OVT Explorer Pro — Embedded Development for VS Code
A VS Code extension that brings an integrated embedded development environment into the editor. Manage CMSIS-Pack based projects, configure ARM GCC toolchains, set up debug probes, and build/flash/debug your embedded targets — all without leaving VS Code.
Features
Project Explorer
- Create & Import Projects — Start a new embedded project from scratch or import an existing one, with a chip-aware project wizard that auto-discovers devices from installed CMSIS-Packs.
- File Operations — New file/folder, rename, delete, copy, cut, paste directly in the project tree.
- Build Exclusion — Toggle files or folders in/out of the build with a single click.
- Multi-Project Support — Manage multiple projects side-by-side in the Project Explorer view.
CMSIS-Pack Manager
- Import Packs — Import
.pack files (the ARM CMSIS standard format) to discover devices, boards, components, and middleware.
- Version Management — Install multiple versions of a pack, set an active version per vendor::pack, and switch between them.
- Pack Explorer — Browse installed packs, their families, sub-families, devices, and components in a dedicated tree view.
- Device Discovery — Automatically extract chip memory layouts, processor cores, debug algorithms, linker scripts, startup files, and SVD files from packs.
- Component Matching — Smart matching of pack components (startup, linker, drivers, CMSIS-DSP, FreeRTOS) to the selected target device.
- ARM GCC Installation — Download and install the official ARM GNU Toolchain directly from developer.arm.com.
- Local Install — Install a toolchain from a local ZIP file.
- Version Detection — Auto-detects installed toolchain versions (arm-none-eabi-gcc, etc.) in
C:\ToolChain and custom directories.
- Per-Project Selection — Assign a specific toolchain installation to each project.
- Compiler Configuration — Configure build/clean scripts, output directory, parallel jobs, verbose mode, extra paths, and environment variables.
Debug Probe Support
- SEGGER JLink — Download from segger.com, install, auto-detect version & connected probe serials.
- NXP LinkServer — Install and manage NXP debug probes.
- PEmicro — Install and manage PEmicro debug probes.
- Flash Configuration — Configure interface (SWD/JTAG), speed, target device, base address, erase/verify/reset options, and JLink serial number.
- Device List — Auto-parses
JLinkDevices.xml for available target devices.
Build, Debug & Run
- Build — Compile your embedded project with the selected ARM GCC toolchain.
- Debug — Launch a GDB debug session using the configured probe.
- Run / Download — Flash (download) the firmware to the target device and run it.
Quick Panel
A convenient toolbar for one-click access to common operations: New Project, Import Project, and more.
Launch bundled or system-level tools (e.g. AutoGenerator, EBRT Tool, FK SE Config Tool) with double-click detection to prevent accidental duplicate launches.
Requirements
- VS Code
^1.87.0
- Windows — This extension is designed for Windows-based embedded development workflows.
- CMSIS-Pack files (
.pack) for your target MCU family.
Extension Views
The extension adds an "OVT Explorer Pro" icon to the Activity Bar containing these views:
| View |
Purpose |
| Quick Panel |
Quick-launch buttons for common tasks |
| Project Explorer |
Browse and manage embedded project files |
| CMSIS-Pack Explorer |
Browse installed CMSIS-Packs and their contents |
| Current Project |
View active project details |
| Debug Probes |
Install and manage debug probes (JLink, LinkServer, PEmicro) |
| Properties |
Manage ARM GCC toolchains and compiler settings |
Getting Started
- Set up Toolchain — In the Properties view, install ARM GCC Toolchain (download or from ZIP).
- Import a CMSIS-Pack — In the CMSIS-Pack Explorer, import the
.pack file for your target MCU.
- Create a New Project — Click "New Project" in the Quick Panel, select your chip from the wizard, and configure project options.
- Install Debug Probe — In the Debug Probes view, install JLink (or another supported probe).
- Build & Debug — Use the Project Explorer toolbar buttons to Build, Debug, or Run your project.
Commands
| Command |
Description |
extension.NewProjectWebview |
Create a new embedded project |
extension.ImportProjectWebview |
Import an existing project |
extension.showManageProjectWebview |
Open the Manage Project webview |
extension.closeProject |
Close a project |
packManager.importPack |
Import a CMSIS-Pack file |
packManager.showManager |
Open the Pack Manager webview |
packManager.setPacksDir |
Set the pack storage directory |
packManager.removePack |
Remove an installed pack |
packManager.setActiveVersion |
Set the active version of a pack |
packManager.refreshExplorer |
Refresh the Pack Explorer view |
toolchain.installFromPlugin |
Download & install ARM GCC Toolchain |
toolchain.importFromFile |
Install toolchain from a local ZIP file |
toolchain.configure |
Configure compiler settings |
toolchain.selectForProject |
Assign a toolchain to the current project |
toolchain.remove |
Remove an installed toolchain |
debug.installOnline |
Download & install a debug tool |
debug.installToolFromFile |
Install a debug tool from a local ZIP |
debug.showFlashConfig |
Open Flash Configuration settings |
debug.removeTool |
Remove an installed debug tool |
debug.refreshProbes |
Refresh probe detection |
projectExplorer.build |
Build the selected project |
projectExplorer.debug |
Start a debug session |
projectExplorer.run |
Flash & run on target |
extension.saveState |
Save extension state |
Dependencies
- adm-zip — ZIP extraction for packs, toolchains, and debug tools.
- xml2js — PDSC and JLinkDevices XML parsing.
- 7-Zip (optional, system level) — Fallback extractor for SFX/InnoSetup/NSIS debug-tool installers.
Known Limitations
- Windows-only at this time.
- Debug probes are installed to fixed paths under
C:\DebugTool\.
- Toolchains are managed under
C:\ToolChain\ by default.
License
MIT
Publisher: ovt-chris | Author: Chris Song chris.song@ovt.com | Version: 0.0.6
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