diff --git a/src/machine/machine_esp32.go b/src/machine/machine_esp32.go
index 060a3b0ba..12d5bca7b 100644
--- a/src/machine/machine_esp32.go
+++ b/src/machine/machine_esp32.go
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ package machine
 import (
 	"device/esp"
 	"errors"
+	"runtime/interrupt"
 	"runtime/volatile"
+	"sync"
 	"unsafe"
 )
 
@@ -291,6 +293,101 @@ func (p Pin) mux() *volatile.Register32 {
 	}
 }
 
+const maxPin = 40
+
+// cpuInterruptFromPin selects an edge-triggered CPU interrupt line for GPIO.
+// CPU interrupt 10 is edge-triggered level-1 on the Xtensa LX6, which prevents
+// the ISR from re-entering continuously when other peripherals (e.g. SPI via
+// the GPIO Matrix) keep GPIO.STATUS bits asserted.
+const cpuInterruptFromPin = 10
+
+type PinChange uint8
+
+// Pin change interrupt constants for SetInterrupt.
+const (
+	PinRising PinChange = iota + 1
+	PinFalling
+	PinToggle
+)
+
+// SetInterrupt sets an interrupt to be executed when a particular pin changes
+// state. The pin should already be configured as an input, including a pull up
+// or down if no external pull is provided.
+//
+// You can pass a nil func to unset the pin change interrupt. If you do so,
+// the change parameter is ignored and can be set to any value (such as 0).
+// If the pin is already configured with a callback, you must first unset
+// this pins interrupt before you can set a new callback.
+func (p Pin) SetInterrupt(change PinChange, callback func(Pin)) (err error) {
+	if p >= maxPin {
+		return ErrInvalidInputPin
+	}
+
+	if callback == nil {
+		// Disable this pin interrupt
+		p.pinReg().ClearBits(esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_TYPE_Msk | esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_ENA_Msk)
+
+		if pinCallbacks[p] != nil {
+			pinCallbacks[p] = nil
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if pinCallbacks[p] != nil {
+		// The pin was already configured.
+		// To properly re-configure a pin, unset it first and set a new
+		// configuration.
+		return ErrNoPinChangeChannel
+	}
+	pinCallbacks[p] = callback
+
+	onceSetupPinInterrupt.Do(func() {
+		err = setupPinInterrupt()
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	p.pinReg().Set(
+		(p.pinReg().Get() & ^uint32(esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_TYPE_Msk|esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_ENA_Msk)) |
+			uint32(change)<<esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_TYPE_Pos | uint32(1)<<esp.GPIO_PIN_INT_ENA_Pos)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+var (
+	pinCallbacks          [maxPin]func(Pin)
+	onceSetupPinInterrupt sync.Once
+)
+
+func setupPinInterrupt() error {
+	esp.DPORT.SetPRO_GPIO_INTERRUPT_MAP_PRO_GPIO_INTERRUPT_PRO_MAP(cpuInterruptFromPin)
+	return interrupt.New(cpuInterruptFromPin, func(interrupt.Interrupt) {
+		// Read and immediately clear interrupt status bits.
+		// Clearing before processing is critical for edge-triggered CPU
+		// interrupts: any new GPIO events that arrive during callback
+		// execution will set fresh STATUS bits, generating a new edge
+		// on the CPU interrupt line so they are not lost.
+		status := esp.GPIO.STATUS.Get()
+		status1 := esp.GPIO.STATUS1.Get()
+		esp.GPIO.STATUS_W1TC.Set(status)
+		esp.GPIO.STATUS1_W1TC.Set(status1)
+
+		// Check status for GPIO0-31
+		for i, mask := 0, uint32(1); i < 32; i, mask = i+1, mask<<1 {
+			if (status&mask) != 0 && pinCallbacks[i] != nil {
+				pinCallbacks[i](Pin(i))
+			}
+		}
+		// Check status for GPIO32-39
+		for i, mask := 32, uint32(1); i < maxPin; i, mask = i+1, mask<<1 {
+			if (status1&mask) != 0 && pinCallbacks[i] != nil {
+				pinCallbacks[i](Pin(i))
+			}
+		}
+	}).Enable()
+}
+
 var DefaultUART = UART0
 
 var (
diff --git a/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_esp32.go b/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_esp32.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9aaa822fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_esp32.go
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+//go:build esp32
+
+package interrupt
+
+import (
+	"device"
+)
+
+// State represents the previous global interrupt state.
