diff --git a/pkg/espflasher/flasher.go b/pkg/espflasher/flasher.go
index 32ea28a..197fbc9 100644
--- a/pkg/espflasher/flasher.go
+++ b/pkg/espflasher/flasher.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"runtime"
 	"time"
 
 	"go.bug.st/serial"
@@ -267,10 +268,26 @@ func (f *Flasher) connect() error {
 		// Reset the chip into bootloader mode
 		switch f.opts.ResetMode {
 		case ResetDefault:
-			if attempt%2 == 0 {
-				classicReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+			// On Unix systems (darwin, linux), use the esptool sequence:
+			// unixTightReset with 50ms, then 550ms, then fallback to classic resets
+			if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" || runtime.GOOS == "linux" {
+				switch attempt % 4 {
+				case 0:
+					unixTightReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+				case 1:
+					unixTightReset(f.port, extraResetDelay)
+				case 2:
+					classicReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+				case 3:
+					classicReset(f.port, extraResetDelay)
+				}
 			} else {
-				tightReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+				// On other systems, use classic and tight reset alternation
+				if attempt%2 == 0 {
+					classicReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+				} else {
+					tightReset(f.port, defaultResetDelay)
+				}
 			}
 		case ResetUSBJTAG:
 			if f.connectViaUSBJTAG() {
diff --git a/pkg/espflasher/reset.go b/pkg/espflasher/reset.go
index e4a2227..c1df86b 100644
--- a/pkg/espflasher/reset.go
+++ b/pkg/espflasher/reset.go
@@ -29,12 +29,33 @@ const (
 
 const (
 	// defaultResetDelay is the standard delay during reset sequences.
-	defaultResetDelay = 100 * time.Millisecond
+	// Matches esptool.py's DEFAULT_RESET_DELAY.
+	defaultResetDelay = 50 * time.Millisecond
 
-	// tightResetDelay is a shorter delay for Unix systems.
-	tightResetDelay = 50 * time.Millisecond
+	// extraResetDelay is used for longer-duration reset cycles on some devices.
+	extraResetDelay = 550 * time.Millisecond
 )
 
+// setDTRandRTS sets DTR and RTS simultaneously.
+// On Unix systems (darwin, linux), uses atomic TIOCMSET ioctl to set both lines
+// in a single operation. This is important for CH340 boards that require precise
+// timing of the DTR/RTS transition.
+// On other systems, falls back to separate SetDTR and SetRTS calls.
+func setDTRandRTS(port serial.Port, dtr, rts bool) error {
+	// On Unix systems, try to use atomic TIOCMSET for precise timing
+	err := setDTRandRTSAtomic(port, dtr, rts)
+	if err == nil {
+		// Atomic operation succeeded
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Fallback: use separate calls (always used on non-Unix, used on Unix if atomic fails)
+	if err := port.SetDTR(dtr); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return port.SetRTS(rts)
+}
+
 // classicReset performs the classic DTR/RTS bootloader entry sequence.
 //
 // This is the standard reset sequence used by most USB-UART bridges:
@@ -59,12 +80,38 @@ func classicReset(port serial.Port, delay time.Duration) {
 	// IO0=LOW (request bootloader), EN=HIGH (release reset)
 	port.SetDTR(true)  //nolint:errcheck
 	port.SetRTS(false) //nolint:errcheck
-	time.Sleep(tightResetDelay)
+	time.Sleep(defaultResetDelay)
 
 	// IO0=HIGH (release GPIO0)
 	port.SetDTR(false) //nolint:errcheck
 }
 
+// unixTightReset performs the esptool.py UnixTightReset sequence.
+// This uses atomic DTR/RTS transitions for precise timing on Unix systems.
+// It matches esptool.py's reset sequence to better support CH340 boards on macOS/Linux.
+//
+// Sequence (using atomic setDTRandRTS where possible):
+//  1. setDTRandRTS(false, false) - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH (idle)
+//  2. setDTRandRTS(true, true)   - IO0=LOW, EN=LOW
+//  3. setDTRandRTS(false, true)  - IO0=HIGH, EN=LOW (chip held in reset)
+//  4. Sleep 100ms
+//  5. setDTRandRTS(true, false)  - IO0=LOW, EN=HIGH (bootloader mode)
+//  6. Sleep delay ms
+//  7. setDTRandRTS(false, false) - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH
+//  8. SetDTR(false) - ensure IO0 is released
+func unixTightReset(port serial.Port, delay time.Duration) {
+	setDTRandRTS(port, false, false) //nolint:errcheck
+	setDTRandRTS(port, true, true)   //nolint:errcheck
+	setDTRandRTS(port, false, true)  //nolint:errcheck
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	setDTRandRTS(port, true, false) //nolint:errcheck
+	time.Sleep(delay)
+
+	setDTRandRTS(port, false, false) //nolint:errcheck
+	port.SetDTR(false)               //nolint:errcheck
+}
+
 // tightReset performs a tighter reset timing variant.
 // Some Linux serial drivers need DTR and RTS set simultaneously.
 func tightReset(port serial.Port, delay time.Duration) {
@@ -80,7 +127,7 @@ func tightReset(port serial.Port, delay time.Duration) {
 	// Release: IO0=LOW (bootloader), EN=HIGH (run)
 	port.SetDTR(false) //nolint:errcheck
 	port.SetRTS(false) //nolint:errcheck
-	time.Sleep(tightResetDelay)
+	time.Sleep(defaultResetDelay)
 
