nRF Connect for VS Code

Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF Connect for VS Code extension enhances the development experience for all aspects of the nRF Connect SDK application development in VS Code. It includes an interface to the compiler and linker, an RTOS-aware debugger, a seamless interface to the nRF Connect SDK, and an integrated serial terminal.

For detailed information about the extension, see the nRF Connect for VS Code documentation site.

Features

Develop, build, test, and deploy embedded applications based on the nRF Connect SDK with the nRF Connect for VS Code features.

Add custom boards

With its Create a new board wizard, nRF Connect for VS Code allows you to add custom boards compatible with Zephyr RTOS and the nRF Connect SDK.

Integrated application development environment

The extension lets you create, build, and debug applications all within the same window using either the command-line or in the extension's graphical interface Views.

Wizards for creating and building

Smoothly create a new application using the New Application wizard with just a few clicks. The New Application wizard features an intuitive user interface to help you manage the paths of the nRF Connect SDK, the nRF Connect Toolchain, and more.

Device management

Easily manage your devices in the Connected Devices View, where you can create device aliases and manage which of the device ports are connected to the terminal with the click of a button.

Source file management

From the Details View, you can view the application's source files, input files, and output files. This allows you to stay organized within your project by having all related application directories and files in the same location, instead of having to manually open their location and move around from window to window.

Custom task bindings for specific actions

Create and manage custom task bindings in nRF Connect for VS Code and execute them when you Build, Pristine Build, Flash, or Erase and Flash to Board an application. Custom task bindings can be created in nRF Connect for VS Code Actions View, or manually by editing the appropriate task.json file in your workspace.

Memory report for ROM and RAM usage

The extension offers a Memory report that displays the percentage and size of ROM and RAM usage within your device's application.

The Memory report displays both a treeview and a sunburst diagram to easily visualize how much memory each node takes up on your device.

Improved debugging experience

nRF Connect for VS Code uses its own nRF Debug as the default debugger, which uses Microsoft's debug adaptor. nRF Debug includes exclusive Panel Views such as a Thread Viewer and Memory Viewer.

Telemetry

You can help improve nRF Connect for VS Code by sending Nordic Semiconductor anonymous statistics on how you interact with the extension. You can enable or disable this feature at any time in the User Settings.

Go to File > Preferences > Settings > Extensions > nRF Connect > Nrf-connect:Enable Telemetry

The extension also respects the main VS Code telemetry setting found in the menu paths below:

Go to File > Preferences > Settings > Application > Telemetry > Telemetry Level

What kind of information do we collect?

When telemetry is enabled, the extension collects the following information:

• The selected sample's path when setting up a new application from a sample

• The type of application, freestanding or workspace, used for new applications

• The board used for new build configurations

• The names of extension commands executed in the command palette or user-interface interactions

• The user agent, as reported by VS Code

How do we use this information?

The information is used to analyze user interaction with nRF Connect for VS Code and determine areas of improvement.

How is this information processed and shared?

All telemetry entries are identified by a hash value that is unique to the current instance setup. No personal details are disclosed in the telemetry data. We do not share the data with any third-party companies or individuals outside of Nordic Semiconductor.

Feedback

Let us know what you think using the Give Feedback form, or ask questions in the Nordic DevZone.