Hi
Can you program in MicroPython with Arduino IDE for a Raspbarry pi pico 2 and 2w
Thanks
Have you tried? I doubt it but am not 100% sure. I think Thonny is a popular Python IDE.
Interesting question. I have been using Thonny up until now, but a quick Google search also finds this:
Looks like a derivative of IDE 1.8.9 and its version 0.20.0 and dated 2022, so it would be interesting to hear from the Arduino Team whether there its still supported or whether there is anything planned in the way of incorporating into IDE 2.3.x or making a standalone derivative. Google also found this intro:
https://docs.arduino.cc/retired/other/arduino-and-python/
It does appear under a "legacy documentation" path which again would suggest that it is going to be or has already been deprecated, although it is still available for download.. Perhaps Arduino are moving away from supporting MicroPython and MicroPython tooling?
In addition, you can also use Vscode apparently:
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/raspberry-pi-pico-vs-code-micropython/
I think I might have a look at Vscode as I use it already, but as regards Arduino Lab for MicroPython, will wait for a product status confirmation from an Arduino Team member.
I have to agree with Thonny https://thonny.org/
And yes it does work with the pi pico
Hi @Henrik_t7.
No. Arduino IDE is a tool for developing Arduino sketches. It is not a tool for developing MicroPython scripts.
As @BitSeeker pointed out, Arduino created a dedicated tool for developing MicroPython-based projects for Arduino boards: Arduino Lab for MicroPython
It has a similar design aesthetic, but the codebase is completely unrelated to Arduino IDE.
It started as a fork of a prior project named "Fabulous Flying Machine":
The developer of Fabulous Flying Machine did quite a bit of the work on Arduino Lab for MicroPython for Arduino.
I'm not sure where you are seeing 2022, but version 0.20.0 of Arduino Lab for MicroPython was released 2025-05-11:
The project is actively maintained.
It is. However, please note that this is an "Arduino Labs" project, meaning it is a new experimental project undertaken by Arduino rather than one of the core products like Arduino IDE.
No. There is no plan for adding MicroPython support to Arduino IDE. That is completely out of scope for the Arduino IDE project. Shoehorning in support for a completely different language would only bloat the IDE and make it less user friendly.
No, it is only that documentation content that has been retired, not the Arduino Lab for MicroPython project. The documentation team decided to rewrite the documentation completely. The new documentation is here:
https://docs.arduino.cc/micropython/
I think it is worth a look. I also use VS Code (but for things other than MicroPython) and it is really a great tool. I don't have any experience using it with MicroPython, so I can't say whether it is a good option for that specific application. I do use it for developing normal Python scripts and it is excellent for that purpose.
However, I will say that VS Code is not ideal for a casual beginner. It is a very complex application and so the user interface and steep learning curve might overwhelm some people.
A "turnkey" solution with a more curated UI, such as Arduino Lab for MicroPython or similar alternatives might be a better choice for a beginner.