pyavrocd 1.1.2
A cross-platform GDB server for AVR MCUs
Requires Python: <3.15,>=3.10
Keywords: AVR, EDBG, gdb-server, debugging

#  PyAvrOCD

[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue.svg?logo=opensourceinitiative&logoColor=white)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[![PyPI version](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/pyavrocd?logo=pypi&logoColor=white)](https://pypi.org/project/pyavrocd/)
[![PyPI Python Version](https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/pyavrocd?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://pypi.org/project/pyavrocd/)
[![Checked with mypy](https://www.mypy-lang.org/static/mypy_badge.svg)](https://mypy-lang.org/)
![Pylint badge](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/felias-fogg/c0d539e3ad0d10252d2aab8ad325246a/raw/pylint.json)
![Pytest badge](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/felias-fogg/c0d539e3ad0d10252d2aab8ad325246a/raw/pytest.json)
![Coverage badge](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/felias-fogg/c0d539e3ad0d10252d2aab8ad325246a/raw/pycoverage.json&maxAge=30)
[![Release workflow](https://github.com/felias-fogg/PyAvrOCD/actions/workflows/release.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/felias-fogg/PyAvrOCD/actions/workflows/release.yml)
[![Commits since latest](https://img.shields.io/github/commits-since/felias-fogg/PyAvrOCD/latest?include_prereleases&logo=github)](https://github.com/felias-fogg/PyAvrOCD/commits/main)
[![PyPI Downloads](https://static.pepy.tech/personalized-badge/pyavrocd?period=total&units=INTERNATIONAL_SYSTEM&left_color=GREY&right_color=BLUE&left_text=pypi+downloads)](https://pepy.tech/projects/pyavrocd)
![Hit Counter](https://visitor-badge.laobi.icu/badge?page_id=felias-fogg_PyAvrOCD)

<p align="center">
  <a href="https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/index.html"><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/felias-fogg/PyAvrOCD/refs/heads/main/docs/pics/logo-small.png" width="15%"></a>
</p>




PyAvrOCD is a GDB server for 8-bit AVR MCUs (see [list of supported MCUs](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/supported-mcus/) and [supported boards](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/supported-boards/)), enabling you to debug programs running on these MCUs using the [GNU Project Debugger GDB](https://www.sourceware.org/gdb/). PyAvrOCD communicates with Microchip's debug probes, such as the very affordable [MPLAB Snap](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/pg164100), and it provides a pass-through service for the UNO-based debug probe [dw-link](https://github.com/felias-fogg/dw-link) and the simulation tool [simavr](https://github.com/buserror/simavr) (see [list of supported debug probes](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/supported-debuggers/)).

So, why another open-source GDB server for AVR MCUs? The main intention is to provide a *cross-platform* AVR GDB server. In other words, it is *the missing AVR debugging solution* for the [Arduino IDE 2](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/) and [PlatformIO](https://platformio.org). In particular, the integration with Arduino IDE 2 is pretty tight, allowing one to start debugging without much hassle (see [quickstart guides](quick_arduino.md)). Additionally, PyAvrOCD excels in [minimizing flash wear](https://arduino-craft-corner.de/index.php/2025/05/05/stop-and-go/) and [protects single-stepping against interrupts](https://arduino-craft-corner.de/index.php/2025/03/19/interrupted-and-very-long-single-steps/).

<p align="center">
<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/felias-fogg/pyavrocd/refs/heads/main/docs/pics/ide2-6.png" width="70%">
</p>


When you want to install PyAvrOCD, you can [install it as part of an Arduino core](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/install-link/#arduino-ide-2), so that it can be used in the Arduino IDE 2. Furthermore, you can [download binaries](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/install-link/#downloading-binaries), you can install PyAvrOCD using [PyPI](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/install-link/#pypi), or you can, of course, [clone or download the GitHub repo](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/install-link/#github).

[Read the docs](https://felias-fogg.github.io/PyAvrOCD/index.html) for more information.


## What has been done so far, and what to expect in the future

When moving from the earlier version of the GDBserver, called [dw-gdbserver](https://github.com/felias-fogg/dw-gdbserver), to PyAvrOCD, support for JTAG Mega chips has been added. This was more work than anticipated.

If you would like to give PyAvrOCD a try, you are welcome. The integration into Arduino IDE 2 has been tested, but some cores still have to be extended. Any feedback, be it bug reports, crazy ideas, or praise, is welcome.

UPDI MCUs will follow next. I am unsure about Xmegas.