--- id: installation title: Meshtastic-python installation sidebar_label: Installation sidebar_position: 1 --- import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'; import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem'; This library provides a command line interface (CLI) for Meshtastic nodes and provides an easy API for sending and receiving messages over mesh radios, in addition to changing user settings. Using the command line is currently the most powerful. Events are delivered using a publish-subscribe model, and you can subscribe to only the message types you are interested in. The [Meshtastic-python repo](https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python) and [API documentation](https://python.meshtastic.org) are excellent sources of information. If you wish to view the code or contribute to development of the python library or the command line interface, please visit the Meshtastic python [GitHub page](https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python). There are standalone executables for Mac, Windows and Ubuntu if you do not want to install python and/or the python libraries required to run the mestastic CLI tool. See [Standalone](/docs/software/python/python-standalone) for more information. Installation can also be easily done through the [Python package installer pip](https://pypi.org/project/meshtastic): :::note You must use pip version 20 or later. To upgrade to the latest pip, do: `pip install --upgrade pip` ::: :::info Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while installing python. If you don't, python may not be available and you may not be able to call `meshtastic` from your CLI. If you do forget to check that box, you will need to install the path environment variable for python on your operating system. ::: :::important You may need to install a driver from Silicon Labs for the [CP210X USB to UART bridge](https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers) Some newer boards may require the drivers for the [CH9102](http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH343SER_ZIP.html) or [Direct Download](https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/CH9102_Driver) for Windows 7. ::: - Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port - Use the command ```shell lsusb ``` - You should see something like: - `ID 10c4:ea60 Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge` for CP210X - `ID 1a86:55d4 QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial` for CH9102 - Check that your computer has Python 3 installed. - Use the command ```shell python3 -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install python ```shell sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install python3 ``` - Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4 - Check that pip is installed using this command ```shell pip3 -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install pip ```shell sudo apt-get install python3-pip ``` - Optional: use a python virtual environment (otherwise jump to step "Install pytap2") - Install python-virtualenvwrapper (arch based distros as an example) ```shell sudo pacman -Syu python-virtualenvwrapper ``` - Create a virtual environment ```shell source /usr/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh mkvirtualenv meshtastic workon meshtastic ``` - Install pytap2 ```shell pip3 install --upgrade pytap2 ``` - Install meshtastic: ```shell pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic ``` - Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port - Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB` - You should see something like `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller` - If not download the drivers from [Silicon Labs](https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers). - Check that your computer has Python 3 installed. - Use the command ```shell python3 -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install [python](https://www.python.org) - The following uses Homebrew to install `python3` which includes `pip3`. - Check if you have Homebrew installed with the following command ```shell brew -v ``` If it's not installed, follow the instructions on the [Homebrew website](https://brew.sh) before continuing. - Install Python3 ```shell brew install python3 ``` - Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4 - Check that pip is installed using this command ```shell pip3 -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing) - Install pytap2 ```shell sudo pip3 install --upgrade pytap2 ``` - Install meshtastic: ```shell sudo pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic ``` - Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port - Open Device Manager - Under `Ports (COM & LPT)` you should see something like `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)` - If not download the drivers from [Silicon Labs](https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers) or use the direct link below. :::warning You must install the [CP210x Universal Windows Driver](https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip). If you do not install this driver, your device may not work and the driver may need to be uninstalled from device manager before installing the correct driver. ::: - Check that your computer has Python 3 installed. - Use the command ```powershell py -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install [python](https://www.python.org) - Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4 - Check that pip is installed using this command ```powershell pip3 -V ``` - If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing) - Install pytap2 ```powershell pip3 install --upgrade pytap2 ``` - Install meshtastic: ```powershell pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic ``` :::note Wifi connection is currently under development and may not be working properly just yet. If you would like to provide feedback or test this feature, please visit our [forum](https://meshtastic.discourse.group) or join our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/ktMAKGBnBs) for more information. ::: - Install [Termux](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux) from the F-Droid app store (Google play does not currently support the latest builds) - Load Termux and update the package list ``` pkg update ``` - Upgrade the installed packages ``` pkg upgrade ``` - Install python ``` pkg install python ``` - Upgrade pip and installed meshtastic and some of its dependencies ``` pip install --upgrade pip pygatt pytap2 wheel mesthtastic ``` :::note Be aware that the Meshtastic CLI is not able to control the nodes over USB through termux, but you can control devices over Wifi using the `--host x.x.x.x` option with the device IP address. However, only ESP32 devices can use Wifi currently. ::: :::info You may need to close and re-open the CLI. The path variables may or may not update for the current session when installing. :::