Upload already compiled code on Linux CLI without arduino-cli

Question

I have a sketch for an Arduino Nano. I'm compiling it on my build server and get these 3 files:

• project.bin.elf
• project.bin.hex
• project.bin.with_bootloader.hex

Now I need to be able to upload/flash them onto the board (connected via a serial interface) without arduino-cli. Mainly because I can't install it via apt-get which means I'd have to start jumping through loops to be able to use it (stuff like keeping it up to date, installing, etc. on hundreds of devices).
So I was wondering if there are any tools in the debian repositories I can use to upload the compiled sketch and if so how.

I've been looking for a solution and came across several answers and topic but strangely enough all either use arduino-cli, other specialized tools or link to dead pages or pages that no longer contain the answer.

Examples:

• How to compile, upload and monitor via the Linux command line?
• Compiling sketch vi command line

Answer 1

Use avrdude.

The command format is simple, assuming you have installed it from the Linux repositories:

avrdude -carduino -patmega328p -P/dev/ttyUSB0 -b115200 -Uflash:w:/path/to/project.bin.hex:i

Depending on what bootloader is installed in your nano you may need to change the baud rate (-b115200) to 57600. Also, of course, the USB device should be set to what your board actually identifies as.

The breakdown of the command is:

-c<programmer type>
-p<part name>
-P<port>
-b<baud rate>
-U<instruction>

The programmer type, part name and baud rate can all be gleaned from the boards.txt file in the AVR core files. For example, for the Nano:

nano.upload.protocol=arduino
nano.menu.cpu.atmega328.upload.speed=115200
nano.menu.cpu.atmega328.build.mcu=atmega328p

relate to -c -b and -p respectively. The instruction will always be the same, and means "Write to flash the following file in IHEX8 format". "flash" is the destination memory, "w" is the write command, and ":i" at the end defines the expected file format.

On a Linux computer with avrdude installed you can find much more information with man avrdude.