# Installation and everyday use

See [the full installation guide](https://github.com/MaxGramser/homeassistant_espscreen/blob/main/docs/EASY_SETUP.md).

Open **New screen** to install a screen: connect it via USB to the
Home Assistant machine, choose the board, name and USB port, then click **Install**.
The profile with unique keys goes into the ESPHome folder of the HA configuration,
any missing Wi-Fi goes into `secrets.yaml` (existing secrets are left untouched), and the
build and flash run in the same window; it then shows the API key
for pairing. Pairing itself happens in Home Assistant under **Settings → Devices & services** (a button in the window and on the *not yet in Home Assistant* card under My screens). Each screen has its own profile. **Firmware & USB** is
for existing profiles: check, build or reinstall via USB or
the IP address (OTA). Existing ESPHome profiles in the HA config folder are
found automatically.

At the top of the editor you set the **Top bar** for each screen: the name on the left, up
to six items on the right (time, analog clock, date, or an entity with an icon, such as
temperature, a door, the alarm, or "last changed"). Drag to reorder, tap
to configure; firmware 0.2.32 or newer renders them.

After pairing via the HA ESPHome integration, choose the tiles in ESP Screens.
**Tile settings** has click behavior, larger values and mini-sliders.
**Screen settings** has brightness and standby. **Inspector** helps with
missing attributes or an offline screen. New cards require firmware 0.2.0.