+type State uintptr
+
+// Disable disables all interrupts and returns the previous interrupt state. It
+// can be used in a critical section like this:
+//
+//	state := interrupt.Disable()
+//	// critical section
+//	interrupt.Restore(state)
+//
+// Critical sections can be nested. Make sure to call Restore in the same order
+// as you called Disable (this happens naturally with the pattern above).
+func Disable() (state State) {
+	return State(device.AsmFull("rsil {}, 15", nil))
+}
+
+// Restore restores interrupts to what they were before. Give the previous state
+// returned by Disable as a parameter. If interrupts were disabled before
+// calling Disable, this will not re-enable interrupts, allowing for nested
+// critical sections.
+func Restore(state State) {
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {state}, PS", map[string]interface{}{
+		"state": state,
+	})
+}
+
+// The ESP32 (Xtensa LX6) interrupt model:
+//
+//  1. The **interrupt matrix** (DPORT) maps each peripheral source to one of
+//     32 CPU interrupt lines via a 5-bit mapping register.
+//  2. The CPU's INTENABLE special register (SR 228) enables/disables each of
+//     the 32 CPU interrupt lines independently.
+//  3. When an enabled CPU interrupt fires, the processor vectors to the
+//     level-1 exception vector (offset 0x340 from VECBASE).
+//  4. The INTERRUPT special register (SR 226) shows which CPU interrupts are
+//     currently pending.
+//
+// We allocate CPU interrupt lines 6..30 for use by peripherals via
+// interrupt.New().  Lines 0-5 are reserved (timer, software, etc.) and
+// line 31 is avoided because some hardware treats it specially.
+
+const (
+	// First / last allocatable CPU interrupt for peripherals.
+	firstCPUInt = 6
+	lastCPUInt  = 30
+)
+
+// cpuIntUsed tracks which CPU interrupt lines have been allocated.
+var cpuIntUsed [32]bool
+
+// cpuIntToPeripheral maps CPU interrupt number → peripheral IRQ source,
+// so that handleInterrupt can dispatch to the correct Go handler.
+var cpuIntToPeripheral [32]int
+
+// inInterrupt is set while we're inside the interrupt handler so that
+// interrupt.In() returns the correct value.
+var inInterrupt bool
+
+// Enable enables a CPU interrupt for the ESP32.  The caller must first
+// map the peripheral to a CPU interrupt line using the interrupt matrix,
+// e.g.:
+//
+//	esp.DPORT.PRO_TG_T0_LEVEL_INT_MAP.Set(cpuInt)
+//	interrupt.New(cpuInt, handler).Enable()
+func (i Interrupt) Enable() error {
+	if i.num < firstCPUInt || i.num > lastCPUInt {
+		return errInterruptRange
+	}
+
+	// Mark as used.
+	cpuIntUsed[i.num] = true
+
+	// Read current INTENABLE, set the bit for this CPU interrupt.
+	cur := readINTENABLE()
+	cur |= 1 << uint(i.num)
+	writeINTENABLE(cur)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// In returns whether the CPU is currently inside an interrupt handler.
+func In() bool {
+	return inInterrupt
+}
+
+// handleInterrupt is called from the assembly vector code in esp32-interrupts.S.
+// It determines which CPU interrupt(s) fired and dispatches to the
+// registered Go handlers.
+//
+//export handleInterrupt
+func handleInterrupt() {
+	inInterrupt = true
+
+	// INTERRUPT register shows pending + enabled CPU interrupts.
