Title: Learning Signals
Description: Capture IR buttons and remotes with GhostESP
URL: /v2.1/infrared/learning/
Version: v2.1
Section: Infrared
Search index: /search-index.json

# Learning Signals

> Capture IR buttons and remotes with GhostESP

## On this page

- [Before you start](#before-you-start)
- [Learn a remote or button](#learn-a-remote-or-button)
- [Storage layout](#storage-layout)
- [Tips](#tips)
- [CLI Support](#cli-support)
- [Manual File Creation](#manual-file-creation)

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## Before you start
- Hardware: Board with IR RX support (see [hardware requirements](/v2.1/infrared/hardware/)).
- SD card: Inserted and mounted so GhostESP can save .ir files under /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/.
- Easy Learn: Optional assistant that suggests button names. Toggle via settings.
## Learn a remote or button
-
Open Infrared and choose Learn Remote or Learn Button to append to an existing remote.
-
Align the source remote with the IR receiver window, hold it steady within a few centimeters, then press the button once.
-
Confirm the button name. Easy Learn provides a suggested label during learning, otherwise use the on-screen keyboard.
-
Watch the preview popup for carrier frequency, protocol name, and decoded address/command details. Cancel and retry if you receive a raw decode on a known non-raw signal.
-
Confirm to save. GhostESP will create a new .ir file for fresh remotes or append the button to the currently open file automatically.
### Storage layout
- New remotes are written to /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/remotes/<name>.ir.
- Adding to an existing remote appends another named button block inside the same .ir file.
### Tips
- Keep the remote within a few centimeters of the receiver and avoid direct sunlight.
- If learning fails, exit and re-open the Infrared learning popup to try to reinitialize the RMT RX channel.
## CLI Support
You can learn signals via the command line using ir learn.
# Learn a signal and auto-save to a new file under /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/remotes
ir learn
# Learn and append to a specific file
ir learn /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/remotes/my_remote.ir
- Without a path, GhostESP generates a new .ir file name based on the decoded protocol/address/command (or a RAW timestamp) in /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/remotes/.
- With a path, the learned signal is appended to the given .ir file.
### Manual File Creation
You can manually create .ir files if you know the protocol details. Save them as text files with the .ir extension in /mnt/ghostesp/infrared/remotes/.
Example .ir file content:
Filetype: IR signals file
Version: 1
name: Power
type: parsed
protocol: NEC
address: 00 FF
command: 00 FF