Thonny

Jun 2026

Introduction

Thonny, an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software application that provides a central interface for programmers to write, test, and debug code. It combines essential tools—such as a code editor, compiler, and debugger—into a single program to make software development much more efficient.

What Thonny actually is

Thonny is a Python development environment that includes:

A built‑in Python interpreter

A simple code editor

A debugger

Tools for uploading code to microcontrollers (like the Pico)

It’s designed so you can focus on learning or experimenting without being overwhelmed by complex menus or settings.

Why people use Thonny for Raspberry Pi Pico

This is where Thonny really shines.

It can detect a Pico automatically

It lets you install MicroPython firmware onto the Pico

You can run code directly on the board

You can save files to the Pico’s flash storage

It shows the Pico’s serial output in real time

It’s basically the easiest way to get started with MicroPython on a Pico.

What you can do with Thonny

Write Python scripts

Upload code to a Pico or Pico W

Debug your code step‑by‑step

Inspect variables

Use the REPL (interactive Python prompt)

Manage files on the Pico

It’s intentionally simple, but powerful enough for real projects.

Install Pico Zero Library

Library files are like device drivers, they allow you to run commands to do something with a device.
The picozero library is a simplified driver file for the Pi Pico.
You should now have a Thonny icon on your desktop. Double click the icon to start Thonny.
First page you will see is the options page. From here select your preferred language. Leave the 'Initial settings' at Standard.
Click the 'Lets Go' button.
Thonny will now open.
** At this point, please connect your Raspberry Pi Pico to your computers USB Port **
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.
If you pico is not listed, then your computer has not recognised the device.
Next, from the Thonny toolbar, we are going to select Tools and then Manage Packages.
A box will open. In the search bar enter picozero then click hte Search on PyPI button.
In the Search results, you should see the entry picozero. Click on this entry (it's a hyperlink).
This will take you to the picozero page where you can click install.
You will see the picozero installer running.
Now you can click the Close button.
That is it, you have installed and dome some basic configuration of Thonny.
So now the picozero library has been installed you can write some MicroPython code in Thonny.
This example code is allows the picozero library to flash or “blink” the onboard LED:

#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)

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

*Installing Thonny
*Running Thonny and Initial Setup
*Install Pico Zero Library