Your First Connection with serialterminal.app
Ready to talk to your first device? Using a web-based tool like serialterminal.app makes it incredibly simple. This guide will walk you through the entire process in four easy steps, from plugging in your device to seeing your first message.
~4 minutes
Ready to talk to your first device? Using a web-based tool like serialterminal.app makes it incredibly simple. This guide will walk you through the entire process in four easy steps, from plugging in your device to seeing your first message.
For this tutorial, we'll assume you have a device that sends serial data, like an Arduino, ESP32, or a USB-to-TTL adapter.
Step 1: Plug In Your Device
Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable. This will both power the device (in most cases) and create a virtual serial port for communication. Wait a few seconds for your computer to recognize the device.
Step 2: Open serialterminal.app and Click "Connect"
Navigate to serialterminal.app in a compatible browser (like Chrome or Edge). You'll see a clean interface with a main "Connect" button.
Click the Connect button.
Your browser will now open a small window asking for permission to access a serial port. This is a security feature. The list will show all the serial ports currently available on your computer.
Step 3: Select the Correct Port and Set the Baud Rate
In the pop-up window, you'll need to choose which device you want to talk to.
- Identifying the Port: The names can sometimes be generic, like
COM3on Windows or/dev/ttyUSB0on Linux/macOS. If you have multiple devices connected, you may need to unplug and re-plug your target device to see which entry disappears and reappears from the list. Many modern devices will have a more descriptive name, like "ESP32-S3" or "Arduino Uno". - Select the Port: Click on the correct port in the list and then click the "Connect" button in the pop-up.
Once the port is selected, the main interface will become active. Now you must set the Baud Rate.
- Find the Right Speed: The baud rate must match what your device is configured for. For an Arduino, this is often 9600. For an ESP32 or Raspberry Pi, it's typically 115200. Check your device's code or documentation.
- Set the Baud Rate: Use the dropdown menu in
serialterminal.appto select the correct baud rate.
If you're unsure about what a baud rate is, don't worry! we explain everything in our guide: Baud Rates, Data Bits, and Parity: Demystifying Serial Port Settings.
Step 4: Watch the Data Stream!
That's it! If your device is already sending data, you should see it appear in the main terminal window. If not, try resetting your device (using its physical reset button) to trigger its startup messages.
You can now:
- See incoming messages: All data sent from your device appears in the main window.
- Send commands: Type text into the input bar at the bottom and press Enter or click "Send" to transmit data to your device.
Congratulations! You've just established a two-way conversation with a piece of hardware directly from your browser.