diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index f5b0c6e..51e3745 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ heltec_v3 = [
   "dep:esp-println",
   "dep:esp-rtos",
 ]
+heltec_v3_uart = [
+  "dep:esp-backtrace",
+  "dep:esp-hal",
+  "dep:esp-println",
+  "dep:esp-rtos",
+]
 heltec_v4 = [
   "dep:esp-backtrace",
   "dep:esp-hal",
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 419f276..f997b62 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -18,11 +18,39 @@ All commands are run from the `firmware/` directory.
 
 ## Supported Boards
 
-| Board | MCU | Radio | Target |
-|-------|-----|-------|--------|
-| Heltec V3 | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf |
-| Heltec V4 | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf |
-| RAK WisBlock 4631 | nRF52840 | SX1262 | thumbv7em-none-eabihf |
+| Board | Feature | MCU | Radio | USB | Target |
+|-------|---------|-----|-------|-----|--------|
+| Heltec V3 | `heltec_v3` | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | Native CDC-ACM | xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf |
+| Heltec V3 (UART) | `heltec_v3_uart` | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | CP2102 bridge | xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf |
+| Heltec V4 | `heltec_v4` | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | Native CDC-ACM | xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf |
+| RAK WisBlock 4631 | `rak_wisblock_4631` | nRF52840 | SX1262 | Native CDC-ACM | thumbv7em-none-eabihf |
+| Wio Tracker L1 | `wio_tracker_l1` | nRF52840 | SX1262 | Native CDC-ACM | thumbv7em-none-eabihf |
+
+### Heltec V3 USB Note
+
+The default `heltec_v3` build uses **native USB CDC-ACM**, which requires a
+hardware modification to your board. Stock Heltec V3 boards route USB through a
+CP2102 bridge chip to UART — the ESP32-S3's native USB pins (GPIO19/GPIO20) are
+routed to header pins but not connected to the USB connector.
+
+**To enable native USB on a Heltec V3:**
+
+1. Solder 0-ohm (or 22-ohm) resistors at pads **R29** (D+) and **R3** (D-)
+2. Disconnect the CP2102 from the USB connector's D+/D- lines (cut traces or
+   remove the CP2102 bridge resistors)
+
+After this mod, the board appears as `/dev/ttyACM0` with the DongLoRa VID:PID
+(1209:5741), just like the V4 and nRF boards.
+
+**If you have a stock (unmodified) V3**, use `heltec_v3_uart` instead:
+
+```sh
+just build heltec_v3_uart
+just flash heltec_v3_uart
+```
+
+This builds firmware that communicates via the CP2102 bridge (appears as
+`/dev/ttyUSB0`).
 
 ## Adding a Board
 
diff --git a/justfile b/justfile
index 5936206..cb60c4d 100644
--- a/justfile
+++ b/justfile
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ set shell := ["bash", "-c"]
 # Board definitions: feature target chip
 # Xtensa targets use nightly cargo + esp rustc + -Zbuild-std=core.
 # Tool versions are pinned in mise.toml; run `just setup` to install everything.
-heltec_v3 := "heltec_v3 xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf esp32s3"
-heltec_v4 := "heltec_v4 xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf esp32s3"
+heltec_v3      := "heltec_v3 xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf esp32s3"
+heltec_v3_uart := "heltec_v3_uart xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf esp32s3"
+heltec_v4      := "heltec_v4 xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf esp32s3"
 rak_wisblock_4631  := "rak_wisblock_4631 thumbv7em-none-eabihf nRF52840_xxAA"
 wio_tracker_l1     := "wio_tracker_l1 thumbv7em-none-eabihf nRF52840_xxAA"
 
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ builds_dir := "builds"
 version := `sed -n 's/^version = "\(.*\)"/\1/p' Cargo.toml`
 
 # All known boards
-boards := "heltec_v3 heltec_v4 rak_wisblock_4631 wio_tracker_l1"
+boards := "heltec_v3 heltec_v3_uart heltec_v4 rak_wisblock_4631 wio_tracker_l1"
 
