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==== Install Pico Zero Library ====
<color #db5f0b>Jun 2026</color>
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Library files are like device drivers, they allow you to run commands to do something with a device.
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The picozero library is a simplified driver file for the Pi Pico.
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You should now have a Thonny icon on your desktop. Double click the icon to start Thonny.
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{{ :install-thonny_10_.png?600 |}}
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First page you will see is the options page. From here select your preferred language. Leave the 'Initial settings' at Standard.
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{{ :install-thonny_11_.png?300 |}}
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Click the 'Lets Go' button.
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Thonny will now open.
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** At this point, please connect your Raspberry Pi Pico to your computers USB Port **
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First thing we want to do with Thonny is select the device we are working with from the bottom right hand corner of the Thonny Application.
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{{ :install-thonny_12_.png?700 |}}
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If you pico is not listed, then your computer has not recognised the device.
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Next, from the Thonny toolbar, we are going to select Tools and then Manage Packages.
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A box will open. In the search bar enter <color #00a2e8>picozero</color> then click hte Search on PyPI button.
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In the Search results, you should see the entry <color #00a2e8>picozero</color>. Click on this entry (it's a hyperlink).
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This will take you to the <color #00a2e8>picozero</color> page where you can click install.
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You will see the picozero installer running.
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Now you can click the Close button.
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That is it, you have installed and dome some basic configuration of Thonny.
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So now the picozero library has been installed you can write some MicroPython code in Thonny.
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This example code is allows the picozero library to flash or "blink" the onboard LED:
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<code | download>
#import the pico_led function from the picozero library, this allows you to control the onboard LED.
from picozero import pico_led

#now we tell the onboard LED to "blink" on and off at a time period of 0.5 seconds
pico_led.blink(0.5)
</code> 

This is a simple way and great to get started but it is limited, you can get the same result using other library's 
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For more examples of controlling you Pi Pico with MicroPython please go [[micro_python|here]].  
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