Raspberry Pi Pico Software / IDE Setup
Step 1: Install the Arduino IDE
- Go to the official Arduino Software page.
- Download and install Arduino IDE 2.x for your operating system.
- Open the IDE and confirm it launches correctly — check Help → About Arduino IDE to see the installed version.
Step 2: Add the Raspberry Pi Pico Board Package via Boards Manager
The Pico isn't an official Arduino board, so its board definitions have to be added through a third-party Boards Manager URL — a JSON index file the IDE reads to know which packages are available.
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Open File → Preferences (Windows/Linux) or Arduino IDE → Settings (macOS).
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Find the Additional Boards Manager URLs field and paste:
https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json -
Click OK to save.
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Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager….
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Search for pico and click Install on "Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040" by Earle F. Philhower, III.
⏳ This can take a few minutes on first install — it downloads the full RP2040 toolchain.
- Once installed, open Tools → Board → Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards. You'll see separate entries for Raspberry Pi Pico and Raspberry Pi Pico W — pick the one matching your board. They use the same package; only the board selection differs (the Pico W entry additionally enables the onboard WiFi/Bluetooth radio).
Setting Up Multiple Boards at Once
Programming a Pico and ESP32/ESP8266 (or Arduino) from the same Arduino IDE install? You can paste several Boards Manager URLs into the same field at once, separated by commas — see ESP32 & ESP8266 Setup → Setting Up Both Chips at Once for an example combining the ESP32 and ESP8266 URLs; just add the Pico URL above to that same comma-separated list.
Next: Run Your First Program
With the IDE and board package installed, connect your Pico and upload your first sketch.
➡️ Continue to First Program Guide
