.NET nanoFramework for Visual Studio

Write C#. Run it on a microcontroller. Debug it live.

The .NET nanoFramework extension brings embedded development into the Visual Studio you already use. Create a project, deploy to your board, set breakpoints, step through code and inspect variables on the real hardware. You don't need C/C++ or a vendor toolchain.

✅ Works with Visual Studio 2022 and Visual Studio 2026.

What you get

• Project templates for apps, class libraries and unit tests
• Deploy and debug on the device: breakpoints, stepping, watch and call stack, running on the target
• Device Explorer to discover, connect, flash and manage boards
• NuGet-based libraries for GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, ADC, networking, TLS and more
• Familiar C# and .NET APIs, including many from .NET IoT, so existing code and samples carry over

What is .NET nanoFramework?

An open-source platform for running managed C# on constrained devices, such as IoT sensors, wearables, robots, maker projects and industrial equipment. It includes a compact CLR and a subset of the .NET base class libraries, so desktop .NET developers can work on embedded systems with the skills they already have.

Supported hardware

• Espressif: ESP32, S2, S3, C3, C6, H2 and P4
• STMicroelectronics: STM32 F0, F4, F7, L4 and H7
• Silicon Labs: Giant Gecko GG11
• NXP: i.MX RT1060
• Texas Instruments: SimpleLink CC13xx and CC32xx
• M5Stack: Core, Core2, StickC and AtomS3
• OrgPal: PalThree and PalX
• MXCHIP: AZ3166

...and more, including community boards. Full list

See it in action

Start a new project in seconds.

Debugging live on a real device.

Get involved

• ⭐ Project on GitHub
• 🐞 Report an issue
• 💬 Join us on Discord

Still on Visual Studio 2019? There is also an extension for VS2019.