Blinky - a MicroPython IDE
MicroPython development, redefined.
Everything you need to build, run, and ship MicroPython projects - all inside VS Code. No terminal. No toolchain setup. No friction. Just plug in your board and start coding.
Why Blinky?
- Zero setup. Install the extension. Plug in your board. You're done.
- One-click firmware install. Detects your board, downloads the right MicroPython build, and flashes it - automatically.
- Write code, hit F5. Your script runs on the board instantly. Errors show up right in the editor.
- Real-time file sync. Save a file, it lands on the board. No manual upload steps.
- REPL notebooks. Experiment interactively, keep a record of every session.
- Full autocomplete. Type stubs for
machine, network, esp32 - Pylance just works.
Features
REPL Terminal
Interactive MicroPython shell with syntax-colored output, tab autocomplete, persistent history, and a rich board-info banner on connect.
Run & Debug
Run .py files directly on the board with F5 or the ▶ button. Run selected code snippets. Errors are parsed into VS Code diagnostics with clickable file links.
Board File Manager
Browse, upload, download, and delete files on the board from the sidebar. Sync your entire project in one click. Auto-sync watches for local saves and uploads automatically.
Firmware Flashing
Detect your board, download the right MicroPython firmware, and flash - no command-line tools needed. Supports ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3, ESP32-C6, and ESP32-H2.
REPL Notebooks
Jupyter-style notebooks (.mpnb) that run cells on the board. Mix code and documentation, re-run experiments, and keep a record of your session.
Project Templates
Scaffold a new project from a template: Blink LED, WiFi Scanner, Web Server, or Temperature Sensor.
Autocomplete
Install MicroPython type stubs so Pylance provides autocomplete for board modules like machine, network, and esp32.
Getting Started
- Install the extension
- Plug in your ESP32 via USB
- Open the Command Palette → Blinky: Connect to Board
- Open the REPL or run a
.py file
Or run Blinky: Open Getting Started Guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
Supported Boards
| Board |
Flash |
REPL |
File Sync |
| ESP32 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| ESP32-S2 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| ESP32-S3 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| ESP32-C3 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| ESP32-C6 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| ESP32-H2 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| RP2040 / Pico |
- |
✅ |
✅ |
| STM32 |
- |
✅ |
✅ |
Any board running MicroPython with a serial REPL should work for REPL and file operations. Firmware flashing is currently ESP32-only.
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
Description |
blinky.baudRate |
115200 |
Serial communication baud rate |
blinky.autoConnect |
false |
Auto-reconnect to the last board on startup |
blinky.autoOpenRepl |
true |
Open the REPL terminal after connecting |
blinky.syncExclude |
[".git", "__pycache__", ...] |
Files/folders to exclude from project sync |
blinky.flashBaudRate |
460800 |
Baud rate for firmware flashing |
blinky.repl.colorizePrompt |
true |
Color the >>> prompt |
blinky.repl.colorizeErrors |
true |
Highlight tracebacks in red |
blinky.repl.richBanner |
true |
Show board info on REPL open |
blinky.repl.autocomplete |
true |
Tab autocomplete in the REPL |
blinky.repl.persistentHistory |
true |
Persist command history across sessions |
Commands
All commands are available via the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P) under the blinky category:
- Connect to Board / Disconnect
- Open REPL Terminal
- Run File on Board / Run Selection / Stop Script
- Upload File / Download File / Sync Project
- Flash Firmware / Install MicroPython / Erase Flash
- New Project / New File / New Folder
- Set Up MicroPython Stubs
- Enable/Disable Auto-Sync
- Open Getting Started Guide
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! See CONTRIBUTING.md for setup instructions and guidelines.
License
MIT