+	pending := readINTERRUPT()
+	enabled := readINTENABLE()
+	active := pending & enabled
+
+	// Clear edge-triggered pending bits before dispatching handlers so that
+	// new edges arriving during handler execution are not lost.  Writing to
+	// INTCLEAR is a no-op for level-triggered lines, so this is safe for all
+	// interrupt types.
+	writeINTCLEAR(active)
+
+	for i := firstCPUInt; i <= lastCPUInt; i++ {
+		if active&(1<<uint(i)) != 0 {
+			// callHandlers requires a compile-time constant, so we
+			// dispatch through a switch.
+			callHandler(i)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Signal to sleepTicks that an interrupt has occurred.
+	signalInterrupt()
+
+	inInterrupt = false
+}
+
+//go:inline
+func callHandler(n int) {
+	switch n {
+	case 6:
+		callHandlers(6)
+	case 7:
+		callHandlers(7)
+	case 8:
+		callHandlers(8)
+	case 9:
+		callHandlers(9)
+	case 10:
+		callHandlers(10)
+	case 11:
+		callHandlers(11)
+	case 12:
+		callHandlers(12)
+	case 13:
+		callHandlers(13)
+	case 14:
+		callHandlers(14)
+	case 15:
+		callHandlers(15)
+	case 16:
+		callHandlers(16)
+	case 17:
+		callHandlers(17)
+	case 18:
+		callHandlers(18)
+	case 19:
+		callHandlers(19)
+	case 20:
+		callHandlers(20)
+	case 21:
+		callHandlers(21)
+	case 22:
+		callHandlers(22)
+	case 23:
+		callHandlers(23)
+	case 24:
+		callHandlers(24)
+	case 25:
+		callHandlers(25)
+	case 26:
+		callHandlers(26)
+	case 27:
+		callHandlers(27)
+	case 28:
+		callHandlers(28)
+	case 29:
+		callHandlers(29)
+	case 30:
+		callHandlers(30)
+	}
+}
+
+// callHandlers dispatches to registered interrupt handlers for a given
+// interrupt number.
+//
+//go:linkname callHandlers runtime/interrupt.callHandlers
+func callHandlers(num int)
+
+//go:linkname signalInterrupt runtime.signalInterrupt
+func signalInterrupt()
+
+var errInterruptRange = constError("interrupt for ESP32 must be in range 6 through 30")
+
+type constError string
+
+func (e constError) Error() string {
+	return string(e)
+}
+
+// readINTENABLE reads the INTENABLE special register (SR 228).
+func readINTENABLE() uint32 {
+	return uint32(device.AsmFull("rsr {}, INTENABLE", nil))
+}
+
+// writeINTENABLE writes the INTENABLE special register (SR 228).
+func writeINTENABLE(val uint32) {
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {val}, INTENABLE", map[string]interface{}{
+		"val": val,
+	})
+}
+
+// readINTERRUPT reads the INTERRUPT special register (SR 226), which
+// reflects the currently pending CPU interrupts.
+func readINTERRUPT() uint32 {
+	return uint32(device.AsmFull("rsr {}, INTERRUPT", nil))
+}
+
+// writeINTCLEAR writes the INTCLEAR special register (SR 227).
+// Setting bit N clears CPU interrupt N if it is edge-triggered or
+// software-triggered.  Bits corresponding to level-triggered interrupts
+// are ignored by hardware.
+func writeINTCLEAR(val uint32) {
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {val}, INTCLEAR", map[string]interface{}{
+		"val": val,
+	})
+}
diff --git a/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_xtensa.go b/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_xtensa.go
index bbe70afb6..3595f8d6a 100644
--- a/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_xtensa.go
+++ b/src/runtime/interrupt/interrupt_xtensa.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build xtensa && !esp32s3
+//go:build xtensa && !esp32s3 && !esp32
 
 package interrupt
 
diff --git a/src/runtime/runtime_esp32.go b/src/runtime/runtime_esp32.go
index 2e734c5e5..cc2888e05 100644
--- a/src/runtime/runtime_esp32.go
+++ b/src/runtime/runtime_esp32.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"device"
 	"device/esp"
 	"machine"
+	"unsafe"
 )
 
 // This is the function called on startup right after the stack pointer has been
@@ -52,6 +53,12 @@ func main() {
 	// Initialize main system timer used for time.Now.
 	initTimer()
 
+	// Set up the Xtensa interrupt vector table.
