Workflows

Setup a supported editor

WARNING: Not all editors work well for CircuitPython¹. Starting with Mu or Thonny is highly recommended unless you are already familiar with Python, USB serial device access, and ESP32 development or VSCode.

• Mu 
  • Python editor for beginners with CircuitPython support 
• Thonny 
  • more flexible than Mu, less complicated than VSCode
  • under Tools / Options / Interpreter select CircuitPython (generic)
• Visual Studio Code 
  • more complicated IDE, works well if you’re already familiar with VSCode
  • useful extensions
    • CircuitPython v2 
    • Serial Monitor 

Setup a USB serial console interface

You need the ability to see console text output (error messages, print statements, …) from your controller. The editors listed above (with proper configuration / extensions) already have this built in. Otherwise, you need a terminal program that can connect to a USB serial device.

Notes