Pluto-IDE is a Visual Studio Code extension built for seamless firmware development and deployment on the Pluto Drone by Drona Aviation. It provides an all-in-one environment for building, flashing (USB/Wi-Fi), monitoring, and configuring STM32-based projects — with automated toolchain setup and C/C++ IntelliSense integration.
Platform Support: Now fully supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux — seamless across all major platforms.
Key Features
Core Features
Interactive Dashboard: Modern webview-based dashboard for project, board, and news management
One-Click Project Creation: Guided wizard for quick project setup with customized templates
Easy Access Buttons: Quick buttons at the bottom of VS Code for all common tasks
Board Selection: Choose your Pluto board type with a simple menu
Automatic Setup: Downloads and installs all required tools automatically
Smart Code Assistance: Provides helpful code suggestions and error detection
One-Click Driver Install: Install USB drivers needed for flashing firmware
Wireless Programming: Upload firmware to your Pluto drone over WiFi
Progress Updates: See real-time progress for builds and firmware uploads
Build & Clean: Compile your code and clean up build files with one click
Auto Device Detection: Automatically finds your Pluto when connected via USB
Smart File Finding: Automatically locates the correct firmware file to upload
Recent Projects Tracking: Auto-saves and displays your most recent project history
Visual Board Guide: Detailed pinout diagrams and board info available in-dashboard
Installation
Launch Visual Studio Code
Open the Extensions View (Ctrl+Shift+X)
Search for Pluto-IDE
Click Install
On first run, Pluto IDE will check for required dependencies:
C/C++ by Microsoft (ms-vscode.cpptools)
Teleplot by Alex Nesnes (alexnesnes.teleplot)
If these extensions are not already installed, VS Code will prompt you to install them. Pluto IDE will not function correctly without these dependencies.
Usage Guide
Access all features through:
Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
Status Bar Buttons at the bottom of VS Code
Commands Overview:
Open Dashboard – PlutoIDE > Open Dashboard or click on the Dashboard icon
Create New Project – Available through the dashboard interface
Build Project – PlutoIDE > Build or click on the Build icon
Clean Project – PlutoIDE > Clean or click on the Clean icon
USB Flash – PlutoIDE > USB Flash or click on the USB Flash icon
WiFi Flash – PlutoIDE > WiFi Flash or click on the WiFi Flash icon
Install Bootloader Driver – PlutoIDE > STM32 Install Bootloader or click on the Install STM32 Bootloader icon
Select Target – PlutoIDE > Select Target or click on the Select Target icon
Monitor Pluto – PlutoIDE > Monitor or click on the Monitor icon
