🔧 Tool of the Week
esparagus
A Rust-based, machine-friendly ESP32 flasher that emits NDJSON events, stable exit codes, and a machine-readable final report — ideal for CI, HIL test rigs, or agent-driven flash→test→fix loops. Use it when you need programmatic failure reasons instead of human text parsing. 🔗 GitHub - DatanoiseTV/esparagus. (github.com)
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🛒 Deals & Finds
- USB Logic Analyzer — 8‑channel, 24 MHz (SparkFun / reliable retail)
– Cheap, works with PulseView for protocol decoding and quick captures on the bench. Good first logic analyzer. 🔗 SparkFun USB Logic Analyzer 24MHz/8‑Channel. (sparkfun.com)
- M5Stack Cardputer‑Adv (ESP32‑S3)
– Pocket card-sized computer with screen, keyboard and extensions — a handy host for web-based hardware tools or Bit Pirate dock work. 🔗 M5Stack Cardputer‑Adv product page. (shop.m5stack.com)
- ESP32 Pinout Studio (esp32pin.com)
– Free interactive pinout that warns about strapping pins, ADC2+Wi‑Fi conflicts and other real-world pitfalls before your PCB spin. 🔗 ESP32 Pinout Studio. (esp32pin.com)
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🧪 Cool Build
ESP32 Bit Pirate
A Bus‑Pirate‑style, multi‑protocol workbench (I2C, SPI, UART, sub‑GHz, JTAG, more) with a web CLI and adapter system — great for turning an M5Stack Cardputer or Stick into a portable hardware debugger. Flash it to supported M5 devices and use the web tools for quick captures and scripting. 🔗 geo‑tp / ESP32‑Bit‑Pirate (GitHub). (github.com)
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📚 Worth Reading
- EU Cyber Resilience Act: Vulnerability Reporting Obligations – Clear, practical guide on what manufacturers must report starting 11 Sep 2026 and how that affects connected products. 🔗 Espressif developer blog (Sep 9, 2026). (developer.espressif.com)
- Build connected lighting systems with the ESP DALI component – How to implement an IEC‑62386 DALI master on Espressif SoCs (RMT-driven) and bridge DALI to Matter. Useful if you work on lighting or building automation. 🔗 Espressif: ESP DALI component (Aug 28, 2026). (developer.espressif.com)
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⚡ Quick Hits
- esparagus: buildable via cargo and integrates into CI with NDJSON output. 🔗 [GitHub]. (github.com)
- PulseView / sigrok AppImages for quick installs (useful with cheap Saleae clones). 🔗 [sigrok Downloads]. (sigrok.org)
- ESP32 Bit Pirate web tools and recipes — quick way to add sniff/drive modes without wiring up bulky gear. 🔗 [ESP32 Bit Pirate web site / docs]. (geo-tp.github.io)
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📺 Cool Videos
- DIY STM32 Oscilloscope (Part 1) — BTTLab
– Single‑channel STM32F207 scope demo and repo; good reference if you want to push MCU ADCs into low-cost test gear. 🔗 [YouTube: DIY STM32 Oscilloscope (Part 1)]. (youtu.be)
- M5Stack Cardputer‑Adv overview
– Short hands‑on demo of the Cardputer‑Adv hardware and capabilities. 🔗 [YouTube: M5Stack Cardputer ADV]. (youtube.com)
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