Originally intended to be used with their companion apps once flashed using `tuya-convert <https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert>`__ ESPHome generated
firmware can be uploaded allowing you to control the smart plugs via Home Assistant.
1. Create the ESPHome Firmware
------------------------------
#. Refer to either :doc:`/guides/getting_started_command_line` or :doc:`/guides/getting_started_hassio` before moving onto the next step.
#. Select a plug configuration below based on the plug/s you have and copy all of the text in the code block and paste into your
``name_of_esphome_configuration.yaml`` file.
#. Compile the firmware, again depending on your chosen setup refer to the guides in the first point.
2. Flashing
-----------
2.1 Prerequisites
*****************
#. Before you begin you'll need one of the following linux machines running the latest copy of `Raspbian Stretch Lite
a. Raspberry Pi 2B/B+ with `USB WiFi Dongle <https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-usb-wifi-dongle/>`__.
b. Raspberry Pi 3B/B+.
..note::
As per the `tuya-convert documentation <https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert/blob/master/README.md#requirements>`__:
Any Linux with a Wifi adapter which can act as an Access Point should also work. Please note that we have tested the Raspberry Pi with clean installations
only. If you use your Raspberry Pi for anything else, we recommend using another SD card with a clean installation.
#. A microSD card (minimum 2GB, 8GB+ recommended).
#. Any WiFi device which can connect to the SSID generated by the Raspberry Pi and eventually the flashed tuya device. **This cannot be an iOS / Apple device.
Android devices will work.**
2.2 Installing the OS
*********************
#. It's recommended to read the documentation provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation on the best way to flash the OS to the microSD card depending on your
platform - `Installing operating system images <https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/>`__.
#. After you've flashed the microSD card browse to the "boot" partition and add a blank file called "ssh" **(without any extension)** which will enable the
SSH server upon first boot, extended information on this step can be found `here
#. Plug the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect network cable and power, the Raspberry Pi will start to boot.
2.3 Connecting to the Pi via SSH
********************************
#. Download and install `Putty <https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html>`__.
#. Open Putty.
#. Enter the IP of Raspberry Pi in the box that says "Host Name", leaving the port set to 22 (default for SSH). A list of recommended ways can be found `here
<https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/remote-access/ip-address.md>`__, but the easiest is to download and use `Fing <https://www.fing.com/>`__
#. In the "Saved Sessions" input box, name the Raspberry Pi connection and then press "Save".
#. Select your new saved session from the list.
#. Press "Open".
2.4 Configuring the Pi
**********************
#. In the putty window login with the **pi** as the user and **raspberry** for the password.
#. Type ``sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -y`` and wait for the upgrades to install.
#. Type ``sudo apt-get install git`` and wait for it to install.
2.5 Setup and Install tuya-convert
**********************************
#. In the putty window type ``git clone https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert`` press enter and wait while the repository is cloned.
#. Type ``cd tuya-convert`` and press enter.
#. Type ``./install_prereq.sh`` press enter and wait as the script gathers all the required components needed to function.
2.6 Upload ESPHome Firmware using SFTP
**************************************
#. Download `FileZilla <https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client>`__ or `WinSCP <https://winscp.net/eng/index.php>`__ or use your preferred FTP
client.
#. Depending on the program you need to connect to the Pi using the IP address as the hostname and the username and password the same as you used to connect
via SSH and ensure your connection type is set to **SFTP**
#. Browse to ``/root/tuya-convert/files``.
#. Upload your compiled ``firmware.bin`` file to this directory. For command line based installs you can access the file under
``<CONFIG_DIR>/<NODE_NAME>/.pioenvs/<NODE_NAME>/firmware.bin`` alternatively Hass.io users can download the file directly from the web ui.
2.7 Use tuya-convert to install ESPHome Firmware
************************************************
#. Type ``./start_flash.sh``
#. Type ``yes`` to accept the warning.
#. Connect your alternative WiFi device (non iOS / Apple based) to the ``vtrust-flash`` SSID using ``flashmeifyoucan`` as the password. This is the network
being broadcast by the Pi from the tuya flash script.
#. If you haven't already connect your smart plug and turn it on. It should automatically enter pairing mode, if it doesn't follow the instructions below:
* To connect the Smart WiFi Plug to your WiFi press and hold the manual control button for about 5 seconds until you hear a click. Let go of the button
as soon as you hear the **click**. Then press button once again to activate blinking. **The red indicator light should now blink rapidly (2 times per
* To do this, ensure your plug is on (the indicator light should be blue), hold the power button down for 5 seconds until you hear a click, let go of the
power button and then press the button once to activate.
#. Press enter on your putty window to start the flash process and wait. If the connection is successful you should see a large amount of scrolling text, this
is the script backing up the factory shipped firmware.
#. Once the process is complete you can type ``curl http://10.42.42.42/flashURL?url=http://10.42.42.1/files/firmware.bin``
#. The plug will restart and if everything is working correctly after a few seconds you should be able to press the button triggering the relay and turning the
blue led on.
3. Smart Plug Configurations
----------------------------
Thanks to the existing work by `@ideasman69 <https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert/issues/66>`__ and
