diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6e7b8d65eb0..2b918c4df3f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ venv
 
 # gRPC client example folder
 /client_example/client_example
-*.bin
-*.elf
+/client_example/**/*.bin
+/client_example/**/*.elf
 
 # Misc.
 .DS_Store
diff --git a/arduino/sketches/sketches.go b/arduino/sketches/sketches.go
index 10627920d80..601853f1590 100644
--- a/arduino/sketches/sketches.go
+++ b/arduino/sketches/sketches.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
 // Sketch is a sketch for Arduino
@@ -43,9 +44,17 @@ type BoardMetadata struct {
 
 // NewSketchFromPath loads a sketch from the specified path
 func NewSketchFromPath(path *paths.Path) (*Sketch, error) {
+	path, err := path.Abs()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("getting sketch path: %s", err)
+	}
 	if !path.IsDir() {
 		path = path.Parent()
 	}
+	sketchFile := path.Join(path.Base() + ".ino")
+	if !sketchFile.Exist() {
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("no valid sketch found in %s: missing %s", path, sketchFile.Base())
+	}
 	sketch := &Sketch{
 		FullPath: path,
 		Name:     path.Base(),
diff --git a/cli/upload/upload.go b/cli/upload/upload.go
index 1a598dae0a1..3922ba2f4a3 100644
--- a/cli/upload/upload.go
+++ b/cli/upload/upload.go
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ var (
 	verbose    bool
 	verify     bool
 	importDir  string
+	importFile string
 	programmer string
 )
 
@@ -47,12 +48,14 @@ func NewCommand() *cobra.Command {
 		Long:    "Upload Arduino sketches. This does NOT compile the sketch prior to upload.",
 		Example: "  " + os.Args[0] + " upload /home/user/Arduino/MySketch",
 		Args:    cobra.MaximumNArgs(1),
+		PreRun:  checkFlagsConflicts,
 		Run:     run,
 	}
 
 	uploadCommand.Flags().StringVarP(&fqbn, "fqbn", "b", "", "Fully Qualified Board Name, e.g.: arduino:avr:uno")
 	uploadCommand.Flags().StringVarP(&port, "port", "p", "", "Upload port, e.g.: COM10 or /dev/ttyACM0")
 	uploadCommand.Flags().StringVarP(&importDir, "input-dir", "", "", "Directory containing binaries to upload.")
+	uploadCommand.Flags().StringVarP(&importFile, "input-file", "i", "", "Binary file to upload.")
 	uploadCommand.Flags().BoolVarP(&verify, "verify", "t", false, "Verify uploaded binary after the upload.")
 	uploadCommand.Flags().BoolVarP(&verbose, "verbose", "v", false, "Optional, turns on verbose mode.")
 	uploadCommand.Flags().StringVarP(&programmer, "programmer", "P", "", "Optional, use the specified programmer to upload or 'list' to list supported programmers.")
@@ -60,6 +63,13 @@ func NewCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	return uploadCommand
 }
 
+func checkFlagsConflicts(command *cobra.Command, args []string) {
+	if importFile != "" && importDir != "" {
+		feedback.Errorf("error: --input-file and --input-dir flags cannot be used together")
+		os.Exit(errorcodes.ErrBadArgument)
+	}
+}
+
 func run(command *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	instance, err := instance.CreateInstance()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -80,6 +90,7 @@ func run(command *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		Port:       port,
 		Verbose:    verbose,
 		Verify:     verify,
+		ImportFile: importFile,
 		ImportDir:  importDir,
 		Programmer: programmer,
 	}, os.Stdout, os.Stderr); err != nil {
diff --git a/commands/debug/debug_test.go b/commands/debug/debug_test.go
index 0e352f07a87..8d0fd57ad7f 100644
--- a/commands/debug/debug_test.go
+++ b/commands/debug/debug_test.go
@@ -26,14 +26,16 @@ import (
 	dbg "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/debug"
 	"github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-var customHardware = paths.New("testdata", "custom_hardware")
-var dataDir = paths.New("testdata", "data_dir", "packages")
-var sketch = "hello"
-var sketchPath = paths.New("testdata", sketch)
-
 func TestGetCommandLine(t *testing.T) {
+	customHardware := paths.New("testdata", "custom_hardware")
+	dataDir := paths.New("testdata", "data_dir", "packages")
+	sketch := "hello"
+	sketchPath := paths.New("testdata", sketch)
+	require.NoError(t, sketchPath.ToAbs())
+
 	pm := packagemanager.NewPackageManager(nil, nil, nil, nil)
 	pm.LoadHardwareFromDirectory(customHardware)
 	pm.LoadHardwareFromDirectory(dataDir)
@@ -59,9 +61,9 @@ func TestGetCommandLine(t *testing.T) {
 		fmt.Sprintf(" -c \"gdb_port pipe\" -c \"telnet_port 0\" -c init -c halt %s/build/arduino-test.samd.arduino_zero_edbg/hello.ino.elf", sketchPath)
 
