VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

S P — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:55:06 GMT

This is what's going on:

PWM demo from BM package - builds correctly, local code navigation is OK, but cannot parse a single header and hence no cross-file navigation.

Another similar project you can see on the same screenshot (ble_ledbutton which is a ble_lbs demo) has the cross-file navigation working just fine.

Both utilize default build configuration, yet very different outcome. Any suggestion what to check ?

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

Kenneth — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:47:15 GMT

Hi,

I am not sure I understand, this is a screenshot of my setup, what are you missing?

This is me hovering over a function:

This is me trying to add an api call:

Kenneth

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

S P — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:58:08 GMT

Thanks Kenneth, got both points.

Can you please check #6 once again - like stated in the update, it can navigate throughout a current file, but fails to parse the dependencies. Can I pull diag logs, or check some settings ?

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

Kenneth — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:12:42 GMT

Hi Sergey,

I have forwarded the input to the VS code extension team, the feedback for now is that it can partly be done by:

Edit1: Screenshot not from Bare Metal (BM) SDK, but same should be possible with BM SDK in VS code also.

Edit2: I forgot to comment on why all projects need softdevice, this is something they are considering, but the main advantage of always having a softdevice is the possibility for DFU.

Kenneth

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

S P — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 20:52:35 GMT

Kenneth, appreciate the comments.

Selecting the application build revealed the Sources folder 👍 So #5 resolved.

"Active App Follows..." checkbox removed, good idea.

S115 vs S145 - I know the difference, but quite confusing why not all demos support S145 if it's a superset, and never version. But that's minor. Main question was how I can create a BM application without SoftDevice at all, as it supposedly is not needed for proprietary protocol.

Am I getting it right, that no other demos from the NCS-BM are supposed to work, except the 23 listed ? Well I would remove them altogether then, because when something doesn't work out of box, it looks like there's a fundamental problem on my side. Anyway, #3 resolved.

Watched that intro video prior to diving in. Lot of great insight, but the hands-on shows nothing about project configuration at all. It's already configured and open, and the guy just clicks "Flash", and everything magically works. Not my case unfortunately. BTW, reviewing it very carefully again, now I see his build configuration has at least 4 components - "ble_lbs", "firmware_loader", "installer", one barely visible ("mcuboot" ?), and most likely it should include the "softdevice" as well (5?). How did he get there !? Any advanced guide on compound projects ?

And new items:

7. Pressing "Build All Configurations" on the application plank runs build process for the different project:

8. Is it possible to add "Build" and "Clean and Build" buttons to the configuration plank ? This would also resolve the potential issue with an active project focus.

Thanks again !

Sergey

RE: VS Code Extension + Bare Metal SDK = not much works correctly

Kenneth — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:29:10 GMT

Hello,

I will forward your input internally so it can be looked into as improvements moving forward.

To answer your question about why seemingly the source files are missing from the application window, make sure to select the application build, like this:

Also, personally I like to uncheck this one to avoid that is selects a different build if you by accident click on a file outside of the current project:

You can find more information about the difference between the S115 (peripheral role only) and S145 (peripheral and central role), along with the BM documentation here in case it can be helpful:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/category/bare-metal

Also there is an introduction here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31znTI-hnCQ

A list of the currently supported samples: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/nrf-bm-latest/page/samples.html

Kenneth