 	port.SetDTR(false) //nolint:errcheck
 }
diff --git a/pkg/espflasher/reset_nonunix.go b/pkg/espflasher/reset_nonunix.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b77d4e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/espflasher/reset_nonunix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//go:build !darwin && !linux
+
+package espflasher
+
+import "errors"
+
+var errNoHandle = errors.New("atomic TIOCMSET not available on this platform")
+
+// setDTRandRTSAtomic is not available on non-Unix platforms.
+// Non-Unix systems will always fall back to separate SetDTR/SetRTS calls.
+func setDTRandRTSAtomic(port interface{}, dtr, rts bool) error {
+	return errNoHandle
+}
diff --git a/pkg/espflasher/reset_test.go b/pkg/espflasher/reset_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..912c144
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/espflasher/reset_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+package espflasher
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"go.bug.st/serial"
+)
+
+// recordingPort tracks all calls to SetDTR and SetRTS for testing.
+// Each call is recorded as a separate event to allow testing the order and
+// combinations of line state transitions.
+type recordingPort struct {
+	dtrCalls []bool
+	rtsCalls []bool
+}
+
+func (r *recordingPort) SetDTR(dtr bool) error {
+	r.dtrCalls = append(r.dtrCalls, dtr)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *recordingPort) SetRTS(rts bool) error {
+	r.rtsCalls = append(r.rtsCalls, rts)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *recordingPort) Write(p []byte) (int, error)                           { return len(p), nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) Read(p []byte) (int, error)                            { return 0, nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) SetMode(mode *serial.Mode) error                       { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) SetReadTimeout(t time.Duration) error                  { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) SetWriteTimeout(t time.Duration) error                 { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) Close() error                                          { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) ResetInputBuffer() error                               { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) ResetOutputBuffer() error                              { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) GetModemStatusBits() (*serial.ModemStatusBits, error) { return nil, nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) Break(t time.Duration) error                           { return nil }
+func (r *recordingPort) Drain() error                                          { return nil }
+
+// TestClassicReset verifies the classic reset sequence.
+func TestClassicReset(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	classicReset(port, defaultResetDelay)
+
+	// Classic reset sequence:
+	// 1. SetDTR(false), SetRTS(true)   - IO0=HIGH, EN=LOW (hold in reset)
+	// 2. SetDTR(true), SetRTS(false)   - IO0=LOW, EN=HIGH (bootloader)
+	// 3. SetDTR(false)                 - IO0=HIGH
+
+	// Verify we have DTR calls (SetDTR is called 3 times)
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.dtrCalls), 2, "should call SetDTR multiple times")
+
+	// Verify we have RTS calls (SetRTS is called 2 times)
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.rtsCalls), 2, "should call SetRTS multiple times")
+
+	// Verify first DTR is false (IO0=HIGH)
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.dtrCalls[0], "first SetDTR should be false")
+
+	// Verify first RTS is true (EN=LOW, chip held in reset)
+	assert.Equal(t, true, port.rtsCalls[0], "first SetRTS should be true")
+
+	// Verify second DTR is true (IO0=LOW for bootloader mode)
+	assert.Equal(t, true, port.dtrCalls[1], "second SetDTR should be true")
+
+	// Verify second RTS is false (EN=HIGH, release reset)
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.rtsCalls[1], "second SetRTS should be false")
+}
+
+// TestUnixTightReset verifies the Unix tight reset sequence.
+func TestUnixTightReset(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	unixTightReset(port, defaultResetDelay)
+
+	// UnixTightReset sequence using setDTRandRTS:
+	// 1. setDTRandRTS(false, false) - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH
+	// 2. setDTRandRTS(true, true)   - IO0=LOW, EN=LOW
+	// 3. setDTRandRTS(false, true)  - IO0=HIGH, EN=LOW
+	// 4. setDTRandRTS(true, false)  - IO0=LOW, EN=HIGH (bootloader mode)
+	// 5. setDTRandRTS(false, false) - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH
+	// 6. SetDTR(false)
+
+	// Should have multiple DTR and RTS calls
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.dtrCalls), 4, "should have multiple DTR calls")