+	interruptInit()
+
+	// Initialize timer alarm interrupt for the scheduler.
+	initTimerInterrupt()
+
 	// Initialize the heap, call main.main, etc.
 	run()
 
@@ -65,16 +72,47 @@ var _sbss [0]byte
 //go:extern _ebss
 var _ebss [0]byte
 
-// sleepTicks busy-waits until the given number of ticks have passed.
-func sleepTicks(d timeUnit) {
-	sleepUntil := ticks() + d
-	for ticks() < sleepUntil {
-		// TODO: suspend the CPU to not burn power here unnecessarily.
-	}
-}
+//go:extern _vector_table
+var _vector_table [0]uintptr
 
 func abort() {
 	for {
 		device.Asm("waiti 0")
 	}
 }
+
+// interruptInit installs the Xtensa vector table by writing its address
+// to the VECBASE special register and ensures all CPU interrupts are
+// initially disabled.
+func interruptInit() {
+	// Disable all CPU interrupts while we configure.
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {zero}, INTENABLE", map[string]interface{}{
+		"zero": uintptr(0),
+	})
+
+	// Write the vector table address to VECBASE (SR 231).
+	vecbase := uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&_vector_table))
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {vecbase}, VECBASE", map[string]interface{}{
+		"vecbase": vecbase,
+	})
+
+	// Clear PS.EXCM and PS.INTLEVEL so that level-1 interrupts can fire.
+	// The ROM bootloader leaves PS.EXCM=1 (exception mode), which masks
+	// all interrupts at level ≤ EXCMLEVEL (level 1 on ESP32).
+	// PS.INTLEVEL may also be non-zero. Both must be 0 for peripheral
+	// interrupts to trigger.
+	//
+	// We also set PS.UM=1 (bit 5) so that level-1 interrupts route to
+	// the User exception vector at VECBASE+0x340, where our handler lives.
+	// With PS.UM=0 (the ROM default), they would go to the Kernel exception
+	// vector at VECBASE+0x300 which is a reset stub.
+	ps := uintptr(device.AsmFull("rsr {}, PS", nil))
+	ps &^= 0x1F // clear INTLEVEL (bits 0-3) and EXCM (bit 4)
+	ps |= 0x20  // set PS.UM (bit 5) — use User exception vector
+	device.AsmFull("wsr {ps}, PS", map[string]interface{}{
+		"ps": ps,
+	})
+
+	// Synchronize pipeline after writing special registers.
+	device.Asm("rsync")
+}
diff --git a/src/runtime/runtime_esp32_timer.go b/src/runtime/runtime_esp32_timer.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..686d10e13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/runtime/runtime_esp32_timer.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+//go:build esp32
+
+package runtime
+
+import (
+	"device/esp"
+	"runtime/interrupt"
+	"runtime/volatile"
+)
+
+// CPU interrupt number used for the TIMG0 timer alarm.
+const timerAlarmCPUInterrupt = 9
+
+var interruptPending volatile.Register8
+
+func signalInterrupt() {
+	interruptPending.Set(1)
+}
+
+var timerAlarmInterrupt interrupt.Interrupt
+
+// timerAlarmHandler clears the timer interrupt at the peripheral level
+// and disables INT_ENA to prevent level-triggered re-assertion.
+func timerAlarmHandler(interrupt.Interrupt) {
+	esp.TIMG0.INT_ENA_TIMERS.ClearBits(1)
+	esp.TIMG0.INT_CLR_TIMERS.Set(1)
+}
+
+// initTimerInterrupt routes the TIMG0 timer 0 alarm interrupt to a CPU
+// interrupt and registers a handler that clears the alarm flag.