 	command, err := getCommandLine(req, pm)
-	assert.Nil(t, err)
+	require.Nil(t, err)
 	commandToTest := strings.Join(command[:], " ")
-	assert.Equal(t, filepath.FromSlash(goldCommand), filepath.FromSlash(commandToTest))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.FromSlash(goldCommand), filepath.FromSlash(commandToTest))
 
 	// Other samd boards such as mkr1000 can be debugged using an external tool such as Atmel ICE connected to
 	// the board debug port
@@ -83,5 +85,4 @@ func TestGetCommandLine(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Nil(t, err)
 	commandToTest2 := strings.Join(command2[:], " ")
 	assert.Equal(t, filepath.FromSlash(goldCommand2), filepath.FromSlash(commandToTest2))
-
 }
diff --git a/commands/debug/testdata/hello/hello.ino b/commands/debug/testdata/hello/hello.ino
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/burnbootloader.go b/commands/upload/burnbootloader.go
index 212c1f50ff7..31f02df0216 100644
--- a/commands/upload/burnbootloader.go
+++ b/commands/upload/burnbootloader.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ func BurnBootloader(ctx context.Context, req *rpc.BurnBootloaderReq, outStream i
 	err := runProgramAction(
 		pm,
 		nil, // sketch
+		"",  // importFile
 		"",  // importDir
 		req.GetFqbn(),
 		req.GetPort(),
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/Blonk.ino b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/Blonk.ino
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.elf b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.elf
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.map b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.map
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.with_bootloader.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.with_bootloader.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.with_bootloader.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000/Blonk.ino.with_bootloader.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_1/sketch.ino.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_1/sketch.ino.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.elf b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.elf
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.map b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.map
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/AnotherSketch.ino.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/AnotherSketch.ino.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.elf b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.elf
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.map b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.map
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.bin b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.bin
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.hex b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_3/Blink.ino.with_bootloader.hex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_4/some_other_files.txt b/commands/upload/testdata/build_path_4/some_other_files.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/commands/upload/upload.go b/commands/upload/upload.go
index 72fcda080ee..1e1dc9701e6 100644
--- a/commands/upload/upload.go
+++ b/commands/upload/upload.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"net/url"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ import (
 	rpc "github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/rpc/commands"
 	paths "github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper"
 	properties "github.com/arduino/go-properties-orderedmap"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"go.bug.st/serial"
 )
@@ -42,12 +44,9 @@ func Upload(ctx context.Context, req *rpc.UploadReq, outStream io.Writer, errStr
 
 	// TODO: make a generic function to extract sketch from request
 	// and remove duplication in commands/compile.go
-	if req.GetSketchPath() == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("missing sketchPath")
-	}
 	sketchPath := paths.New(req.GetSketchPath())
 	sketch, err := sketches.NewSketchFromPath(sketchPath)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil && req.GetImportDir() == "" && req.GetImportFile() == "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opening sketch: %s", err)
 	}
 
