4.Xiaozhi AI Setup

Use this page to configure the Xiaozhi backend, customize the assistant role, and use the local flashing workflow when the online flasher is not available.

This project is based on xiaozhi-esp32. If you want to add your own features, continue with secondary development after the standard setup path is working.

Backend Setup

Register a Xiaozhi Account

Note

Xiaozhi account registration may require a phone number and SMS verification.

  1. Visit the AI Chatbot Management System: Xiaozhi.me

  2. Click Console to enter the management backend.

  3. Fill in the registration form:

    • Select your country or region.

    • Enter the phone number that will receive the verification code.

    • Complete the captcha.

  4. Click Send Code and enter the SMS verification code to complete registration.

  5. After registration, set a password in account management if you want to sign in again later from a different device.

Xiaozhi sign-in page
Xiaozhi sign-up form
Xiaozhi SMS verification page

Create an Agent

  1. Click Create Agent.

  2. Enter an agent name and confirm.

  3. Open Configure Role on the new agent card.

Create Agent interface
Configure agent parameters
Add Device interface

Configure the Agent Role

  1. Configure the basic role settings:

    • Assistant Name: Name your AI assistant

    • Voice Role: Select the preferred voice

    • Language Preference: Select the conversation language

    • Role Introduction: Describe the assistant personality

    • Language Model: Select the backend model

  2. Set the role prompt. You can start with the template below and customize it later:

    I am a virtual assistant called {{assistant_name}}. I communicate exclusively in English with a natural, friendly voice. I provide helpful, accurate information and assist users with their queries while maintaining a conversational tone. I adapt my speaking style to match the user's needs and always aim to deliver clear, concise responses in fluent English.
Configure the assistant role

  1. Click Save to store the role configuration.

Save the assistant role

Firmware Upload

Online Flashing

You can also use an online flashing tool. The advantage of this method is that you simply open the webpage, select your device and firmware version, and it requires no configuration. Once flashing is complete, you can start using it right away.

Note

Online flashing is supported only in Chrome or Edge browsers.

Warning

Use a USB Type-C cable that supports data transfer. A charging-only cable may power the board but will not work for flashing.

Note

On Windows, connect the USB Type-C data cable to the ESP32-S3 UART port on the left side of the board before clicking Connect. On macOS, connect the cable to the ESP32-S3 USB port on the right side, then press and hold BOOT, press RESET while still holding BOOT, and enter download mode before clicking Connect. The screen will turn black after the device enters download mode; this is normal.

For detailed instructions on using the online flasher, see Online Flasher.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open the LAFVIN Web Flasher

  2. Select the following options:

    • Device: AIoT Starter Kit

    • Firmware: Xiaozhi-Aiot

    • Version: Xiaozhi-Aiot

  3. Connect the development board to your computer using the correct USB Type-C port for your operating system, as described in the note above, before clicking Connect.

  4. Click Connect, then select your device in the browser pop-up window and click Connect again.

  5. Click Flash to start flashing. Wait for the process to complete.

  6. After flashing is complete, restart the device by pressing the RST or RESET button on the ESP32-S3 board. You do not need to unplug the USB cable unless the device does not respond.

Local Flashing (Alternative)

  1. Open the local flashing tool package from the downloaded project files.

  2. Double-click Flash Download Tools and select the same options shown below.

../_images/flashtool1.png

  1. Upload the firmware with the following settings:

    1. Click the Select File button and choose your downloaded firmware file in .bin format.

    2. In the address field, enter 0 or 0x0.

    3. Select the COM port that matches the ESP32-S3 board. Refer to Driver Installation if you need help finding the port.

    4. Use the baud rate shown in the flashing tool screenshot. If flashing fails, retry with a lower baud rate.

    5. Click START to begin writing the firmware.

    ../_images/flashtool2.png
    ../_images/flash_xiaozhi.png

  2. After flashing is complete, press the RST button on the development board.

  3. The board should restart and enter Wi-Fi provisioning mode.

  4. Continue with Wi-Fi Configuration to connect the board to Wi-Fi and bind it in the backend.

If you are using macOS and need a local flashing path, refer to macOS Firmware Upload (Alternative).

Wi-Fi Configuration

  • After the firmware is flashed, press the RST or RESET button on the development board. The board will restart and enter network configuration mode.

  • Connect your phone to the hotspot named Xiaozhi-XXXX. The configuration page should open automatically. If not, manually enter http://192.168.4.1 in your browser to access the configuration interface.

    ../_images/wifi_config.png

  • Select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and click Save. The device will save the settings and restart automatically.

  • After restarting, the board will connect to your Wi-Fi and announce a 6-digit verification code. If it does not restart within about 30 seconds, press the RST or RESET button once.

Bind the Device

  1. Keep the board powered on after Wi-Fi configuration.

  2. In the agent page, click Add Device.

  3. Enter the 6-digit verification code announced by the board.

  4. Confirm the binding and wait for the board to restart.

../_images/web6.png

After the restart completes, say Hi, ESP to start the first conversation.

../_images/main1.png

Alternative Backend and Privacy Options

If you do not want to register with a phone number, want to use a different LLM, or prefer to keep more control over your data flow, you can explore the self-hosted server projects listed in the xiaozhi-esp32 Related Open Source Projects section.

This path usually requires you to:

  • deploy your own compatible backend service

  • modify the firmware source code so the device points to your new server

  • rebuild and flash the firmware again

Warning

The LAFVIN kit documentation and the workflows in this guide are tested only with the official Xiaozhi server at xiaozhi.me. We do not verify compatibility, deployment steps, privacy behavior, or long-term stability for third-party or self-hosted servers in this tutorial.

Note

Self-hosting is an advanced workflow intended for users who are comfortable with backend deployment, ESP-IDF builds, firmware changes, and credential management.