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/memovai/deploy/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: memovai (https://skillmd.com/u/memovai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/memovai/deploy

---


# Deploy MimiClaw

End-to-end guide for deploying MimiClaw to an ESP32-S3 dev board.

## Prerequisites

### Hardware
- ESP32-S3 dev board with **16 MB flash + 8 MB PSRAM** (e.g. Xiaozhi AI board, ~$5-10)
- USB Type-C data cable (not charge-only)

### Software
- **ESP-IDF v5.5+** installed and working
  ```bash
  # Install: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/v5.5.2/esp32s3/get-started/
  # Verify:
  idf.py --version   # should show >= 5.5
  ```

### Credentials (get these first)
- **WiFi SSID + password** — the network the ESP32 will connect to
- **Telegram Bot Token** — create via [@BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather) on Telegram
- **Anthropic API Key** — from [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com)
- *(Optional)* Brave Search API key — from [brave.com/search/api](https://brave.com/search/api/)
- *(Optional)* HTTP proxy host:port — if in China or restricted network

## Step 1: Clone and Set Target

```bash
git clone https://github.com/memovai/mimiclaw.git
cd mimiclaw
idf.py set-target esp32s3
```

## Step 2: Configure Secrets

```bash
cp main/mimi_secrets.h.example main/mimi_secrets.h
```

Edit `main/mimi_secrets.h` — fill in ALL required fields:

```c
#define MIMI_SECRET_WIFI_SSID       "YourWiFiName"        // REQUIRED
#define MIMI_SECRET_WIFI_PASS       "YourWiFiPassword"     // REQUIRED
#define MIMI_SECRET_TG_TOKEN        "123456:ABC-DEF..."    // REQUIRED
#define MIMI_SECRET_API_KEY         "sk-ant-api03-..."     // REQUIRED
#define MIMI_SECRET_MODEL           ""                     // optional, defaults to claude-opus-4-5
#define MIMI_SECRET_SEARCH_KEY      ""                     // optional: Brave Search API key
#define MIMI_SECRET_PROXY_HOST      ""                     // optional: e.g. "192.168.1.83"
#define MIMI_SECRET_PROXY_PORT      ""                     // optional: e.g. "7897"
```

**Proxy setup (China users):**
If you need a proxy to reach Telegram/Anthropic APIs, set both `PROXY_HOST` and `PROXY_PORT`. The proxy machine must:
- Be on the same LAN as the ESP32
- Support HTTP CONNECT method (Clash, V2Ray, etc.)
- Have "Allow LAN connections" enabled

## Step 3: Build

```bash
idf.py fullclean && idf.py build
```

**IMPORTANT:** Always `fullclean` after changing `mimi_secrets.h` — the secrets are compiled into the binary.

Expected output: `Project build complete. To flash, run: idf.py flash`

### Build Troubleshooting

| Error | Fix |
|-------|-----|
| `mimi_secrets.h: No such file` | Run `cp main/mimi_secrets.h.example main/mimi_secrets.h` |
| `esp_websocket_client not found` | Run `idf.py fullclean` then `idf.py build` (managed component auto-downloads) |
| `Toolchain not found` | Re-run ESP-IDF `install.sh` and `source export.sh` |
| Build runs out of memory | Close other apps, ESP-IDF build needs ~2GB RAM |

## Step 4: Find Serial Port

```bash
# macOS
ls /dev/cu.usb*

# Linux
ls /dev/ttyACM* /dev/ttyUSB*
```

Common ports:
- macOS USB-OTG: `/dev/cu.usbmodem1101` or `/dev/cu.usbmodem11401`
- Linux: `/dev/ttyACM0`

**If no port shows up:**
- Try a different USB cable (must be data cable, not charge-only)
- Try a different USB port
- Check if board has a power LED lit

## Step 5: Flash

```bash
idf.py -p PORT flash monitor
```

Replace `PORT` with your actual port. Example:
```bash
idf.py -p /dev/cu.usbmodem1101 flash monitor
```

The monitor shows boot logs. Look for:
```
I (xxx) mimi: MimiClaw - ESP32-S3 AI Agent
I (xxx) mimi: PSRAM free: ~8000000 bytes
I (xxx) wifi: WiFi connected: 192.168.x.x
I (xxx) telegram: Telegram bot token loaded
I (xxx) mimi: All services started!
```

**Exit monitor:** `Ctrl+]`

## Step 6: Verify

1. Open Telegram, find your bot (the one you created with BotFather)
2. Send: `Hello`
3. You should see "mimi is working..." followed by a response
4. Send: `What time is it?` — tests the get_current_time tool
5. Send: `Search for latest news about ESP32` — tests web_search (if Brave key set)

## Post-Deploy: Runtime Configuration

Connect via serial (`idf.py -p PORT monitor`) and use CLI commands:

```
mimi> config_show                  # see current config
mimi> wifi_set NewSSID NewPass     # change WiFi
mimi> set_tg_token 123456:ABC...   # change Telegram token
mimi> set_api_key sk-ant-...       # change API key
mimi> set_model claude-sonnet-4-5  # change model
mimi> set_proxy 192.168.1.83 7897  # set proxy
mimi> clear_proxy                  # remove proxy
mimi> heap_info                    # check memory
mimi> restart                      # reboot
```

CLI settings are stored in NVS flash and take priority over build-time values.

## OTA Update (over WiFi)

After initial USB flash, future updates can be done over WiFi:

1. Build new firmware: `idf.py build`
2. Host the `.bin` file on a local HTTP server:
   ```bash
   cd build && python3 -m http.server 8080
   ```
3. Send to your bot on Telegram or use the OTA CLI command with the URL:
   ```
   http://YOUR_PC_IP:8080/mimiclaw.bin
   ```

## Flash Layout

```
16 MB Flash:
├── 0x009000  NVS (24 KB) — runtime config
├── 0x020000  OTA_0 (2 MB) — active firmware
├── 0x220000  OTA_1 (2 MB) — update slot
├── 0x420000  SPIFFS (12 MB) — memory, sessions, config
└── 0xFF0000  Coredump (64 KB)
```

## Common Issues

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---------|-------|-----|
| No WiFi connection | Wrong SSID/password | Check `mimi_secrets.h`, `idf.py fullclean && build && flash` |
| "No bot token" | Empty TG token | Set via `mimi_secrets.h` or CLI `set_tg_token` |
| Bot doesn't respond | API key invalid | Check key at console.anthropic.com, set via CLI |
| "Markdown send failed" | Normal with Markdown mode | Non-critical, falls back to plain text |
| Proxy timeout | Proxy not reachable | Ensure same LAN, proxy allows LAN connections |
| SPIFFS mount failed | First boot or corruption | Normal on first boot (auto-formats) |
| Port busy/not found | Wrong port or cable | Try different USB port/cable, check `ls /dev/cu.usb*` |
| Boot loop | Firmware crash | Flash via USB again, check serial logs for crash info |