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.rtsCalls), 4, "should have multiple RTS calls")
+
+	// Verify bootloader mode is reached (DTR=true, RTS=false at indices matching)
+	// Look for the pattern where DTR becomes true before RTS becomes false
+	dtrTrueIdx := -1
+	rtsFalseIdx := -1
+	for i, val := range port.dtrCalls {
+		if val && dtrTrueIdx == -1 {
+			dtrTrueIdx = i
+		}
+	}
+	for i, val := range port.rtsCalls {
+		if !val && rtsFalseIdx == -1 {
+			rtsFalseIdx = i
+		}
+	}
+
+	assert.NotEqual(t, -1, dtrTrueIdx, "should set DTR=true")
+	assert.NotEqual(t, -1, rtsFalseIdx, "should set RTS=false")
+}
+
+// TestTightReset verifies the tight reset sequence.
+func TestTightReset(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	tightReset(port, defaultResetDelay)
+
+	// TightReset sequence:
+	// 1. SetDTR(false), SetRTS(false)   - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH
+	// 2. SetDTR(true), SetRTS(true)    - IO0=LOW, EN=LOW
+	// 3. SetDTR(false), SetRTS(false)  - IO0=HIGH, EN=HIGH (release)
+
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.dtrCalls), 2, "should have at least 2 DTR calls")
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, len(port.rtsCalls), 2, "should have at least 2 RTS calls")
+
+	// Verify initial state
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.dtrCalls[0], "first SetDTR should be false")
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.rtsCalls[0], "first SetRTS should be false")
+}
+
+// TestSetDTRandRTS verifies the setDTRandRTS helper.
+func TestSetDTRandRTS(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	err := setDTRandRTS(port, true, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Should call SetDTR(true) and SetRTS(false)
+	assert.True(t, len(port.dtrCalls) > 0, "should call SetDTR")
+	assert.True(t, len(port.rtsCalls) > 0, "should call SetRTS")
+	assert.Equal(t, true, port.dtrCalls[len(port.dtrCalls)-1], "last DTR call should be true")
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.rtsCalls[len(port.rtsCalls)-1], "last RTS call should be false")
+}
+
+// TestSetDTRandRTSBothTrue verifies setting both high.
+func TestSetDTRandRTSBothTrue(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	err := setDTRandRTS(port, true, true)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, true, port.dtrCalls[len(port.dtrCalls)-1], "last DTR call should be true")
+	assert.Equal(t, true, port.rtsCalls[len(port.rtsCalls)-1], "last RTS call should be true")
+}
+
+// TestSetDTRandRTSBothFalse verifies setting both low.
+func TestSetDTRandRTSBothFalse(t *testing.T) {
+	port := &recordingPort{}
+	err := setDTRandRTS(port, false, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.dtrCalls[len(port.dtrCalls)-1], "last DTR call should be false")
+	assert.Equal(t, false, port.rtsCalls[len(port.rtsCalls)-1], "last RTS call should be false")
+}
+
+// TestResetDelayConstants verifies the reset delay constants.
+func TestResetDelayConstants(t *testing.T) {
+	// Verify constants match esptool expectations
+	assert.Equal(t, 50*time.Millisecond, defaultResetDelay, "defaultResetDelay should be 50ms")
+	assert.Equal(t, 550*time.Millisecond, extraResetDelay, "extraResetDelay should be 550ms")
+}
diff --git a/pkg/espflasher/reset_unix.go b/pkg/espflasher/reset_unix.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a42a661
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/espflasher/reset_unix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+//go:build darwin || linux
+
+package espflasher
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+var errNoHandle = errors.New("port does not have accessible file descriptor")
+
+// setDTRandRTSAtomic performs an atomic TIOCMSET ioctl on Unix systems.
+// It attempts to use the underlying file descriptor to set DTR and RTS
+// simultaneously, which is important for precise timing on CH340 boards.
+// Returns errNoHandle if the port doesn't have an accessible fd (signals to try separate calls).
+func setDTRandRTSAtomic(port interface{}, dtr, rts bool) error {
+	// Try to get the underlying file descriptor via type assertion.
+	// go.bug.st/serial's unixPort has a handle field (int), but it's unexported.
+	// We'll use reflect to access it.
+	v := reflect.ValueOf(port)
+	if v.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
+		v = v.Elem()
+	}
+
+	// Look for a field named "handle" (fd)
+	handleField := v.FieldByName("handle")
+	if !handleField.IsValid() || handleField.Kind() != reflect.Int {
+		// Field doesn't exist or wrong type; caller will fall back to separate calls
+		return errNoHandle
+	}
+
+	fd := int(handleField.Int())
+
+	// Build the TIOCMSET bitmask
+	var status int
+	if dtr {
+		status |= unix.TIOCM_DTR
+	}
+	if rts {
+		status |= unix.TIOCM_RTS
+	}
+
+	// Perform the atomic ioctl
+	return unix.IoctlSetPointerInt(fd, unix.TIOCMSET, status)
+}