+func initTimerInterrupt() {
+	// Clear any stale timer interrupt before enabling.
+	esp.TIMG0.INT_CLR_TIMERS.Set(1)
+
+	// Map the TIMG0 T0 peripheral interrupt to a CPU interrupt line
+	// via the DPORT interrupt matrix.
+	esp.DPORT.PRO_TG_T0_LEVEL_INT_MAP.Set(timerAlarmCPUInterrupt)
+
+	// Register the interrupt handler and enable it once.
+	timerAlarmInterrupt = interrupt.New(timerAlarmCPUInterrupt, timerAlarmHandler)
+	timerAlarmInterrupt.Enable()
+}
+
+// sleepTicks spins until the given number of ticks have elapsed, using the
+// TIMG0 alarm interrupt to avoid busy-waiting for the entire duration.
+func sleepTicks(d timeUnit) {
+	target := ticks() + d
+	for ticks() < target {
+		// Set the alarm to fire at the target tick count.
+		interruptPending.Set(0)
+
+		esp.TIMG0.T0ALARMLO.Set(uint32(target))
+		esp.TIMG0.T0ALARMHI.Set(uint32(target >> 32))
+
+		// Enable the alarm (auto-clears when alarm fires).
+		esp.TIMG0.T0CONFIG.SetBits(esp.TIMG_T0CONFIG_ALARM_EN)
+
+		// Re-enable the timer interrupt (handler disables INT_ENA).
+		esp.TIMG0.INT_CLR_TIMERS.Set(1)
+		esp.TIMG0.INT_ENA_TIMERS.SetBits(1)
+
+		// Wait for any interrupt (timer alarm or other) or timeout.
+		for interruptPending.Get() == 0 {
+			if ticks() >= target {
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/targets/esp32-interrupts.S b/targets/esp32-interrupts.S
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f172b7d09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/targets/esp32-interrupts.S
@@ -0,0 +1,371 @@
+// Xtensa interrupt/exception vector table for the ESP32.
+//
+// The ESP32 uses an Xtensa LX6 core with the windowed register ABI.
+// Interrupt vectors are placed at fixed offsets from the VECBASE special
+// register.  We only handle level-1 (user) interrupts for now.
+//
+// Vector offsets (from ESP32 core-isa.h XCHAL definitions):
+//   0x000  Window overflow  4
+//   0x040  Window underflow 4
+//   0x080  Window overflow  8
+//   0x0C0  Window underflow 8
+//   0x100  Window overflow  12
+//   0x140  Window underflow 12
+//   0x180  Level-2 interrupt
+//   0x1C0  Level-3 interrupt
+//   0x200  Level-4 interrupt
+//   0x240  Level-5 interrupt
+//   0x280  Debug exception (level-6)
+//   0x2C0  NMI (level-7)
+//   0x300  Kernel exception
+//   0x340  User exception (level-1 interrupt)
+//   0x3C0  Double exception
+
+// PS register field definitions.
+#define PS_WOE           0x00040000
+#define PS_EXCM          0x00000010
+#define PS_INTLEVEL_MASK 0x0000000F
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Vector table — must be aligned to 0x400 (1024 bytes).