@@ -56,6 +55,7 @@ func Upload(ctx context.Context, req *rpc.UploadReq, outStream io.Writer, errStr
 	err = runProgramAction(
 		pm,
 		sketch,
+		req.GetImportFile(),
 		req.GetImportDir(),
 		req.GetFqbn(),
 		req.GetPort(),
@@ -73,10 +73,11 @@ func Upload(ctx context.Context, req *rpc.UploadReq, outStream io.Writer, errStr
 }
 
 func runProgramAction(pm *packagemanager.PackageManager,
-	sketch *sketches.Sketch, importDir string, fqbnIn string, port string,
+	sketch *sketches.Sketch,
+	importFile, importDir, fqbnIn, port string,
 	programmerID string,
 	verbose, verify, burnBootloader bool,
-	outStream io.Writer, errStream io.Writer) error {
+	outStream, errStream io.Writer) error {
 
 	if burnBootloader && programmerID == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("no programmer specified for burning bootloader")
@@ -239,22 +240,11 @@ func runProgramAction(pm *packagemanager.PackageManager,
 		uploadProperties.Set("program.verify", uploadProperties.Get("program.params.noverify"))
 	}
 
-	var importPath *paths.Path
 	if !burnBootloader {
-		if sketch == nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf(("no sketch specified"))
-		}
-
-		if importDir != "" {
-			importPath = paths.New(importDir)
-		} else {
-			// TODO: Create a function to obtain importPath from sketch
-			importPath = sketch.FullPath
-			// Add FQBN (without configs part) to export path
-			fqbnSuffix := strings.Replace(fqbn.StringWithoutConfig(), ":", ".", -1)
-			importPath = importPath.Join("build").Join(fqbnSuffix)
+		importPath, sketchName, err := determineBuildPathAndSketchName(importFile, importDir, sketch, fqbn)
+		if err != nil {
+			return errors.Errorf("retrieving build artifacts: %s", err)
 		}
-
 		if !importPath.Exist() {
 			return fmt.Errorf("compiled sketch not found in %s", importPath)
 		}
@@ -262,7 +252,7 @@ func runProgramAction(pm *packagemanager.PackageManager,
 			return fmt.Errorf("expected compiled sketch in directory %s, but is a file instead", importPath)
 		}
 		uploadProperties.SetPath("build.path", importPath)
-		uploadProperties.Set("build.project_name", sketch.Name+".ino")
+		uploadProperties.Set("build.project_name", sketchName)
 	}
 
 	// If not using programmer perform some action required
@@ -449,3 +439,102 @@ func waitForNewSerialPort() (string, error) {
 
