# My notes on getting setup - Linux targeting 32blit, picosystem, VGAboard, HTML and windows exe
**URL:** https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070
**Category:** Beta Testers
**Created:** [October 19, 2021, 5:35am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070 "2021-10-19T05:35:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:35am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/1 "2021-10-19T05:35:23Z")
ETA prime, did a review of the PicoSystem and threw down a challenge to play some community made games on his next video!
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_5voWb7MYU)
PicoSystem and VGA Board a [very similar](https://github.com/32blit/32blit-sdk/blob/master/docs/pico.md#board-specific-details), so if you choose to get a VGA Board instead, I think that should be fine.
This forum has limits on links and replies… :/
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:35am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/2 "2021-10-19T05:35:57Z")
I’m not an expert, there’s a lot of noob hacks here, but to encourage others, here are my notes on setting up.
32blit is very impressive how it can target so many platforms!
Sorry I wont be mentioning Mac or chrome OS’s, I’m not familiar at all with them.
I’m mostly in the 32blit discord (Chat) - [32blit](https://discord.gg/7qM9ftC)
But I can try and answer/help here to.
**General noob tips:**
The 32blit documentation is pretty good, but I still got caught out here and there.
Keep folders names simple, ie no spaces or none ASCI chars, including user name!
Make sure your .profile or .bash\_profile etc can be run correctly in your window terminal before starting!
Sometimes they have access issues, ie a quick fix can be:
chmod 777 $HOME/.bash\_profile
If you want to build faster use:
make -j4
The number is the threads to run, the more the faster
I’m a git,cmake,arm noob, it’s best to git clone each repo then to download them as zips, this is required by some, but best to do for all, IE:
git clone -b master [GitHub - raspberrypi/pico-sdk](https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-sdk.git)
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:36am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/3 "2021-10-19T05:36:34Z")
Each target has it’s own build folder in the 32blit-sdk (or your game) folder
ie build.stm32 build.em etc.
Here is the directory structure at the end.
> $HOME/
>
> > emsdk
> > pico-sdk
> > 32blit-tools
> > pico-extras
> > pico-sdk
> > gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update (not required, and probably a me thing)
> > .local/bin (auto generated - location of the 32blit tool)
> > 32blit-beta (latest branch for pico devices)
>
> > 32blit-sdk/
> >
> > > build
> > > build.picosystem
> > > build.vgaboard
> > > build.win
> > > build.em
> > > build.stm32
**My setup.**
I thought I would use a new linux flavor, I went with MX (debian based) and picked XFCE (and unknowingly stable).
Here are the links:
[https://distrowatch.com/?newsid=11206](https://distrowatch.com/?newsid=11206)
> **[MX-Linux - Browse /Final at SourceForge.net](https://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-linux/files/Final/)**
>
> MX-Linux project
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### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:37am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/4 "2021-10-19T05:37:42Z")
MX-19.4\_July\_x64.iso
Eclipse, my IDE of choose for over 20years now!
[https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/release/2021-09/r/eclipse-ide-cc-developers](https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/release/2021-09/r/eclipse-ide-cc-developers)
I installed this to a Virtual Box image, so it’s self contained, the USB devices are automatically forward to the VM.
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **linux** _
Easy one, but install gdb if you plan on debugging natively!
Follow: [32blit-sdk/Linux.md at master · 32blit/32blit-sdk · GitHub](https://github.com/32blit/32blit-sdk/blob/master/docs/Linux.md)
The OS app control keys are (see hardware-test app):
Dpad = arrow keys or WASD
A = Z key
B = X key
X = C key
Y = V key
Home = 1 key
Menu = 2 or ESC key
Joystick = Mouse within app screen
Joystick press = 3 key
Tilt controls, I don’t know.
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### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:38am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/5 "2021-10-19T05:38:12Z")
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **32blit tool** _
I found this part a bit confusing.
In your $HOME folder (not 32blit root)
git clone the [GitHub - 32blit/32blit-tools: 32blit asset management and upload tool](https://github.com/32blit/32blit-tools)
It also requires:
> **[GitHub - pimoroni/boilerplate-python: Boilerplate and common files/structure...](https://github.com/pimoroni/boilerplate-python)**
>
> Boilerplate and common files/structure for a Pimoroni Python library. - GitHub - pimoroni/boilerplate-python: Boilerplate and common files/structure for a Pimoroni Python library.
I don’t know the git commands to do it, but basically I just download the zip and extract it into the 32blit-tools dir.
Next, I had issues running pip3, not in the path (of sudo possibly), again, I brought forced scripts that used pip3, replacing it with
python3 -m pip
pip3 install 32blit
or
python3 -m pip install 32blit
That will build tool and install the tool into ~/.local/bin and add the path to your env file setting, ie .profile
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### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:39am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/6 "2021-10-19T05:39:15Z")
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **stm32** _
AKA 32blit: [https://32blit.com/](https://32blit.com/)
First do this, give your user access to serial device!
>
>
> I had an issue , while trying to do flash
> Cannot open /dev/ttyUSB0: Permission …denied
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gtkterm/+bug/949597
>
> I palliated to this problem with the command " sudo chmod -R 777 /dev/ttyUSB0 " each time I wanted to flash.
>
> Do you know more about these bugs ? This maybe due to an ubuntu bug (Ubuntu 16 LTS) but I don't know
On my debian stable, or the MX repo the gcc-arm-none-eabi package (from 2018) couldn’t build the stm32.