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .section .text.exception_vectors,"ax"
+    .global _vector_table
+    .balign 0x400
+_vector_table:
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x000 — Window overflow 4
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x000
+_window_overflow4:
+    s32e    a0, a5, -16
+    s32e    a1, a5, -12
+    s32e    a2, a5, -8
+    s32e    a3, a5, -4
+    rfwo
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x040 — Window underflow 4
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x040
+_window_underflow4:
+    l32e    a0, a5, -16
+    l32e    a1, a5, -12
+    l32e    a2, a5, -8
+    l32e    a3, a5, -4
+    rfwu
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x080 — Window overflow 8
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x080
+_window_overflow8:
+    s32e    a0, a9, -16
+    l32e    a0, a1, -12
+    s32e    a1, a9, -12
+    s32e    a2, a9, -8
+    s32e    a3, a9, -4
+    s32e    a4, a0, -32
+    s32e    a5, a0, -28
+    s32e    a6, a0, -24
+    s32e    a7, a0, -20
+    rfwo
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x0C0 — Window underflow 8
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x0C0
+_window_underflow8:
+    l32e    a0, a9, -16
+    l32e    a1, a9, -12
+    l32e    a2, a9, -8
+    l32e    a7, a1, -12
+    l32e    a3, a9, -4
+    l32e    a4, a7, -32
+    l32e    a5, a7, -28
+    l32e    a6, a7, -24
+    l32e    a7, a7, -20
+    rfwu
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x100 — Window overflow 12
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x100
+_window_overflow12:
+    s32e    a0,  a13, -16
+    l32e    a0,  a1,  -12
+    s32e    a1,  a13, -12
+    s32e    a2,  a13, -8
+    s32e    a3,  a13, -4
+    s32e    a4,  a0,  -48
+    s32e    a5,  a0,  -44
+    s32e    a6,  a0,  -40
+    s32e    a7,  a0,  -36
+    s32e    a8,  a0,  -32
+    s32e    a9,  a0,  -28
+    s32e    a10, a0,  -24
+    s32e    a11, a0,  -20
+    rfwo
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x140 — Window underflow 12
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x140
+_window_underflow12:
+    l32e    a0,  a13, -16
+    l32e    a1,  a13, -12
+    l32e    a2,  a13, -8
+    l32e    a11, a1,  -12
+    l32e    a3,  a13, -4
+    l32e    a4,  a11, -48
+    l32e    a5,  a11, -44
+    l32e    a6,  a11, -40
+    l32e    a7,  a11, -36
+    l32e    a8,  a11, -32
+    l32e    a9,  a11, -28
+    l32e    a10, a11, -24
+    l32e    a11, a11, -20
+    rfwu
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x180 — Level-2 interrupt (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x180
+_level2_vector:
+    j _level2_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x1C0 — Level-3 interrupt (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x1C0
+_level3_vector:
+    j _level3_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x200 — Level-4 interrupt (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x200
+_level4_vector:
+    j _level4_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x240 — Level-5 interrupt (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x240
+_level5_vector:
+    j _level5_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x280 — Debug exception / level-6 (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x280
+_debug_vector:
+    j _debug_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x2C0 — NMI / level-7 (stub — loops forever)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x2C0
+_nmi_vector:
+    j _nmi_vector
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x300 — Kernel exception
+// Writes EXCCAUSE+EPC1 to RTC STORE regs, then triggers software reset.
+// ESP32 RTC_CNTL base = 0x3FF48000, STORE0 offset = 0x4C.
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x300
+_kernel_vector:
+    j       _handle_kernel_exc     // jump to handler below table
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x340 — User exception / level-1 interrupt
+//
+// Save a0 and jump to the full handler below the vector table.
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x340
+    .global _level1_vector
+_level1_vector:
+    wsr     a0, EXCSAVE1        // save a0 — only scratch register available
+    j       _handle_level1      // jump to full handler (PC-relative, no literal pool)
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Offset 0x3C0 — Double exception (stub — halt)
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    .org _vector_table + 0x3C0
+_double_vector:
+    j       _double_vector      // halt
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Level-1 interrupt handler — lives outside the vector table so there
+// is no 64-byte size constraint.
+//
+// Saves the interrupted context on the current stack, clears PS.EXCM
+// (so window overflow/underflow work), calls the Go handleInterrupt
+// dispatcher, restores context, and returns via rfe.
+//
+// We call handleInterrupt via callx4 (window rotation by 4).  This is
+// required because:
+//   - callx0 does not set PS.CALLINC, so the Go function's "entry"
+//     instruction would use whatever CALLINC the interrupted code left,
+//     causing incorrect window rotation and a garbage stack pointer.
+//   - callx0 puts the return address in a0 with the raw PC (0x40xxx for
+//     IRAM), whose top 2 bits (01) cause retw to decrement WindowBase
+//     by 1 even though nothing was incremented.