 	return "", nil
 }
+
+func determineBuildPathAndSketchName(importFile, importDir string, sketch *sketches.Sketch, fqbn *cores.FQBN) (*paths.Path, string, error) {
+	// In general, compiling a sketch will produce a set of files that are
+	// named as the sketch but have different extensions, for example Sketch.ino
+	// may produce: Sketch.ino.bin; Sketch.ino.hex; Sketch.ino.zip; etc...
+	// These files are created together in the build directory and anyone of
+	// them may be required for upload.
+
+	// The upload recipes are already written using the 'build.project_name' property
+	// concatenated with an explicit extension. To perform the upload we should now
+	// determine the project name (e.g. 'sketch.ino) and set the 'build.project_name'
+	// property accordingly, together with the 'build.path' property to point to the
+	// directory containing the build artifacts.
+
+	// Case 1: importFile flag has been specified
+	if importFile != "" {
+		if importDir != "" {
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("importFile and importDir cannot be used together")
+		}
+
+		// We have a path like "path/to/my/build/SketchName.ino.bin". We are going to
+		// ignore the extension and set:
+		// - "build.path" as "path/to/my/build"
+		// - "build.project_name" as "SketchName.ino"
+
+		importFilePath := paths.New(importFile)
+		if !importFilePath.Exist() {
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("binary file not found in %s", importFilePath)
+		}
+		return importFilePath.Parent(), strings.TrimSuffix(importFilePath.Base(), importFilePath.Ext()), nil
+	}
+
+	if importDir != "" {
+		// Case 2: importDir flag has been specified
+
+		// In this case we have a build path but ignore the sketch name, we'll
+		// try to determine the sketch name by applying some euristics to the build folder.
+		// - "build.path" as importDir
+		// - "build.project_name" after trying to autodetect it from the build folder.
+		buildPath := paths.New(importDir)
+		sketchName, err := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(buildPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, "", errors.Errorf("autodetect build artifact: %s", err)
+		}
+		return buildPath, sketchName, nil
+	}
+
+	// Case 3: nothing given...
+	if sketch == nil {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("no sketch or build directory/file specified")
+	}
+
+	// Case 4: only sketch specified. In this case we use the default sketch build path
+	// and the given sketch name.
+
+	// TODO: Create a function to obtain importPath from sketch
+	// Add FQBN (without configs part) to export path
+	if fqbn == nil {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("missing FQBN")
+	}
+	fqbnSuffix := strings.Replace(fqbn.StringWithoutConfig(), ":", ".", -1)
+	return sketch.FullPath.Join("build").Join(fqbnSuffix), sketch.Name + ".ino", nil
+}
+
+func detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(buildPath *paths.Path) (string, error) {
+	files, err := buildPath.ReadDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	candidateName := ""
+	var candidateFile *paths.Path
+	for _, file := range files {
+		// Build artifacts are usually names as "Blink.ino.hex" or "Blink.ino.bin".
+		// Extract the "Blink.ino" part
+		name := strings.TrimSuffix(file.Base(), file.Ext())
+
+		// Sometimes we may have particular files like:
+		// Blink.ino.with_bootloader.bin
+		if filepath.Ext(name) != ".ino" {
+			// just ignore those files
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if candidateName == "" {
+			candidateName = name
+			candidateFile = file
+		}
+
+		if candidateName != name {
+			return "", errors.Errorf("multiple build artifacts found: '%s' and '%s'", candidateFile, file)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if candidateName == "" {
+		return "", errors.New("could not find a valid build artifact")
+	}
+	return candidateName, nil
+}
diff --git a/commands/upload/upload_test.go b/commands/upload/upload_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..54f34155e7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/commands/upload/upload_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+// This file is part of arduino-cli.
+//
+// Copyright 2020 ARDUINO SA (http://www.arduino.cc/)
+//
+// This software is released under the GNU General Public License version 3,
+// which covers the main part of arduino-cli.
+// The terms of this license can be found at:
+// https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html
+//
+// You can be released from the requirements of the above licenses by purchasing
+// a commercial license. Buying such a license is mandatory if you want to
+// modify or otherwise use the software for commercial activities involving the
+// Arduino software without disclosing the source code of your own applications.
+// To purchase a commercial license, send an email to license@arduino.cc.
+
+package upload
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/arduino/cores"
+	"github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/arduino/sketches"
+	paths "github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestDetectSketchNameFromBuildPath(t *testing.T) {
+	sk1, err1 := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(paths.New("testdata/build_path_1"))
+	require.NoError(t, err1)
+	require.Equal(t, "sketch.ino", sk1)
+
+	sk2, err2 := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(paths.New("testdata/build_path_2"))
+	require.NoError(t, err2)
+	require.Equal(t, "Blink.ino", sk2)
+
+	sk3, err3 := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(paths.New("testdata/build_path_3"))
+	require.Error(t, err3)
+	require.Equal(t, "", sk3)
+
+	sk4, err4 := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(paths.New("testdata/build_path_4"))
+	require.Error(t, err4)
+	require.Equal(t, "", sk4)
+
+	sk5, err5 := detectSketchNameFromBuildPath(paths.New("testdata/build_path_invalid"))
+	require.Error(t, err5)
+	require.Equal(t, "", sk5)
+}
+
+func TestDetermineBuildPathAndSketchName(t *testing.T) {
+	type test struct {
+		importFile    string
+		importDir     string
+		sketch        *sketches.Sketch
+		fqbn          *cores.FQBN
+		resBuildPath  string
+		resSketchName string
+		hasError      bool
+	}
+
+	blonk, err := sketches.NewSketchFromPath(paths.New("testdata/Blonk"))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	fqbn, err := cores.ParseFQBN("arduino:samd:mkr1000")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	tests := []test{
+		// 00: error: no data passed in
+		{"", "", nil, nil, "<nil>", "", true},
+		// 01: use importFile to detect build.path and project_name
