Integration with IDEs

LinkServer is one of the components used by MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code extension and MCUXpresso IDE for debugging a target device.

More details regarding the IDEs can be found in the specific documentation, for example:

This document describes the procedure to configure the MCUXpresso for VS Code extension and the MCUXpresso IDE to use a new/specific LinkServer version. This capability is useful when a newer LinkServer version is available or a specific version is required.

First, download the new/specific LinkServer installer package and install it, then follow these additional steps:

MCUXpresso for VS Code extension

VS Code automatically uses the latest LinkServer version detected in the default installation location. The MCUXpresso Installer handles LinkServer installation into the proper place.

The following steps are necessary when installing an older LinkServer version or if LinkServer is installed in a non-default path.

  1. Open the VS Code.

  2. Open the Settings editor from the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) with Preferences: Open Settings and search mcuxpresso.linkserver.path.

  3. Set the new/custom path to LinkServer in Linkserver: Path field.

  4. Refresh the Debug probes in the DEBUG PROBES panel.

MCUXpresso IDE

Associating at LinkServer install time

The simplest way to associate with MCUXpresso IDE is at the time a new LinkServer version is installed. The installer allows selecting from compatible MCUXpresso IDE installations detected on the system, which is automatically configured to use the LinkServer version being installed.

If extra changes are needed after LinkServer installation, or for older LinkServer versions, the following sections are useful.

Configuring the default LinkServer version globally

Note: The following command changes the default LinkServer version used in the specified MCUXpresso IDE and applies for any workspace. Therefore, this approach is recommended over the current workspace only method described later.

  1. Close the MCUXpresso IDE if it is open.

  2. Navigate to the new LinkServer installation path and execute the following command:

./LinkServer maint ide associate <path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder>

Where:

  • <path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder> is the folder where the MCUXpresso IDE is installed.

Example:

./LinkServer maint ide associate C:\NXP\MCUXpressoIDE_24.9.25

Or use ./LinkServer maint ide select to show compatible MCUXpresso IDE installations and interactively select the desired one. Similarly, ./LinkServer gui maint opens a GUI interface for selecting MCUXpresso IDE installations.

This method changes the Default path to LinkServer. To verify:

  • Open the MCUXpresso IDE.

  • Go to:

    • MCUXpresso IDE -> Window -> Preferences… for Windows/Linux

    • MCUXpresso IDE -> Settings… for macOS

  • Expand the MCUXpresso IDE -> Debug Options -> LinkServer Options category. Verify that the Default Path under the LinkServer path configuration section is set to the selected LinkServer location.

Configuring the default LinkServer version globally (alternative)

This alternative method does not use LinkServer maint ide commands, being useful for older LinkServer versions.

  1. Close the MCUXpresso IDE if it is open.

  2. Execute the following command:

<path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder>\ide\mcuxpressoide -application com.nxp.mcuxpresso.headless.application -nosplash -run set.config.preference com.nxp.mcuxpresso.core.debug.support.linkserver:linkserver.path.default_path=<path_to_LinkServer_installation_folder>

Where:

  • <path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder> is the folder where the MCUXpresso IDE is installed.

  • <path_to_LinkServer_installation_folder> is the folder where the new/custom LinkServer is installed.

Example:

C:\NXP\MCUXpressoIDE_24.9.25\ide\mcuxpressoide -application com.nxp.mcuxpresso.headless.application -nosplash -run set.config.preference com.nxp.mcuxpresso.core.debug.support.linkserver:linkserver.path.default_path=c:\NXP\LinkServer_24.10.15

Configuring LinkServer for the current workspace only

The MCUXpresso IDE has a workspace-level user preference that can be used to override the default LinkServer version by pointing to a custom installation path.

Note: This preference must be configured for any new workspace.

  1. Open the MCUXpresso IDE.

  2. Go to:

    • MCUXpresso IDE -> Window -> Preferences… for Windows/Linux

    • MCUXpresso IDE -> Settings… for macOS

  3. Expand MCUXpresso IDE -> Debug Options -> LinkServer Options category.

  4. Enable Custom Path inside the LinkServer path configuration section.

  5. Browse to the new/specific LinkServer installation folder.