Xiao-ESP32-S3-Spy-Cam

A mini Nanny cam for the Seeedstudio Xiao ESP32-S3 Sense

XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense Security Camera (MJPEG Stream + SD Recording + Motion + One-Click Download)

This project turns a Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense into a small security camera that:

• Serves a live MJPEG stream in your browser
• Records JPEG frames to microSD (clip folders)
• Optionally records only on motion
• Lets you download a full clip with one click (as a .tar archive)

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What you need

Hardware

• Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense
• microSD card (8–32GB recommended)
  • Must be FAT32
• microSD card reader (for your PC)
• USB-C cable (data capable)
• (If you are using an external SPI microSD module instead of a shield/board) proper wiring

Software

• Arduino IDE 2.x (recommended)
• USB driver support (usually automatic on Windows/macOS)
• ESP32 Arduino core installed via Boards Manager

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Project overview

Web endpoints

• / : main UI page
• /stream : live MJPEG video stream
• /status : JSON status
• /control : controls recording and motion toggles
• /clips : list stored clips/frames
• /download?clip=current : download the current clip as a TAR

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Step-by-step Arduino IDE install guide

1) Format the microSD card (important)

1. Insert the microSD card into your PC.
2. Format as FAT32.
   • Windows: use “Format…” → File system FAT32 (if FAT32 isn’t shown, use a FAT32 formatter tool).
   • macOS: Disk Utility → Erase → MS-DOS (FAT) (this is FAT32) → Master Boot Record.

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2) Install Arduino IDE

1. Download and install Arduino IDE 2.x.
2. Open Arduino IDE.

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3) Add ESP32 boards to Arduino IDE (Boards Manager)

1. In Arduino IDE: File → Preferences
2. In “Additional boards manager URLs” add this (if you already have others, separate with commas):