+//
+// With callx4, CALLINC is explicitly set to 1 and the return address
+// in a4 has the top 2 bits set to 01 — matching the window rotation
+// that entry performs.  After retw, WindowBase is correctly restored.
+// Our a0..a3 (including a1, the frame pointer) are NOT in the callee's
+// register window (callee uses physical regs +4..+19), so a1 is
+// preserved across the call without needing EXCSAVE1.
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Literal data for l32r (must be at a lower address than the l32r).
+    .balign 4
+.LhandleInterrupt_addr:
+    .word   handleInterrupt
+.Lrtc_store0_addr:
+    .word   0x3FF4804C
+.Lrtc_options0_addr:
+    .word   0x3FF48000
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Kernel exception handler (out-of-table).
+// Writes diagnostic info to RTC STORE regs, triggers software reset.
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+_handle_kernel_exc:
+    l32r    a0, .Lrtc_store0_addr  // a0 = 0x3FF4804C (RTC_CNTL_STORE0)
+    rsr     a1, EXCCAUSE
+    movi    a2, 0x555
+    slli    a2, a2, 20             // a2 = 0x55500000
+    movi    a3, 6
+    slli    a3, a3, 16             // a3 = 0x00060000
+    or      a2, a2, a3             // a2 = 0x55560000
+    or      a1, a2, a1             // a1 = 0x5556xxxx (magic + cause)
+    s32i    a1, a0, 0              // STORE0
+    rsr     a1, EPC1
+    s32i    a1, a0, 4              // STORE1 = EPC1
+    // Trigger software system reset (preserves RTC STORE regs).
+    // RTC_CNTL_OPTIONS0 = 0x3FF48000, bit 31 = SW_SYS_RST
+    l32r    a0, .Lrtc_options0_addr
+    l32i    a1, a0, 0
+    movi    a2, 1
+    slli    a2, a2, 31
+    or      a1, a1, a2
+    s32i    a1, a0, 0              // trigger reset
+1:  j       1b                     // wait for reset
+
+    .global _handle_level1
+_handle_level1:
+    // --- allocate 96-byte exception frame on the interrupted stack ---
+    // Layout (offsets from a1 after adjustment):
+    //   0: a0   4: a1(orig)  8: a2  12: a3  16: a4  20: a5
+    //  24: a6  28: a7  32: a8  36: a9  40: a10 44: a11
+    //  48: a12 52: a13 56: a14 60: a15
+    //  64: SAR 68: EPC1  72: PS
+    addi    a0, a1, -96         // a0 = new frame pointer
+    s32i    a1, a0, 4           // save original a1 (SP)
+    mov     a1, a0              // a1 = frame pointer
+
+    rsr     a0, EXCSAVE1        // recover original a0
+    s32i    a0, a1, 0           // save original a0
+
+    // Save general registers a2..a15.
+    s32i    a2,  a1, 8
+    s32i    a3,  a1, 12
+    s32i    a4,  a1, 16
+    s32i    a5,  a1, 20
+    s32i    a6,  a1, 24
+    s32i    a7,  a1, 28
+    s32i    a8,  a1, 32
+    s32i    a9,  a1, 36
+    s32i    a10, a1, 40
+    s32i    a11, a1, 44
+    s32i    a12, a1, 48
+    s32i    a13, a1, 52
+    s32i    a14, a1, 56
+    s32i    a15, a1, 60
+
+    // Save special registers.
+    rsr     a2, SAR
+    s32i    a2, a1, 64
+    rsr     a2, EPC1
+    s32i    a2, a1, 68
+
+    // Clear PS.EXCM (bit 4) so window overflow/underflow exceptions work
+    // during the Go call. Set PS.INTLEVEL=1 to prevent re-entry of
+    // level-1 interrupts.