 # Install all required tools and toolchains
 setup:
@@ -203,6 +204,7 @@ _flash_uf2 board:
 [private]
 _info name:
     @if [ "{{name}}" == "heltec_v3" ]; then echo "{{heltec_v3}}"; \
+     elif [ "{{name}}" == "heltec_v3_uart" ]; then echo "{{heltec_v3_uart}}"; \
      elif [ "{{name}}" == "heltec_v4" ]; then echo "{{heltec_v4}}"; \
      elif [ "{{name}}" == "rak_wisblock_4631" ]; then echo "{{rak_wisblock_4631}}"; \
      elif [ "{{name}}" == "wio_tracker_l1" ]; then echo "{{wio_tracker_l1}}"; \
diff --git a/src/board/esp32s3.rs b/src/board/esp32s3.rs
index 34c2670..f6b522e 100644
--- a/src/board/esp32s3.rs
+++ b/src/board/esp32s3.rs
@@ -32,12 +32,12 @@ pub struct RadioParts {
     pub delay: Delay,
 }
 
-#[cfg(not(feature = "heltec_v3"))]
+#[allow(dead_code)] // Not used by heltec_v3_uart
 pub struct UsbParts {
     pub driver: UsbDriver,
 }
 
-#[cfg(feature = "heltec_v3")]
+#[allow(dead_code)] // Only used by heltec_v3_uart
 pub struct UartParts {
     pub driver: UartDriver,
 }
diff --git a/src/board/heltec_v3.rs b/src/board/heltec_v3.rs
index 2e506dd..005bc8d 100644
--- a/src/board/heltec_v3.rs
+++ b/src/board/heltec_v3.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+//! Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 — native USB (requires hardware mod).
+//!
+//! Stock V3 boards route USB through a CP2102 bridge to UART. To use native
+//! USB CDC-ACM, solder R29 (D+) and R3 (D-) on the PCB and disconnect the
+//! CP2102 from the USB data lines. See the project README for details.
+//!
+//! For stock (unmodified) V3 boards, use the `heltec_v3_uart` feature instead.
+
 use esp_hal::gpio::{Level, Output, OutputConfig};
 
 use super::esp32s3;
@@ -6,8 +14,8 @@ use crate::hal::esp32s3 as mcu;
 
 #[allow(unused_imports)] // Re-exported for other modules (display, radio, host tasks)
 pub use super::esp32s3::{
-    create_display, DisplayDriver, DisplayI2c, DisplayParts, RadioDriver, RadioParts, UartDriver,
-    UartParts,
+    create_display, DisplayDriver, DisplayI2c, DisplayParts, RadioDriver, RadioParts, UsbDriver,
+    UsbParts,
 };
 
 pub struct Board {
@@ -19,7 +27,7 @@ impl LoRaBoard for Board {
     const TX_POWER_RANGE: (i8, i8) = (-9, 22);
 
     type RadioParts = RadioParts;
-    type CommParts = UartParts;
+    type CommParts = UsbParts;
     type DisplayParts = DisplayParts;
     type DisplayDriver = DisplayDriver;
 
@@ -32,7 +40,7 @@ impl LoRaBoard for Board {
         mcu::mac_address()
     }
 
-    fn into_parts(self) -> BoardParts<RadioParts, UartParts, DisplayParts> {
+    fn into_parts(self) -> BoardParts<RadioParts, UsbParts, DisplayParts> {
         let p = self.p;
 
         mcu::start_timer(p.TIMG0);
@@ -43,8 +51,11 @@ impl LoRaBoard for Board {
 
         let spi_bus = mcu::init_spi(p.SPI2, p.DMA_CH0, p.GPIO9, p.GPIO10, p.GPIO11);
         let radio = esp32s3::init_radio(spi_bus, p.GPIO8, p.GPIO12, p.GPIO14, p.GPIO13);
-        let host = UartParts {
-            driver: mcu::init_uart(p.UART0, p.GPIO43, p.GPIO44),
+
+        // Note: switches internal USB PHY from Serial-JTAG to OTG.
+        // espflash --monitor will stop working after this point.
+        let host = UsbParts {
+            driver: mcu::init_usb(p.USB0, p.GPIO20, p.GPIO19),
         };
 