I had to “brought force it”… and downloaded the tar.bz2 file and extracted it and manually fixed up the paths in .profile
PATH="$HOME/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update/bin:$PATH"
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:39am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/7 "2021-10-19T05:39:49Z")
gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86\_64-linux.tar.bz2 from [GNU Toolchain | GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain Downloads – Arm Developer](https://developer.arm.com/tools-and-software/open-source-software/developer-tools/gnu-toolchain/gnu-rm/downloads)
I had to specifcy -DPICO\_TOOLCHAIN\_PATH=$HOME/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update in stm32/pico cmake commands below.
32blit can printf to the TTY terminal, install one, ie:
sudo apt-get install putty cu minicom screen
I found screen to work the easiest (no params), ie:
screen /dev/ttyACM0
Updated the firmware:
>
Put the 32blit in DFU mode (hold X/Y and press reset) , winplug the USB cable in.
32blit flash firmware/firmware.bin
or
make firmware-update.flash
next install the launcher:
32blit install launcher/launcher.blit
or
make launcher.flash
intall all the other demos (see bottom of Makefile for more info):
make install DEMO-NAME.flash
You now should have a working and demo loaded 32blit!
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/8 "2021-10-19T05:40:21Z")
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **Emscripten** _
Follow:
>
make sure paths are correctly executed when a new shell/terminal is open, ie: source $HOME/emsdk/emsdk\_env.sh
mkdir build.em
cd build.em
emcmake cmake … -D32BLIT\_DIR=$HOME/32blit-sdk
make
I like to create a script file that starts the server is helpful:
#!/bin/bash
python3 -m http.server
Run in a terminal and CTRL C to stop it.
I don’t know why, but firefox doesn’t like it, chrome browser works fine.
The keyboard buttons (from hardware-test app):
[http://0.0.0.0:8000/32blit-sdk/build.em/examples/hardware-test/hardware-test.html](http://0.0.0.0:8000/32blit-sdk/build.em/examples/hardware-test/hardware-test.html)
Same as the OS controls.
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### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/9 "2021-10-19T05:40:52Z")
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **windows exe** _
>
sudo apt-get install mingw-w64
after: sudo mkdir -p /opt/local/
make it accessible:
sudo chmod -R 777 /opt/local
in 32blit-sdk root
cd to
mkdir build.win32
cd build.win32
cmake … -DCMAKE\_TOOLCHAIN\_FILE=…/mingw.toolchain
make -j4
**-----------------------------------------------------------------**
_ **setting up PicoSystem / VGA BOARD** _
VGA BOARD
> **[Pimoroni Pico VGA Demo Base – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pimoroni-pico-vga-demo-base)**
>
> Built especially to showcase the low cost, feature-rich RP2040 chip on the Raspberry Pi Pico, this board has VGA output, an SD card slot, digital I2S audio output, and more!
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:41am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/10 "2021-10-19T05:41:25Z")
PicoSystem
> **[PicoSystem – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem)**
>
> A tiny hackable dev handheld with RP2040 at its heart ❤
Both being based on the RP Pico, require the same source code, nothing is built in these folders.
> **[GitHub - raspberrypi/pico-sdk](https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-sdk)**
>
> Contribute to raspberrypi/pico-sdk development by creating an account on GitHub.
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/11 "2021-10-19T05:42:10Z")
Also read the PDF section 2.1. Get the SDK and examples
> **[getting-started-with-pico.pdf](https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/pico/getting-started-with-pico.pdf)**
>
> 32.95 MB
In your $HOME folder (not 32blit root)
git clone -b master [GitHub - raspberrypi/pico-sdk](https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-sdk.git)
cd pico-sdk
git submodule update --init
---
### Author:  [@Caperjack1953](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Caperjack1953)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/12 "2021-10-19T14:11:54Z")
thta read just blew my ADHD all to hell ,great post ,thanks for posting , I dont code ,just use otheres and I thank you and otheres for doing that part for people like me , I have the VGABoard hanging pretty on my Pi/Pico wall ,tried a few time using others instructions ,but never got anywere and Gave Up .
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### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 20, 2021, 5:07am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/13 "2021-10-20T05:07:01Z")
sorry about that, i ask for it to get removed,
My full notes are here:
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/585104736462569474/899898060044374036/pico.txt](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/585104736462569474/899898060044374036/pico.txt)
---
### Author:  [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)
#### Post date: [October 20, 2021, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/14 "2021-10-20T08:39:14Z")
@mgarcia Jack wasn’t complaining, not about what you posted. I’d leave it up.
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### Author:  [@Caperjack1953](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Caperjack1953)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/15 "2021-10-21T12:05:55Z")
Yeah,Leave it up for sure ,great post ,My brain’s the issue ;)
---
### Author:  [@mgarcia](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/mgarcia)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2021, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/my-notes-on-getting-setup-linux-targeting-32blit-picosystem-vgaboard-html-and-windows-exe/18070/16 "2021-10-23T09:31:42Z")
I put my notes on my website (somewhat formated) and linked it to [archive.org](http://archive.org), which has a downloadable Linux Virtual Box Virtual Machine, that’s what I use anyway.
> **[Linux Development Virutal Machine for 32blit SDK](http://mgarcia.org/Blog/2021-10-23-Linux-Development-Virutal-Machine-for-32blit-SDK)**
>
> Linux Development Virtual Machine for 32blit, PicoSystem, VGABoard (aka reference design by Raspberry Pi Pico)....