Module 2: Tool Installation and Environment Setup
Overview
In this lesson, you will learn to install and configure the required development tools, including VS Code®, the compiler, and the MPLAB® for VS Code Extensions. The emphasis is on creating a stable, repeatable development environment using a VS Code Profile tailored for embedded development. The hands‑on activity will guide you through verifying tool installation, confirming device and hardware detection, and ensuring your system is ready for firmware development.
Learning Objectives
Understand the required components, and configure the development environment.
- Installing VS Code, C Compiler, and MPLAB for VS Code Extensions
- Creating and using a VS Code Profile for embedded development
Activity
Install tools, configure environment, and verify successful installation and recognition of PIC32CM MC00 CNANO development board.
Install VS Code®
Simply search in your browser to locate the VS Code download page. The Download button should be customized for your operating system; if not, click on other platforms. Launch the downloaded file to install and setup VS Code.
Setup VS Code Profile for Embedded Development
Before installing any extensions, it's best practice to first create a VS Code Profile. This captures settings, extensions, shortcuts, even color themes, to help keep different configurations of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) separate.
By first creating a profile and selecting it prior to installing the MPLAB for VS Code Extensions, it ensures they are not installed to the default profile, but only onto the active profile you wish to use.
You can reach the profile menu several ways, but the most direct is to use the Command Pallet at the top for the command > Profiles: New Profile...
or by using the Manage 
gear icon in the bottom left corner, and selecting the Profile and Profiles sub-menus.
Name your profile accordingly, click Create at the bottom of the Profiles window when finished, and then set the new profile as the Active profile from the list on the left using the checkmark next to the profile name.
Install MPLAB® for VS Code Extensions
After setting up the editor and the new profile, you can move on to installing the extensions. Installing the single MPLAB Extension Pack will ensure all the required and recommended extensions for development of Microchip devices in VS Code are installed.
This video walks you through the simple installation process by installing the single extension pack.
Install MPLAB XC C Compilers in VS Code
If you have installed MPLAB XC C compilers for MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB for VS Code may already have scanned and registered these compilers. To determine this, in the command palette enter "MPLAB: List Toolchains".
Compiler detection is implemented by the Toolchain Support for MPLAB VS Code Extensions, which is part of the MPLAB extension pack. Its sole responsibility is to find, register, and manage MPLAB XC toolchains so they can be used by build, debug, and project extensions.
On startup (and on demand), the extension automatically scans standard Microchip installation paths, such MPLAB X IDE installer paths. This includes versioned subdirectories such as ...\xc32\v6.00, so it is recommended that you install compilers on standard paths.
If you need to install your XC compiler on a non-standard path, you must register it manually using > MPLAB: Add Toolchain.
Removing an XC compiler on a non-standard path also involves manually editing of the VS Code user settings file under mplab-toolchains.customPaths.
If you install an XC compiler while VS Code is open, you must manually start a scan to register the compiler > MPLAB: Add Toolchain and then select Auto (scan).
Install Microchip Hardware Tools
Now you may connect your hardware to the PC.
- The PIC3CM MC00 Curiosity Nano board, like other Curiosity Nano boards, is simple to connect using a USB cable. Once connected, ensure the board is powered. Look for a lit power LED.
- To determine if the IDE is aware of the board, click the MPLAB icon
in the Activity bar to display the Tools view. You should see information about the connected board.
