MicroPython Studio v2.6.0 — Frozen Debugger & Reliable REPL

MicroPython Studio v2.6.0 — Firmware-first MicroPython debugger

Released 8 October 2026.

The main milestone

Raspberry Pi Pico W frozen debugger tested on real hardware: debugger features work without uploading separate boot.py, dbgref.py or trace_pump.py helpers. The firmware is installed once as a board-matched UF2, then Studio connects using the dedicated debugger USB CDC port.

Official Pico W debugger firmware v2.6.0. Use this UF2 only for Raspberry Pi Pico W, not Pico/Pico 2/Pico 2 W or ESP32.

Changes since older Studio releases

• Firmware-first debugger: Start Debug → Connect with no debugger-Python-file upload; Download firmware opens the exact board's GitHub download page.
• Simpler UI: short board picker and direct firmware downloads from the firmware repository's TestBuilds/ channel.
• Reliable REPL groundwork: Shell opens without unsolicited Ctrl-C or automatic os.uname(); improved daemon connection timeouts, COM lock handling, error reporting and explicit port ownership.
• Board pinout safety: specific ESP32-S2/S3/C3 identities, corrected 30-pin reference, and unverified pin assignments hidden.
• Local AI: choose installed Ollama models, improved timeout/error handling, no surprise reinstallation of models.
• Discoverability: clearer Marketplace description, debugger landing page and stricter release-tag checks.

Hardware availability and caveats

• Pico W: frozen debugger confirmed working without uploading helper Python files.
• Pico, Pico 2, Pico 2 W: CI builds exist but the newer frozen USB CDC debugger images still need board-specific physical acceptance.
• ESP32-S3: breakpoint/short RTA demonstration completed on split-USB hardware; long-running stability/recovery not yet certified.
• ESP32-C3: feasibility only; no released debugger firmware.

RTA Observed VM % is a fraction of observed execution-segment time, not CPU utilisation.

For Pico W, back up any existing device files and understand BOOTSEL recovery before flashing. If the board has an old, conflicting debugger boot.py, investigate/backup first—do not blindly delete user scripts.

Manual publication / demonstration

• VS Code extension: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=niwantha33.micropython-studio
• Pico W firmware release: https://github.com/niwantha33/micropython_live_dbg_firmware/releases/tag/v2.6.0
• Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or_aG-Rhnb8
• Source: https://github.com/niwantha33/micropython-studio

Release acceptance: Studio CI tests and packaging pass; Pico W firmware tested by the maintainer on a physical Pico W. Other board candidates stay experimental.

What's Changed

• Fix debugger RTA, breakpoints, dual-CDC stability, and live RTA viewer by @niwantha33 in #47
• Update website, VSCE homepage link, and ESP32 debugger tracking by @niwantha33 in #48
• Pace RTA symbol refresh traffic by @niwantha33 in #50
• Fix backend task success status by @niwantha33 in #49
• Firmware-first debugger: remove Python helper upload, correct pinout selection and guide board-specific downloads by @niwantha33 in #52
• Local AI: reliable Ollama discovery, model switching and non-destructive setup by @niwantha33 in #54
• Make real-hardware MicroPython debugging easier to discover and guard auto-publication by @niwantha33 in #55
• REPL stability: passive Shell, safe COM ownership and bounded recovery by @niwantha33 in #56
• Simplify debugger menus and download exact test firmware directly from GitHub by @niwantha33 in #57

Full Changelog: V2.1.0...v2.6.0