arduino-cli

Arduino CLI Plugin for Claude Code

A Claude Code plugin that enables Claude to create, compile, and upload Arduino projects using the arduino-cli command-line tool.

Features

• 5 slash commands for the complete Arduino workflow: create sketches, compile, upload, manage boards, and install libraries
• Auto-activating skill that gives Claude Arduino domain knowledge whenever you discuss embedded development
• Automatic board detection that identifies connected Arduino hardware and resolves the correct FQBN (Fully Qualified Board Name)
• Smart core management that auto-installs platform cores when needed
• Comprehensive reference library covering 30+ boards, troubleshooting guides, and reusable code patterns

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Prerequisites

Requirement	Details
arduino-cli	Install from arduino.github.io/arduino-cli
Python 3	Used by helper scripts for JSON parsing (pre-installed on macOS)
Claude Code	The Claude Code CLI tool
Arduino board	Any supported board: Arduino AVR (Uno, Nano, Mega), SAMD (MKR, Zero), Renesas (UNO R4), ESP32, ESP8266, Adafruit, Raspberry Pi Pico, STM32, and more

Verify arduino-cli is installed:

arduino-cli version

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Installation

Load the plugin when launching Claude Code:

claude --plugin-dir /path/to/this/plugin

For example:

claude --plugin-dir ~/Desktop/claude-arduino-skill

Permissions

The plugin includes a .claude/settings.local.json that pre-approves the following operations so you don't get prompted for each command:

• All arduino-cli subcommands (compile, upload, sketch new, core install, lib install, etc.)
• Execution of the plugin's helper scripts
• Basic file operations (ls, mkdir, cat, chmod)

You can review and modify these permissions in .claude/settings.local.json.

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Quick Start

Get from zero to a blinking LED in 6 steps:

1. Connect Your Board

Plug your Arduino board into a USB port.

2. Verify Detection

/arduino-boards

This lists all connected boards with their port, FQBN, and installed platform cores.

3. Create a Sketch

/arduino-new Blink

This creates a Blink/Blink.ino file with Arduino boilerplate. You can also describe what you want:

"Create an Arduino sketch that blinks the built-in LED every 500ms and prints the uptime to serial"

Claude will generate the appropriate code automatically.

4. Compile

/arduino-build Blink

The command auto-detects your connected board's FQBN and installs the platform core if needed. On success, it reports flash and RAM usage.

5. Upload

/arduino-upload Blink

Compiles the sketch (ensuring it's up to date) and uploads it to the detected board. On success, it suggests opening a serial monitor.

6. Monitor (Optional)

After upload, you can monitor serial output:

arduino-cli monitor -p /dev/cu.usbmodem* -c baudrate=9600

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Commands Reference

/arduino-new

Create a new Arduino sketch project.

Syntax:

/arduino-new <sketch-name>

Behavior:

• Creates a sketch directory with a .ino file using arduino-cli sketch new
• If you described functionality in the conversation, Claude replaces the boilerplate with working code
• Detects connected boards and reports the FQBN for building
• Suggests next steps (/arduino-build, /arduino-upload)

Examples:

/arduino-new TemperatureLogger
/arduino-new MotorController

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/arduino-build

Compile an Arduino sketch for a target board.

Syntax:

/arduino-build [sketch-path] [--fqbn <FQBN>]

Arguments:

Argument	Required	Description
sketch-path	No	Path to sketch directory or .ino file. If omitted, searches the current directory.
--fqbn <FQBN>	No	Target board FQBN (e.g., arduino:avr:uno). If omitted, uses the detected board.

Behavior:

1. Finds the sketch -- searches current directory for .ino files if no path given
2. Resolves the board -- uses the --fqbn argument, detected board, or asks you
3. Installs the platform core if not already installed (e.g., arduino:avr, esp32:esp32)
4. Compiles and reports flash/RAM usage
5. On errors -- analyzes compilation errors, identifies issues in source code, and suggests or applies fixes. If libraries are missing, suggests /arduino-libs.

Examples:

/arduino-build
/arduino-build MySketch
/arduino-build MySketch --fqbn arduino:avr:nano

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/arduino-upload

Upload a compiled sketch to a connected Arduino board.

Syntax:

/arduino-upload [sketch-path] [--port <port>] [--fqbn <FQBN>]

Arguments: