ghi-electronics introduced on-chip source-code debugging support for MicroPython in Visual Studio. The system works with a supported MicroPython device and the existing USB cable, but requires either creating a custom MicroPython image or flashing one of the provided images. Various versions of the Raspberry Pi Pico and ESP32 chips are supported. A standard Pico worked without issues while an RP2040 GEEK produced an error during setup; a similar known issue exists for Linux and ESP32-S3. The limitations listed on GitHub include the inability to track caught exceptions and breakpoints stopping all threads.
Why it matters
This development brings the debugging process for developers using MicroPython into Visual Studio with supported hardware and software configurations, creating an option that does not require separate debugging hardware. However, because the feature is limited to certain Raspberry Pi Pico versions and ESP32 chips, board selection and setup steps become a direct part of the process. The requirement to flash a custom or provided MicroPython image makes compatibility checks mandatory before migrating existing projects. Issues surrounding RP2040 GEEK, Linux and ESP32-S3, along with the limitations on exception tracking and thread suspension, leave open the question of which debugging scenarios the tool can support.