Hey everyone!
Last week I shared Forgetfulino - Upload your (compressed) code in the board - IDE 2.x extension, a library to embed source code into your Arduino firmware. The feedback was great, but the Python script workflow was a pain, there was no compression, and a lot of feedback made me build an amazing tool.
Short video workflow
I took that personally and now Forgetfulino is on steroids. Forgetfulino 2.0 is now a native Arduino IDE 2.x Extension. I also made a complete YouTube tutorial (link below) covering everything from installation to recovery.
A quick "Boring Mentor" lecture
Before showing you the shiny new buttons, let's get one thing straight: "Don't lose good habits just because you have good tools."
Forgetfulino is NOT a replacement for Git. If you stop pushing to GitHub because "it's on the chip anyway," you are doing it wrong. This is your emergency parachute, not your airplane. Use it for those projects you find in a drawer 3 years from now, but keep your workflow professional.
The "Right-Click" (Check the screenshot!)
Forget the terminal. As you can see in the image, Forgetfulino is now integrated directly into the Arduino IDE 2.x context menu.
Here is what you can do with a simple click:
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Auto-Generate on Save: Toggle this, and Forgetfulino updates the embedded code every single time you hit Ctrl+S. It's invisible and seamless.
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Smart Library Versioning: This is a game-changer for reproducibility. Each
#includein the recovered source is automatically annotated with the exact version of the library used during the original build. Special thanks to @lunastrod for the inspiration!. -
Decode Compressed Dump: The magic part. When you get that string from Serial, just select it, right-click, and "Decode". It opens your original source in a new tab instantly.
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Auto Inject Template: Tired of typing boilerplate? The extension can automatically wire up new sketches with the library headers and setup code.
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Comment Stripping: Running low on space? Toggle "Strip comments" to keep the binary small while preserving the full logic.
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Multi-file Support: It now handles multiple
.inoand.cppfiles in a sketch folder, preserving their order. -
Dump on demand: Write forgetfulino on serial, the board will answer with the dump.
Know your limits (The Memory Talk)
We are fighting for bytes here.
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Zero RAM usage: The code is read directly from Flash (PROGMEM), so your variables stay safe.
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Flash is finite: While compression helps significantly, be smart. Storing a 5000-line sketch on an ATmega328P is a bad idea. Use it wisely and respect your hardware's boundaries.
Video Tutorial & Links
I’ve recorded a full walkthrough where I show:
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How to install the VSIX extension. (It's just a copy paste really)
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Setting up a project with Auto-Inject.
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The full recovery process from a "lost" board.
YouTube Video: Forgetfulino 2.0 Video GitHub Repository: Git Link
I'm looking forward to your feedback on this new workflow!
Community Hall of Fame (Special Thanks)
This update exists because of the brutal honesty and genius suggestions from the community. A huge thank you to:
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ptillisch (Arduino Team): For pointing out the possibility of an IDE extension. It’s been a total game changer for usability.
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lunastrod (Reddit): For the focus on Library Versioning. Forgetfulino now annotates every
#includewith its exact version for perfect reproducibility. -
J-M-L (Arduino community): For motivating Multi-file support. We now handle multiple
.inoand.cppfiles seamlessly. -
robtillaart (Arduino Forum): For the Compression tip. We now have an optional compressed representation to save your precious Flash.
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kahveciderin (Reddit): For pushing toward a more Fail-safe workflow, leading to the automatic injection feature.
Much appreciated