Starting with 1.6.4, Arduino allows installation of third-party platform packages using Boards Manager. We have packages available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux (32 and 64 bit).
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Install the current upstream Arduino IDE at the 1.8.9 level or later. The current version is on the Arduino website.
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Enter
https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
into the File>Preferences>Additional Boards Manager URLs field of the Arduino IDE. You can add multiple URLs, separating them with commas. -
Click on "OK"
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(And don't forget to select your ESP8266 board from Tools > Board menu after installation).