Working with MCUXpresso Config Tools
The MCUXpresso Config Tools is a suite of evaluation and configuration tools that helps you from initial evaluation to production software development. The MCUXpresso for VS Code extension integrates with the MCUXpresso Config Tools for a seamless development experience.
Install MCUXpresso Config Tools
You can install the standalone MCUXpresso Config Tools using the MCUXpresso Installer.
In MCUXpresso for VS Code extension, navigate to Quickstart Panel → Open MCUXpresso Installer.
Select and install MCUXpresso Configuration Tools.
After installation, you can use MCUXpresso Config Tools from the MCUXpresso for VS Code extension.
Use MCUXpresso Config Tools
Open MCUXpresso for VS Code extension, right click on the project you want to configure using MCUXpresso Config Tools and choose “Open with MCUXpresso Config Tools”.
If the MCUXpresso Config Tools has been installed in a location different than the default one, you will be asked to provide the installation path.
The chosen MCUXpresso Config Tools path is set in MCUXpresso for VS Code extension settings, and it is used by default. When a newer MCUXpresso Config Tools version is found in the local file system, you will be notified with the option of updating the MCUXpresso Config Tools version in settings.
MCUXpresso Config Tools will open and load the configuration for the selected project.
For Zephyr project the MCUXpresso Config Tools will open with the choice of creating a new configuration for Zephyr RTOS.
For further details on using the MCUXpresso Config Tools please refer to the Desktop MCUXpresso Config Tools User Guide
MCUXpresso SDK 25.9 (or newer) projects
Integration with MCUXpresso Config Tools for MCUXpresso SDK 25.9 (or newer) projects is performed in one or two stages, depending on the version of MCUXpresso Config Tools version. This scenario applies for Matter projects as well.
Common workflow:
Use the MCUXpresso for VS Code extension to create (Create project) or import project.
Right click on the project and choose “Open with MCUXpresso Config Tools”. Compatibility version checks between MCUXpresso for VSCode extension, MCUXpresso SDK and MCUXpresso Config Tools are performed at this point:
To open MCUXpresso Config Tools with the support for SDK 25.9 (or newer) project, the following minimum versions are required:
MCUXpresso for VS Code extension minimum version 25.9
MCUXpresso Config Tools minimum version 25.09
MCUXpresso SDK / Matter MCUXpresso SDK: 25.9 version or later
Without these minimum requirements MCUXpresso Config Tools will open without loading a corresponding configuration for the project.
For the capability to apply in MCUXpresso for VS Code project changes performed in MCUXpresso Config Tools, the following minimum versions are required:
MCUXpresso for VS Code extension minimum version 25.12
MCUXpresso Config Tools minimum version 25.12
MCUXpresso SDK minimum version 25.12
Without these minimum requirements MCUXpresso for VS Code extension will not be able to apply changes generated in MCUXpresso Config Tools. To fully benefit from the integration of MCUXpresso for VS Code extension with MCUXpresso Config Tools we suggest upgrading to latest versions of MCUXpresso Config Tools, MCUXpresso for VS Code extension and MCUXpresso SDK.
Note: For MCUXpresso SDK 25.9 projects, MCUXpresso Config Tools will open with the corresponding configuration, but applying changes in MCUXpresso for VS Code extension will not be available.
Note: Applying changes for Matter MCUXpresso SDK projects will be available only for releases with integrated SDK version newer than 25.12.
Do the configuration-specific changes inside MCUXpresso Config Tools.
Generate/update code in MCUXpresso Config Tools. If minimum requirements are met for applying the changes in MCUXpresso for VS Code extension, note the message in MCUXpresso Config Tools that redirects you to MCUXpresso for VS Code extension and go on with the next steps.
Go to MCUXpresso for VS Code extension, note that it automatically detects changes made in MCUXpresso Config Tools and prompts you to apply those changes. Even when updates have been done multiple times in MCUXpresso Config Tools, only one action of “Apply changes” is needed in MCUXpresso for VS Code extension. By default, all needed changes are checked in the “Apply changes” checkbox, but you have the option of applying partial changes.
Press OK in the quick pick to apply the selected changes. Progress message is visible until the action has finished.
