Arduino Launches a MicroPython Package Manager for Easier Library Installation

New tool available now, running as a standalone app outside the Arduino Lab for MicroPython IDE.

The Arduino team has announced the immediate availability of a new library management system aimed at making it easier to write MicroPython code for compatible Arduino microcontrollers by providing single-click installation from an official package index.

"If you’ve been exploring MicroPython on Arduino, you already know how powerful and flexible this Python-based language can be for microcontroller programming. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, MicroPython opens up a new world of quick prototyping and clean, readable code," the Arduino team claims in support of its latest work. "Now, we're making it even easier to get started and manage your MicroPython projects with the brand new MicroPython Package Installer for Arduino!"

The Arduino ecosystem has traditionally been focused around writing C/C++ code using the Wiring library, but in recent years has been branching out into MicroPython — an implementation of the popular Python programming language tailored to microcontrollers. Arduino began experimenting with MicroPython through a partnership with OpenMV in August 2021, adding more boards and eventually launching a dedicated MicroPython integrated development environment (IDE) alongside the C/C++ Arduino IDE.

It's this dedicated IDE, the Arduino Lab for MicroPython, which has now gained an external package management system. Run outside the IDE itself, it works almost identically to the library manager in the standard Arduino IDE: it connects to an official package index and provides a searchable list of libraries, any one of which can be installed to a compatible microcontroller board in a single click. It also provides a way to add third-party packages from a URL — and all files can be automatically converted to MPY format for inclusion in a sketch.

The official package index includes, the Arduino team says, both officially-maintained packages, MicroPython standard libraries, and community contributions; those interested in adding to the latter are invited to send pull requests in to the MicroPython Package Index on GitHub.

Those who just want to try it out as an end-user, meanwhile, can find the source code and initial release on GitHub under the GNU Affero General Public License 3. Boards supported are the Arduino Portenta H7, Portenta C33, Nicla Vision, Giga, Nano RP2040, Nano ESP32, and Nano 33 BLE; "this tool may work for third party boards too," the Arduino team notes, but warns "this is, however, not officially supported."

Gareth Halfacree
Freelance journalist, technical author, hacker, tinkerer, erstwhile sysadmin. For hire: freelance@halfacree.co.uk.
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