In Arduino IDE, write a simple blink sketch:

If Proteus does not meet your needs, consider these alternatives:

Practical workflow to simulate ESP32-like designs when Proteus lacks native support

If you are designing a project that relies heavily on GPIO, analog inputs, UART, I2C, or SPI peripherals, Proteus ESP32 simulation will save you time, money, and frustration. It bridges the gap between idea and physical prototype, allowing you to test 90% of your firmware in a risk-free environment.

: Go to the directory where Proteus is installed. This is usually:

Ultimately, simulation is a to physical hardware, not a replacement. Start your project in Proteus to iron out logic and wiring errors, then deploy to a real ESP32 for final network testing. This hybrid approach saves days of frustrating debugging.