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "", nil, nil, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 02: use importPath as build.path and project_name
+		{"", "testdata/build_path_2", nil, nil, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 03: error: used both importPath and importFile
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "testdata/build_path_2", nil, nil, "<nil>", "", true},
+		// 04: error: only sketch without FQBN
+		{"", "", blonk, nil, "<nil>", "", true},
+		// 05: use importFile to detect build.path and project_name, sketch is ignored.
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "", blonk, nil, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 06: use importPath as build.path and Blink as project name, ignore the sketch Blonk
+		{"", "testdata/build_path_2", blonk, nil, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 07: error: used both importPath and importFile
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "testdata/build_path_2", blonk, nil, "<nil>", "", true},
+
+		// 08: error: no data passed in
+		{"", "", nil, fqbn, "<nil>", "", true},
+		// 09: use importFile to detect build.path and project_name, fqbn ignored
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "", nil, fqbn, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 10: use importPath as build.path and project_name, fqbn ignored
+		{"", "testdata/build_path_2", nil, fqbn, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 11: error: used both importPath and importFile
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "testdata/build_path_2", nil, fqbn, "<nil>", "", true},
+		// 12: use sketch to determine project name and sketch+fqbn to determine build path
+		{"", "", blonk, fqbn, "testdata/Blonk/build/arduino.samd.mkr1000", "Blonk.ino", false},
+		// 13: use importFile to detect build.path and project_name, sketch+fqbn is ignored.
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "", blonk, fqbn, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 14: use importPath as build.path and Blink as project name, ignore the sketch Blonk, ignore fqbn
+		{"", "testdata/build_path_2", blonk, fqbn, "testdata/build_path_2", "Blink.ino", false},
+		// 15: error: used both importPath and importFile
+		{"testdata/build_path_2/Blink.ino.hex", "testdata/build_path_2", blonk, fqbn, "<nil>", "", true},
+	}
+	for i, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("SubTest%02d", i), func(t *testing.T) {
+			buildPath, sketchName, err := determineBuildPathAndSketchName(test.importFile, test.importDir, test.sketch, test.fqbn)
+			if test.hasError {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+			}
+			if test.resBuildPath == "<nil>" {
+				require.Nil(t, buildPath)
+			} else {
+				resBuildPath := paths.New(test.resBuildPath)
+				require.NoError(t, resBuildPath.ToAbs())
+				require.NoError(t, buildPath.ToAbs())
+				require.Equal(t, resBuildPath.String(), buildPath.String())
+			}
+			require.Equal(t, test.resSketchName, sketchName)
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 92a3cc2d8f4..dcc2c64ab90 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ require (
 	bou.ke/monkey v1.0.1
 	github.com/GeertJohan/go.rice v1.0.0
 	github.com/arduino/board-discovery v0.0.0-20180823133458-1ba29327fb0c
-	github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.1
+	github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.2
 	github.com/arduino/go-properties-orderedmap v1.3.0
 	github.com/arduino/go-timeutils v0.0.0-20171220113728-d1dd9e313b1b
 	github.com/arduino/go-win32-utils v0.0.0-20180330194947-ed041402e83b
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 46b9fa660b9..cf093eae332 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.0.1 h1:utYXLM2RfFlc9qp/MJTIYp3t6ux/xM6mWje
 github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.0.1/go.mod h1:HpxtKph+g238EJHq4geEPv9p+gl3v5YYu35Yb+w31Ck=
 github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.2.0 h1:qDW93PR5IZUN/jzO4rCtexiwF8P4OIcOmcSgAYLZfY4=
 github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.2.0/go.mod h1:HpxtKph+g238EJHq4geEPv9p+gl3v5YYu35Yb+w31Ck=
-github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.1 h1:Gz+PVt0luQyH4nffDePd8WBs/O5P05jADtJsY8NqvCM=
-github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.1/go.mod h1:HpxtKph+g238EJHq4geEPv9p+gl3v5YYu35Yb+w31Ck=
+github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.2 h1:5U9TSKQODiwSVgTxskC0PNl0l0Vf40GUlp99Zy2SK8w=
+github.com/arduino/go-paths-helper v1.3.2/go.mod h1:HpxtKph+g238EJHq4geEPv9p+gl3v5YYu35Yb+w31Ck=
 github.com/arduino/go-properties-orderedmap v1.3.0 h1:4No/vQopB36e7WUIk6H6TxiSEJPiMrVOCZylYmua39o=
 github.com/arduino/go-properties-orderedmap v1.3.0/go.mod h1:DKjD2VXY/NZmlingh4lSFMEYCVubfeArCsGPGDwb2yk=
 github.com/arduino/go-timeutils v0.0.0-20171220113728-d1dd9e313b1b h1:9hDi4F2st6dbLC3y4i02zFT5quS4X6iioWifGlVwfy4=
diff --git a/rpc/commands/board.pb.go b/rpc/commands/board.pb.go
index a2db846ddda..8e1692836e6 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/board.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/board.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/board.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/commands.pb.go b/rpc/commands/commands.pb.go
index 0a0db9ed929..daa6c609523 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/commands.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/commands.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/commands.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/common.pb.go b/rpc/commands/common.pb.go
index 6d6629fa077..5cb44f8a351 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/common.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/common.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/common.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/compile.pb.go b/rpc/commands/compile.pb.go
index ed4efd99a3e..021c906d0d7 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/compile.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/compile.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/compile.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/core.pb.go b/rpc/commands/core.pb.go
index b50430ed524..6302b691249 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/core.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/core.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/core.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/lib.pb.go b/rpc/commands/lib.pb.go
index 913963df787..ded72bfc3b1 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/lib.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/lib.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/lib.proto
 
