Downloading PTSolns IDE

The PTSolns IDE is free and open-source software for programming a wide range of microcontroller development boards.

Our goals in developing and providing PTSolns IDE:

• Free to download, No subscriptions, No fees
• No sign-ups, No sign-ins, No cloud
• Open-source & Community driven

Just write code and program your board.

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

First Time Running PTSolns IDE Additional Installs

Running PTSolns IDE for the first time triggers additional installs, which include:

• Board definitions
  
• Various libraries
  
  

These are required in order to start using PTSolns IDE with a range of microcontroller development boards. This install is automatic and takes a few minutes. During this time the user must wait before first uploading a sketch to a board.

The output messages and warnings during this first time launching PTSolns IDE vary depending on the operating system. For example, on Windows a progress bar is shown and messages are printed in the Output pane. While on Ubuntu an error message may appear: "Could not complete initial setup: Failed to fetch or parse PTSolns boards JSON: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'find')".

 

Adding Third Party Boards to PTSolns IDE

Adding third party boards, such as for example the "Arduino AVR" board to program the popular Arduino Uno R3, is quick and easy. From within PTSolns IDE navigate to the Board Manager and search the board to be installed.

 

Adding Third Party Libraries to PTSolns IDE

There are over 8500+ third party libraries available to be added to PTSolns IDE. Adding a third party library, such as for example the useful "LoRa.h", is quick and easy. Navigate to the Library Manager and search the library to be installed.

 

Installing the CH340 Driver from within PTSolns IDE

Many microcontroller development boards have a version of the popular CH340 IC (e.g. CH340C, CH340G). For Windows and macOS these drivers need to be installed manually. This is a one-time installation, and can be done quickly from within PTSolns IDE.

For more detailed instructions see the CH340 Driver Installation help page.

To being, open "Tools" and select "Install CH340 Driver".

Upon pressing "Install CH340 Driver" a separate install window opens. Press "Next".

Press "Install" to start the installation. This should only take a few seconds.

The CH340 is now installed. Close the installation window by pressing "Finish".

Blue SmartScreen During Windows Install

PTSolns IDE distributes binaries that are signed using trusted code signing mechanisms, ensuring compliance with Windows security requirements and preventing kernel mode enforcement issues or blue screen related execution blocks in most Western jurisdictions, although some users may still encounter Windows SmartScreen warnings depending on local policy and reputation based checks.

If the blue Windows SmartScreen prompt appears during installation of PTSolns IDE, it typically indicates that the code signing is not recognized in your region. In this case, select "More info" and then choose "Run anyway" to proceed with the installation.

 

macOS Gatekeeper During Mac Install

When installing this application on macOS, you may see a warning from Apple Gatekeeper stating that the app cannot be verified. This is expected at this time.

We are currently in the process of obtaining Apple Developer ID signing and notarization for macOS. Until this process is complete, macOS will block the app by default.

To run the application anyway:

1. Open System Settings
   
2. Go to Privacy and Security
   
3. Scroll to the Security section
   
4. Click "Open Anyway" for this application
   
   

After approving it once, the app will open normally in the future.

This warning does not indicate malware. It is a result of the app not yet being signed and notarized by Apple.

 

Software, Boards & Library Updates

PTSolns IDE periodically pushes updates relating to the software itself, but also board definitions and third-party libraries. These updates can include improved or additional features, or bug fixes. It is best practice to always keep PTSolns IDE up to date.

If an update becomes available a message relating to the update is shown on the bottom-right window when launching PTSolns IDE anew. Updates can be done by simply clicking on the suggested updates. If the PTSolns IDE software itself has an update the version number will be increment and a software shut-down and re-opening is automatically initiated. 

To manually check if a software update is available by selecting from the top bar menu "Help" and then "Check for PTSolns IDE Updates".

 

Linux Live Ubuntu USB Boot

PTSolns IDE can operate on Linux OS, including booting from a USB drive with Ubuntu installed. Follow these steps to run PTSolns IDE on Ubuntu booted from a USB drive.

1. After downloading the software, right-click on the app icon or file and choose "Properties". Enable the "Executable as Program" option.
   
2. Right-click on an empty part inside the folder and choose "Open In Terminal".
   
   In the Terminal type:
   
   
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   ./ptsolns-ide_*_Linux_64bit.AppImage --no-sandbox
   

   
   NOTE: Insert the version of the software in place of the *. E.g. If downloaded version v0.0.20 then the command becomes:
   
   
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   ./ptsolns-ide_v0.0.20_Linux_64bit.AppImage --no-sandbox
   

   
   
   
3. If a serial permission error appears, run the following commands, one at a time:
   
   
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   sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
   

    

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   sudo usermod -a -G plugdev $USER
   

    

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   sudo reboot
   

   
   

NOTE: These additional steps are only required when running Ubuntu from a live USB environment due to system-level security restrictions. On a normally installed Ubuntu system, the IDE is expected to run without these extra steps.