This document will walk through the steps to set up a programming environment if you want to load your own code.

You will need to install the Arduino IDE. Download it here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Once you have the Arduino IDE installed and running we'll get the environment set up.

Before we do that, we'll cover how to get the device seen by your computer.

Depending on the device you have you may need to insert a paperclip and hold down a button or you will need to open the bottom, locate a small PCB wrapped in blue tape, and the press a black dot on the tape.

You will need to hold this reset button down while plugging the USB cable into your computer. Wait a few seconds after you plug it in and then release the button.

You should see a new drive appear on your computer. It will be named RPI-RP2.

The drive will contain two files. Ignore the files, do not delete or attmept to edit them.

Next we're going to load the needed Board Manager files.

Open the Preferences for the Arduino IDE.

In the Settings panel you'll see a section titled Additional board manager URLs:

Click the button at the right side of that…

Paste the following URL into the text area and click the OK button.

https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json

Close out the Preferences panel and go back to the main application window.

This will allow us to load the RP2040 support files.

Click the Boards Manager icon on the left side. It should be the second from the top.

Type “Philhower” into the search boxand you should see the Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040 by Earle F. Philhower appear.

Click the INSTALL button.

Note that in the screenshot it shows a REMOVE button as I already have it installed. If it shows REMOVE for you as well then congrats! It's already installed.