 package commands
diff --git a/rpc/commands/upload.pb.go b/rpc/commands/upload.pb.go
index 724a56c620b..dbf3969a664 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/upload.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/commands/upload.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: commands/upload.proto
 
 package commands
@@ -62,8 +62,9 @@ type UploadReq struct {
 	// After upload, verify that the contents of the memory on the board match the
 	// uploaded binary.
 	Verify bool `protobuf:"varint,6,opt,name=verify,proto3" json:"verify,omitempty"`
-	// Deprecated: Do not use.
-	ImportFile string `protobuf:"bytes,7,opt,name=import_file,json=importFile,proto3" json:"import_file,omitempty"` // DEPRECATED: Use import_dir instead
+	// When `import_file` is specified, it overrides the `import_dir` and `sketch_path`
+	// params.
+	ImportFile string `protobuf:"bytes,7,opt,name=import_file,json=importFile,proto3" json:"import_file,omitempty"`
 	// Custom path to a directory containing compiled files. When `import_dir` is
 	// not specified, the standard build directory under `sketch_path` is used.
 	ImportDir  string `protobuf:"bytes,8,opt,name=import_dir,json=importDir,proto3" json:"import_dir,omitempty"`
@@ -144,7 +145,6 @@ func (x *UploadReq) GetVerify() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-// Deprecated: Do not use.
 func (x *UploadReq) GetImportFile() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.ImportFile
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ var file_commands_upload_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x64, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x12, 0x17, 0x63, 0x63, 0x2e, 0x61, 0x72, 0x64, 0x75,
 	0x69, 0x6e, 0x6f, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6c, 0x69, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x6d, 0x6d, 0x61, 0x6e, 0x64, 0x73,
 	0x1a, 0x15, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x6d, 0x6d, 0x61, 0x6e, 0x64, 0x73, 0x2f, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x6d, 0x6d, 0x6f,
-	0x6e, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x22, 0xa9, 0x02, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x55, 0x70, 0x6c, 0x6f,
+	0x6e, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x22, 0xa5, 0x02, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x55, 0x70, 0x6c, 0x6f,
 	0x61, 0x64, 0x52, 0x65, 0x71, 0x12, 0x3d, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x73, 0x74, 0x61, 0x6e, 0x63,
 	0x65, 0x18, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0b, 0x32, 0x21, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x63, 0x2e, 0x61, 0x72, 0x64,
 	0x75, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x6f, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6c, 0x69, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x6d, 0x6d, 0x61, 0x6e, 0x64,
@@ -496,54 +496,53 @@ var file_commands_upload_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x07, 0x76, 0x65, 0x72, 0x62, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x65, 0x18, 0x05, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x08, 0x52, 0x07,
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 }
 