+    rsr     a2, PS
+    s32i    a2, a1, 72          // save PS (with EXCM=1 set by hardware)
+    movi    a3, ~0x1F           // mask: clear INTLEVEL (bits 0-3) + EXCM (bit 4)
+    and     a2, a2, a3
+    movi    a3, 1               // INTLEVEL = 1
+    or      a2, a2, a3
+    wsr     a2, PS
+    rsync
+
+    // Check if this is an exception (not an interrupt).
+    // EXCCAUSE == 4 means level-1 interrupt; anything else is an exception.
+    rsr     a2, EXCCAUSE
+    movi    a3, 4
+    beq     a2, a3, .Lis_interrupt
+
+    // --- It's an exception, not an interrupt ---
+    // Halt: loop forever (no user exception handler on ESP32 by default).
+    j       .Lexception_halt
+
+.Lis_interrupt:
+
+    // Call the Go interrupt dispatcher via callx4.
+    // callx4 explicitly sets PS.CALLINC=1 and puts the return address
+    // (with top 2 bits = 01) in a4.  After entry rotates the window by
+    // 4, the callee sees:  a0 = our a4 (return addr), a1 = our a5 - N.
+    // We set a5 = our frame pointer so the callee gets a valid stack.
+    mov     a5, a1
+    l32r    a2, .LhandleInterrupt_addr
+    callx4  a2
+    // After retw, WindowBase is restored.  a0..a3 are preserved because
+    // they are outside the callee's register window.
+
+    // --- restore context ---
+
+    // Restore PS (restores EXCM=1).
+    l32i    a2, a1, 72
+    wsr     a2, PS
+    rsync
+
+    // Restore special registers.
+    l32i    a2, a1, 64
+    wsr     a2, SAR
+    l32i    a2, a1, 68
+    wsr     a2, EPC1
+
+    // Restore general registers a15..a2.
+    l32i    a15, a1, 60
+    l32i    a14, a1, 56
+    l32i    a13, a1, 52
+    l32i    a12, a1, 48
+    l32i    a11, a1, 44
+    l32i    a10, a1, 40
+    l32i    a9,  a1, 36
+    l32i    a8,  a1, 32
+    l32i    a7,  a1, 28
+    l32i    a6,  a1, 24
+    l32i    a5,  a1, 20
+    l32i    a4,  a1, 16
+    l32i    a3,  a1, 12
+    l32i    a2,  a1, 8
+
+    // Restore a0 and a1 (a1 must be last since it is the frame pointer).
+    l32i    a0, a1, 0
+    l32i    a1, a1, 4           // restores original SP (deallocates frame)
+
+    rfe
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Exception halt: infinite loop for unhandled exceptions.
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+.Lexception_halt:
+    waiti   0
+    j       .Lexception_halt
diff --git a/targets/esp32.json b/targets/esp32.json
index 2c7abd699..73215a96a 100644
--- a/targets/esp32.json
+++ b/targets/esp32.json
@@ -7,12 +7,13 @@
 	"scheduler": "tasks",
 	"serial": "uart",
 	"linker": "ld.lld",
-	"default-stack-size": 2048,
+	"default-stack-size": 8192,
 	"rtlib": "compiler-rt",
 	"libc": "picolibc",
 	"linkerscript": "targets/esp32.ld",
 	"extra-files": [
 		"src/device/esp/esp32.S",
+		"targets/esp32-interrupts.S",
 		"src/internal/task/task_stack_esp32.S"
 	],
 	"binary-format": "esp32",
diff --git a/targets/esp32.ld b/targets/esp32.ld
index 6818ce319..2d71a162d 100644
--- a/targets/esp32.ld
+++ b/targets/esp32.ld
@@ -31,6 +31,15 @@ SECTIONS
     {
         *(.literal.call_start_cpu0)
         *(.text.call_start_cpu0)
+
+        /* Xtensa exception/interrupt vector table — must be 0x400-aligned */
+        . = ALIGN(0x400);
+        *(.text.exception_vectors)
+
+        /* Level-1 interrupt handler */
+        *(.literal._handle_level1)
+        *(.text._handle_level1)
+
         *(.literal .text)
         *(.literal.* .text.*)
     } >IRAM