I successfully am using BLACK MAGIC PROBE (BMP) with nRF Connect Extension in VScode already, based on answers in this support forum. I can Run, Pause, Examine breakpoints, ReStart, Examine a Memory View, etc. The extension currently supports Seggar J-link, but the BMP would be a great alternative because it is much less expensive.
HOWEVER several of the nice Extension features are missing. These include showing 'CONNECTED DEVICES', the 'THREAD VIEWER', connection to RTT, etc.
I am currently developing on a custom board with a nrf52840, and the following versions
*** Booting nRF Connect SDK v2.9.0-7787b2649840 ***
*** Using Zephyr OS v3.7.99-1f8f3dc29142 ***
nRF connect VS Code Extension version 2025.1.127
Below is my current launch.json file. It works, but there are a some problems that I work around:
- I have to use "type:": "cppdbg" instead of "type:":"nrf-connect"
- I have to adjust the "program" path and/or the build name if the Build Configuration in not exactly named "build". Providing better variables would be helpful.
- Likewise I have to manually adjust the line with "name": "Launch build" to match the Build Configuration
Here is my launch.json:
{
"version": "0.2.0",
"configurations": [
{
"name": "Launch build",
/*"name": "Black Magic Probe", // Ref: https://www.martinhubacek.cz/blog/black-magic-probe-vs-code/ */
"type": "cppdbg",
//"type": "nrf-connect",
"request": "launch",
/* "preLaunchTask": "build", // causes a can't find buid dialog to appear */
"cwd": "${workspaceRoot}",
"MIMode": "gdb",
"svdPath": "",
"targetArchitecture": "arm",
"logging": { "engineLogging": true },
"program": "${workspaceRoot}\\build\\${workspaceFolderBasename}\\zephyr\\zephyr.elf",
"miDebuggerPath": "C:\\gcc-arm-none-eabi\\bin\\arm-none-eabi-gdb.exe",
"stopAtEntry": true,
"customLaunchSetupCommands": [
{"text": "cd ${workspaceRoot}\\build\\${workspaceFolderBasename}\\zephyr"}, // C:\projects\ncsfund\vscode\l1_e2\build_2\l1_e2\zephyr
{"text": "target extended-remote \\\\.\\COM14"}, // replace with your COM or /dev/ttyX
{"text": "monitor swdp_scan"},
{"text": "attach 1"},
{"text": "file zephyr.elf"}, // was: "text": "file firmware.elf"
{"text": "load"},
{"text": "cd ${workspaceRoot}"}, // set bath back so VScode can find source files
{"text": "set mem inaccessible-by-default off"},
{"text": "break main"},
],
"serverLaunchTimeout": 10000,
/* "windows": { "miDebuggerPath": "arm-none-eabi-gdb.exe" } */
}
]
}