 var (
diff --git a/rpc/commands/upload.proto b/rpc/commands/upload.proto
index b2477a712e8..0f5e04e196c 100644
--- a/rpc/commands/upload.proto
+++ b/rpc/commands/upload.proto
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ message UploadReq {
 	// After upload, verify that the contents of the memory on the board match the
 	// uploaded binary.
 	bool verify = 6;
-	string import_file = 7 [deprecated = true]; // DEPRECATED: Use import_dir instead
+	// When `import_file` is specified, it overrides the `import_dir` and `sketch_path`
+	// params.
+	string import_file = 7;
 	// Custom path to a directory containing compiled files. When `import_dir` is
 	// not specified, the standard build directory under `sketch_path` is used.
 	string import_dir = 8;
diff --git a/rpc/debug/debug.pb.go b/rpc/debug/debug.pb.go
index 78459b85514..baad7cd1832 100644
--- a/rpc/debug/debug.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/debug/debug.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: debug/debug.proto
 
 package debug
diff --git a/rpc/monitor/monitor.pb.go b/rpc/monitor/monitor.pb.go
index 9ac0cb7da6b..d3fdcc2942c 100644
--- a/rpc/monitor/monitor.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/monitor/monitor.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: monitor/monitor.proto
 
 package monitor
diff --git a/rpc/settings/settings.pb.go b/rpc/settings/settings.pb.go
index a020f54189c..eb5d02fa8b6 100644
--- a/rpc/settings/settings.pb.go
+++ b/rpc/settings/settings.pb.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.25.0
-// 	protoc        v3.12.4
+// 	protoc        v3.11.3
 // source: settings/settings.proto
 
 package settings
diff --git a/test/test_upload.py b/test/test_upload.py
index 439bd98d084..52354092ef5 100644
--- a/test/test_upload.py
+++ b/test/test_upload.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # software without disclosing the source code of your own applications. To purchase
 # a commercial license, send an email to license@arduino.cc.
 import os
+import time
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -30,7 +31,8 @@ def test_upload(run_command, data_dir, detected_boards):
         # Download core
         assert run_command("core install {}".format(board.core))
         # Create a sketch
-        sketch_path = os.path.join(data_dir, "foo")
+        sketch_name = "foo"
+        sketch_path = os.path.join(data_dir, sketch_name)
         assert run_command("sketch new {}".format(sketch_path))
         # Build sketch
         assert run_command("compile -b {fqbn} {sketch_path}".format(fqbn=board.fqbn, sketch_path=sketch_path))
@@ -44,6 +46,26 @@ def test_upload(run_command, data_dir, detected_boards):
             )
         )
 
+        # multiple uploads requires some pauses
+        time.sleep(2)
+        # Upload using --input-dir reusing standard sketch "build" folder artifacts
+        assert run_command(
+            "upload -b {fqbn} -p {port} --input-dir {sketch_path}/build/{fqbn_path} {sketch_path}".format(
+                sketch_path=sketch_path, fqbn=board.fqbn, port=board.address,
+                fqbn_path=board.fqbn.replace(":", ".")
+            )
+        )
+
+        # multiple uploads requires some pauses
+        time.sleep(2)
+        # Upload using --input-file reusing standard sketch "build" folder artifacts
+        assert run_command(
+            "upload -b {fqbn} -p {port} --input-file {sketch_path}/build/{fqbn_path}/{sketch_name}.ino.bin".format(
+                sketch_path=sketch_path, fqbn=board.fqbn, port=board.address, sketch_name=sketch_name,
+                fqbn_path=board.fqbn.replace(":", ".")
+            )
+        )
+
 
 def test_upload_after_attach(run_command, data_dir, detected_boards):
     # Init the environment explicitly