Need help with Espressif IDE 4.0

[MickPF]

Hello,

To make software development with ESP-IDF a bit more convenient, I installed Espressif IDE 4.0 and, after several failed attempts, finally configured it correctly and completely. I got problems with the "Espressif IDF Manager."

In my project, which I created using "File → New → Espressif IDF Project," I have the directory "$PROJECT_DIR/include" where I placed all the include files for the project.

However, Espressif IDE only partially finds these include files, as well as some of the ESP-IDF include files. The "C/C++ Build" entry is missing from the "Project Properties" (see the image "Project Properties Espressif IDE" in the attachments). This is where you can specify the directories containing project-specific includes under "Settings," something I'm used to from Eclipse (see the image "Project Properties Eclipse" in the attachments).

Did I do something wrong when setting up the project in Espressif IDE?

If so, is there a way to correct this?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

[real_mon2]

You have a better chance at winning the lottery multiple times while singing a duet with Taylor Swift than to receive an official response from this "support forum" on life support.

Try this:

viewtopic.php?t=47401

[kondalkolipaka]

Hello,

In Espressif-IDE, you don’t need to configure any includes in the project properties, as it uses compile_commands.json as the source of truth for resolving include paths and headers.

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... -workspace

Here are the steps:
1.Install Espressif-IDE
2.Open Espressif > ESP-IDF Manager
3.Configure ESP-IDF using the ESP-IDF Installation Manager tool
4.Create a new project using templates

[kondalkolipaka]

As esp-idf uses CMake build systems, please check this to know how to structure your project if that's helpful.

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... -in-an-ide

If you're just getting started, please create a simple hello-world/blink example, see if that works? and then go on building a complex project.

[MickPF]

Hello,

It's true that ESP-IDF doesn't require this information, but Espressif-IDE, as a customized version of Eclipse, does it! If the include path information is missing in Eclipse, all declarations within those includes will be marked as errors in the editor. This makes it impossible to distinguish genuine errors in the source code from these missing declarations. This is a real problem if the source code exceeds 100 lines!
Everything becomes confusing; you have to look through all the markings, it's too much...

Furthermore, I discovered that the ESP-IDF installed in the Espressif IDE doesn't run from the command line. Trying to execute "export.sh" results in an error because it can't find the Python environment where it should be. This forces you to use two identical ESP-IDF environments: one for the Espressif IDE and one for the command line. That's absurd!

It is equally pointless for the user to modify the "export.sh" script or other parts within ESP-IDF to make ESP-IDF run in both environments. Espressif must handle that.

[kondalkolipaka]

Hello,

Agreed! In Espressif-IDE, the include path information is derived from compile_commands.json (generated by the build system) and used by clangd to resolve declarations.

Could you please be more specific about the issue you’re facing, or share a sample project you’re working with, so that we can help you further?

Here is the sample project which I've built in my workspace

Screenshot 2026-01-20 at 5.11.24 PM.png (2.79 MiB) Viewed 981 times

To manage esp-idf versions, we have a new tool called EIM, please check the guide here https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... stallation

Thanks!

[MickPF]

Hello,

I'm sorry, I haven't had time to reply here until now!

The attached image "Screenshot_3.png" shows the problem in the editor area.

I wanted to flash the app and my FAT partition from within the IDE via the connector "USB"/"JTAG" of the "ESP32S3 DevKitC-1" module, but it's not working. I found the page https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... agflashing in the IDE documentation. However, the dialog box on that page looks different from my window (attached image "Screenshot_4.png"). The "Flash over" option is missing!

I'm gradually getting the impression that the Espressif IDE, just like Microsoft Visual Studio Code itself and the Espressif plugin for Eclipse CDT, is just garbage! Features are promised or described in the documentation that don't actually exist or don't work! I'm very disappointed!

[kondalkolipaka]

Hello,

There are mutliple observations in the screenshots attached.

1. You're looking at the debug configuration wizard, you should check launch configuration wizard, please check this guide.
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... the-device

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 11.11.02 AM.png (1.82 MiB) Viewed 718 times

2. Code editor which you've attached is showing standard C/C++ editor not LSP based editor which espressif-ide v4.0 by default has - I wonder, are you using v4.0?

Please check "Espressif >> Production Information" and look for "IDF Eclipse Plugin Version".

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 11.16.06 AM.png (728.78 KiB) Viewed 718 times

[kondalkolipaka]

Hello,

If you're still facing an issue, please share a convenient time to connect at ide.support@espressif.com, and one of our dev team members will reach out to you.

Even if you're using VS Code, we'll be happy to assist and take your feedback!

Thanks!

[emoretti]

I have a problem. I'm developing a project in C++ using the Eapressif-ide environment, and eitoe is giving me errors that it can't find C++ libraries and even C libraries, but it compiles correctly.

Sin título.jpg (64.61 KiB) Viewed 138 times