# probe-rs/probe-rs

A debugging toolset and library for debugging embedded ARM and RISC-V targets on a separate host

Repository: https://github.com/probe-rs/probe-rs
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/probe-rs
Homepage: https://probe.rs
Language: Rust
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Topics: arm, debug, rust, coresight, probe-rs, arm-cores, daplink, debug-probes, jlink, stlink, riscv
Last push: 2026-08-26T20:22:55+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 93/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 82, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2761, "days_push": 7, "days_rel": 42, "gap_med": 65.5, "n_releases_24m": 9}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 2921, forks 628 (observed 2026-08-28T04:07:30.224943+00:00)

## What it is
probe-rs is a Rust toolkit and library for on-chip debugging and flashing of embedded ARM, RISC-V, and Xtensa microcontrollers via debug probes like ST-Link, J-Link, CMSIS-DAP, and FTDI. It ships a suite of tools including a CLI (probe-rs run), cargo extensions (cargo-flash, cargo-embed), a GDB server, and a VS Code debug extension implementing the Debug Adapter Protocol.

## Use cases
- flash firmware to an ARM or RISC-V microcontroller from the command line
- debug embedded firmware in VS Code with breakpoints and RTT logs
- use cargo run to flash and run firmware on a microcontroller
- read and write memory of a target MCU over SWD or JTAG
- stream defmt/RTT logs from an embedded target to the host console
- build hardware-in-the-loop test setups that control an MCU from a host
- add support for a custom chip via CMSIS-Pack or YAML target descriptions

## When to choose
- you develop embedded firmware in Rust or C and want a modern, open-source alternative to vendor tools
- you need flashing, RTT logging, and debugging across many probe types in one toolkit
- you want programmatic host-side control of a target MCU for automation or HITL testing
- you use VS Code or another DAP-compatible editor for embedded debugging

## When to avoid
- you need debugging for architectures beyond ARM, RISC-V, or Xtensa
- you rely on vendor-specific tooling features not covered by probe-rs
- you need a fully polished, production-grade debugger experience - the VS Code extension is still in alpha

## Facets
- artifact type: library
- maturity: active
- function: developer-tools, cli, sdk, embedded
- domain: embedded-systems, developer-tools, hardware, cross-platform
- platform: rust, windows, cli, cross-platform, embedded
- tags: embedded-debugging, debug-probes, swd, jtag, rtt, firmware-flashing, gdb-server, dap, vscode-extension, cmsis-pack, arm, riscv, xtensa, debugging, linux, macos

## Member repositories
- probe-rs/probe-rs (main) score 93

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:30.224943+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T07:33:47.112565+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/probe-rs/probe-rs (fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:30.224943+00:00, sha 2ce948130bf1)
  - homepage: https://probe.rs (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.545446+00:00, sha 5c564eb15ca4)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.548369+00:00, sha 3c0f0387221d)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs/getting-started/installation (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.550609+00:00, sha 91338ba417e0)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs/tools/cargo-flash (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.552772+00:00, sha e337834c0ff8)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs/tools/cargo-embed (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.554545+00:00, sha 8e5466e508cc)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs/tools/debugger (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.556489+00:00, sha 23e94178e0e1)
  - site_page: https://probe.rs/docs/knowledge-base/cmsis-packs (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.568681+00:00, sha 317cd5d95d5c)
  - registry_crates: https://crates.io/api/v1/crates/probe-rs (fetched 2026-08-29T09:49:11.571176+00:00, sha a0991f238113)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.