         // SSD1306 display reset: pulse GPIO21 low->high before I2C init
diff --git a/src/board/heltec_v3_uart.rs b/src/board/heltec_v3_uart.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..662bb7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/board/heltec_v3_uart.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+//! Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 — stock UART (via CP2102 bridge).
+//!
+//! This is for unmodified V3 boards where USB goes through the CP2102
+//! bridge to UART0. The board appears as /dev/ttyUSB* (not ttyACM*).
+//!
+//! If you've done the hardware mod (solder R29/R3, disconnect CP2102),
+//! use the `heltec_v3` feature instead for native USB CDC-ACM support.
+
+use esp_hal::gpio::{Level, Output, OutputConfig};
+
+use super::esp32s3;
+use super::traits::{BoardParts, LoRaBoard};
+use crate::hal::esp32s3 as mcu;
+
+#[allow(unused_imports)] // Re-exported for other modules (display, radio, host tasks)
+pub use super::esp32s3::{
+    create_display, DisplayDriver, DisplayI2c, DisplayParts, RadioDriver, RadioParts, UartDriver,
+    UartParts,
+};
+
+pub struct Board {
+    p: esp_hal::peripherals::Peripherals,
+}
+
+impl LoRaBoard for Board {
+    const NAME: &'static str = "Heltec V3 (UART)";
+    const TX_POWER_RANGE: (i8, i8) = (-9, 22);
+
+    type RadioParts = RadioParts;
+    type CommParts = UartParts;
+    type DisplayParts = DisplayParts;
+    type DisplayDriver = DisplayDriver;
+
+    fn init() -> Self {
+        let p = esp_hal::init(esp_hal::Config::default());
+        Self { p }
+    }
+
+    fn mac_address() -> [u8; 6] {
+        mcu::mac_address()
+    }
+
+    fn into_parts(self) -> BoardParts<RadioParts, UartParts, DisplayParts> {
+        let p = self.p;
+
+        mcu::start_timer(p.TIMG0);
+
+        // Vext power: GPIO36, active LOW to enable peripherals
+        let vext = Output::new(p.GPIO36, Level::Low, OutputConfig::default());
+        core::mem::forget(vext);
+
+        let spi_bus = mcu::init_spi(p.SPI2, p.DMA_CH0, p.GPIO9, p.GPIO10, p.GPIO11);
+        let radio = esp32s3::init_radio(spi_bus, p.GPIO8, p.GPIO12, p.GPIO14, p.GPIO13);
+        let host = UartParts {
+            driver: mcu::init_uart(p.UART0, p.GPIO43, p.GPIO44),
+        };
+
+        // SSD1306 display reset: pulse GPIO21 low->high before I2C init
+        let mut display_rst = Output::new(p.GPIO21, Level::Low, OutputConfig::default());
+        esp_hal::delay::Delay::new().delay_millis(10);
+        display_rst.set_high();
+        esp_hal::delay::Delay::new().delay_millis(10);
+        core::mem::forget(display_rst);
+
+        let i2c = mcu::init_i2c(p.I2C0, p.GPIO17, p.GPIO18);
+        let display = Some(DisplayParts { i2c });
+
+        BoardParts {
+            radio,
+            host,
+            display,
+            mac: Self::mac_address(),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/hal/mod.rs b/src/hal/mod.rs
index d430ab3..372fea3 100644
--- a/src/hal/mod.rs
+++ b/src/hal/mod.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! Each submodule provides low-level bus and peripheral init for one MCU family.
 //! Board files call these with specific pins and construct higher-level drivers.
 
-#[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v4"))]
+#[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v3_uart", feature = "heltec_v4"))]
 pub mod esp32s3;
 
 #[cfg(any(feature = "rak_wisblock_4631", feature = "wio_tracker_l1"))]
diff --git a/src/host/mod.rs b/src/host/mod.rs
index 49e0cd8..15467ba 100644
--- a/src/host/mod.rs
+++ b/src/host/mod.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 pub mod framing;
 
 cfg_if::cfg_if! {
-    if #[cfg(feature = "heltec_v3")] {
+    if #[cfg(feature = "heltec_v3_uart")] {
         mod uart;
         pub use uart::host_task;
     } else {
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 02c1aaa..c17b4b3 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ cfg_if::cfg_if! {
     if #[cfg(any(feature = "rak_wisblock_4631", feature = "wio_tracker_l1"))] {
         use defmt_rtt as _;
         use panic_probe as _;
-    } else if #[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v4"))] {
+    } else if #[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v3_uart", feature = "heltec_v4"))] {
         use esp_backtrace as _;
         use esp_println as _;
     }
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ cfg_if::cfg_if! {
         async fn main(spawner: Spawner) {
             run(spawner).await;
         }
-    } else if #[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v4"))] {
+    } else if #[cfg(any(feature = "heltec_v3", feature = "heltec_v3_uart", feature = "heltec_v4"))] {
         #[esp_rtos::main]
         async fn main(spawner: Spawner) {
             run(spawner).await;