In action
Running on an ESP32-S3 over serial at 115200 baud.
fetch — system info
pkg — package manager
RPCortex is a full CLI operating system built in MicroPython for the RP2 family and ESP32. User accounts, WiFi, a package manager, a text editor, POST, and a complete interactive shell that truly multitasks — background services keep running while you work. All in 264 KB of RAM.
Colored prompt, full cursor navigation, command history, and session logging. Pipe commands (cat log | grep ERR) and chain them with && / ||. Commands load once and stay cached.
The shell is async by default. Start a background service like httpd --bg, then keep right on working — foreground apps cooperatively yield, so a web server (or a download, or a ping) runs while you use the prompt.
Run commands at boot (startup) or on a timer (task), and write .rps scripts with variables, if, and while. startup add task run makes the device fully autonomous.
ls, cd, mv, cp, rm, tree, df, du, head, tail. Everything you'd expect from a real shell, including colored output and file metadata.
Salted SHA256 passwords, multi-user support, per-user home directories. Accounts are created and managed entirely from the shell.
Scan, connect, and save networks. Autoconnect on boot. Includes wget, curl, runurl, ping, and nslookup. HTTP and HTTPS supported.
Install packages by name from a repo, manage repos, search and browse the index, upgrade installed packages. No reboot needed after install or remove.
A full terminal text editor accessible via edit, nano, or vi. Supports find, go-to-line, cut/paste, and save. Works over any serial connection.
Every boot runs a self-test: registry check, CPU arithmetic, RAM verification, clock calibration, and optional WiFi autoconnect. Recovery shell if anything fails.
An interactive settings panel accessible via settings. Toggle boot overclock, WiFi autoconnect, verbose boot, dynamic CPU clocking, and more — with arrow-key navigation. No registry editing needed.
Overclock and underclock via pulse. Benchmark with bench (RPCMark). System info via fetch. Heap management with freeup.
Complete command tables, shell controls, registry keys, POST details, security model, and known limitations.
docs →What's new in each release — from pipes, scripting, and OTA updates through to v1.0's true multitasking.
Release Notes →Step-by-step guide: write a command, create a package.cfg, build a .pkg with make_pkg.py, host a repo, and get listed.
| Board | Status |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W (RP2350 + WiFi) | Recommended |
| ESP32-S3 | Recommended |
| Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) | Supported |
| Raspberry Pi Pico W (RP2040 + WiFi) | Supported |
| Raspberry Pi Pico 2 (RP2350) | Supported |
| ESP32 / ESP32-S2 | Supported |
MicroPython v1.25+ • 4 MB flash recommended • 256 KB+ RAM • Serial terminal at 115200 baud
Running on an ESP32-S3 over serial at 115200 baud.
A sampling of what the shell gives you out of the box. Full reference in the docs.
ls # list with size + timestamp cd ~/projects # ~ is your home dir cp file.py bak/ tree # recursive directory tree df # flash usage edit notes.txt # open the built-in editor
wifi connect # interactive connect wget http://... # stream to flash curl http://... # print response runurl http://a.py # fetch and run ping 8.8.8.8 nslookup example.com
fetch # system info display sysinfo # OS + hardware overview pulse set 220 # overclock to 220 MHz bench # run RPCMark freeup # compact heap, report RAM settings # open settings panel
whoami mkacct alice # create account usermod alice passwd # change password rmuser alice logout # back to login
Prefer a one-click option? The Web Installer connects to your device over USB and flashes RPCortex directly from your browser — no software required (Chrome/Edge only).
Download the latest MicroPython firmware for your board from micropython.org and flash it using Thonny or picotool. v1.25+ required, v1.28 recommended.
Download the latest .zip release from GitHub and copy all files to the root of the board's filesystem using Thonny or mpremote.
Connect with PuTTY (Windows) or minicom / screen (Linux/macOS) at 115200 baud. Thonny's REPL works in a pinch but arrow keys and the editor won't function correctly.
POST runs automatically. You'll be prompted to set a root password and given a guest account. Log in and you're in the shell.
wifi connect pkg repo add https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dash1101/RPCortex-repo/main/repo/index.json pkg update pkg available pkg install HelloWorld hello
The official RPCortex package repo is hosted here. Add it once and use pkg update to stay current. Installed commands are live immediately after install. No reboot needed.
pkg repo add https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dash1101/RPCortex-repo/main/repo/index.json pkg update pkg available # list everything in the repo pkg search <query> # filter by name or description pkg install <name> pkg info <name> # show package details pkg list # what's installed pkg upgrade # update outdated packages pkg remove <name>
Packages are standard ZIP archives renamed to .pkg. Build your own with the included make_pkg.py script and submit a PR to get listed in the repo.
Full package development guide →