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Raspberry Pi Pico SDK
Cambridge, United Kingdom
What it is
Raspberry Pi Pico SDK is a free, open-source development kit for writing C, C++, and assembly programs for RP-series microcontrollers. It provides headers, libraries, hardware APIs, and a CMake build system, including access to Programmable I/O. Higher-level libraries cover timers, synchronization, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking, USB, and multicore programming. The SDK targets RP2040 Arm Cortex-M0+ and RP2350 Arm Cortex-M33 and Hazard3 RISC-V devices. It can be used for simple applications, runtime environments such as MicroPython, and low-level software such as the on-chip bootrom. Getting started with the build process requires CMake, Python 3, a native compiler, and a GCC cross compiler. Developers can use the command line or IDEs such as Visual Studio Code and CLion. Raspberry Pi’s VS Code extension adds project generation, automatic CMake configuration, SDK and tool version switching, and one-click compilation and debugging. The repository uses the BSD-3-Clause license, and Raspberry Pi provides SDK and connectivity documentation.
For and against
For
- Provides C, C++, and assembly headers and libraries
- Hardware APIs include Programmable I/O access
- Includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking libraries
- Supports command-line use and IDE integration
- Official VS Code extension offers one-click compilation and debugging
Against
- Build setup requires Python 3 and two compiler types
- VS Code extension excludes 32-bit Raspberry Pi OS
- VS Code extension excludes Raspberry Pi OS Lite
The verdict
The Pico SDK provides hardware access, higher-level libraries, and a CMake build system for RP-series development. Its build prerequisites and the VS Code extension’s Raspberry Pi OS exclusions are worth checking before choosing a workflow.
Who it suits
The SDK suits developers writing software for RP-series microcontrollers, from simple applications to runtime environments and low-level system software.
Plans and prices
Free
SDK source code is open source · for Raspberry Pi RP-series microcontrollers
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Additional languages
- The VS Code extension supports MicroPython through MicroPico and offers project support for Rust and Zephyr.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Build tools
- The quick-start instructions use CMake and require Python 3, a native compiler, and a GCC cross compiler.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Raspberry Pi provides C/C++ SDK API documentation, getting-started material, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity documentation for Pico W-series devices.raspberrypi.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Editor support
- The official C SDK can be used from the command line or integrated development environments including Visual Studio Code and CLion.raspberrypi.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Extension platforms
- The VS Code extension lists Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit, Windows 10/11, macOS Sonoma 14.0 or newer, and Linux x64 and arm64 as supported platforms.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Hardware access
- Its C-level libraries and APIs provide access to RP-series hardware, including Programmable I/O (PIO).github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Included libraries
- Higher-level libraries cover timers, synchronization, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking, USB, and multicore programming.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The VS Code extension can integrate with the CMake Tools extension for enhanced CMake parsing in complex projects.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The pico-sdk repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Platform limitation
- The Raspberry Pi VS Code extension is not supported on 32-bit Raspberry Pi OS or Raspberry Pi OS Lite.raspberrypi.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The SDK provides the headers, libraries, and build system for writing C, C++, or assembly programs for RP-series microcontroller devices.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The SDK can be used for simple applications, runtime environments such as MicroPython, and low-level software such as the on-chip bootrom.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- VS Code extension
- Raspberry Pi provides an official VS Code extension with project generation, automatic CMake configuration, SDK and tool version switching, and one-click compilation and debugging.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
