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The Raspberry Pi Debug Probe lets you program and debug a Pico over SWD and connect to its UART serial output through one USB device. This guide explains the wiring, host software and safety steps in Raspberry Pi’s documented workflow; it is not a report of independent performance testing.
What the Raspberry Pi Debug Probe does
Raspberry Pi identifies the Debug Probe as model SC0889. It combines a standard Arm Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface for programming and debugging with a USB-to-UART bridge for serial communication. It supports CMSIS-DAP and works with OpenOCD and other CMSIS-DAP-compatible tools. Its documented I/O voltage is nominally 3.3 V. See Raspberry Pi’s product page and Debug Probe documentation.
The package includes a USB cable and three debug leads: JST-SH to JST-SH, JST-SH to 0.1-inch female header, and JST-SH to 0.1-inch male header. Raspberry Pi describes the setup as solderless for boards with the matching debug connector, but that does not apply to every Pico-family board.
Check your Pico’s connector before wiring
Pico H with JST-SH
Raspberry Pi’s setup examples use a Pico H with a three-pin JST-SH debug connector. Connect the matching JST-SH-to-JST-SH lead between the probe and board.
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Pico or Pico W without JST-SH
For non-H Pico or Pico W boards without the debug connector, Raspberry Pi instructs users to solder a male connector to the SWCLK, GND and SWDIO header pins, then connect it with the included JST-SH-to-header lead. These boards therefore require header work for this documented connector-based setup.
Connect safely before powering up
Raspberry Pi warns: “Potential voltage differences between the two systems can cause damage to the probe.” If the target has a separate power source, remove target power or connect ground between the systems first. Only then attach the remaining signal leads. The documented signal labels are RX, TX, SC and SD; connect the leads according to the probe and target pin labels, not by assuming that signal names are interchangeable.
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Because the probe’s documented I/O voltage is nominally 3.3 V, confirm that the target’s electrical levels are compatible before connecting it. The documentation’s warning makes ground-first sequencing especially important when the target is powered independently.
Program and debug with OpenOCD and GDB
Raspberry Pi’s documented command-line workflow uses OpenOCD and GDB. Its Pico VS Code extension integrates those tools for a graphical workflow. The standalone programming example uses an ELF binary through OpenOCD; this is distinct from drag-and-drop UF2 programming.
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- Install the workflow tools. Use OpenOCD and GDB for command-line operation, or install Raspberry Pi’s Pico VS Code extension, which integrates them.
- Build a debug target. Select a Debug build rather than Release when you need source-level debugging information.
- Start OpenOCD. Run it as the debug server for the connected probe and target, following the Raspberry Pi guide for the relevant setup.
- Load the ELF and connect GDB. Use GDB to connect to the OpenOCD server and load the program for debugging or programming.
- Inspect execution. Set breakpoints, step through code and continue execution in GDB.
The VS Code extension can coordinate the software side, but it does not remove the need for correct probe wiring or a debug build when source-level symbols are needed.
Read UART serial output
The UART bridge carries serial data from the target to the computer, where it appears as a USB CDC serial port. Wire probe RX to target TX, probe TX to target RX, and connect common ground. On Linux, Raspberry Pi’s example device path is /dev/ttyACM0; other operating systems use a platform-specific port name. The official guide suggests verifying the connection with its Hello World example.
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Use RTT output over SWD instead
RTT is another documented way to expose application output over the SWD connection, without using the UART bridge. The application must enable the RTT stdio driver, and Raspberry Pi’s instructions require a debug build for this workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check firmware updates and version labels
The Debug Probe’s firmware can be updated by entering BOOTSEL mode and copying the distributed UF2 file to the mounted volume, as described in Raspberry Pi’s official instructions. Firmware releases can change, so check that page for the current file and version before updating. The documentation retrieved for this guide reported Debug Probe firmware 2.3.1; treat that as a version reported at that time, not as a guaranteed current version.
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Do not confuse the probe firmware version with the CMSIS-DAP protocol version shown by OpenOCD. They identify different things: one is the probe’s firmware release, while the other is the protocol level reported by the software.
What this guide establishes—and what it does not
Raspberry Pi’s documentation establishes the probe’s supported interfaces, included leads and intended software workflow. It does not establish comparative speed, accuracy, reliability, failure rates or value against other debugging tools. Those conclusions would require independent measurements; documented compatibility alone is not a performance comparison.
Quick Recap
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