pico-autoflash-mac.py

import os
import time
import shutil
import subprocess
import signal
import sys
import argparse

#If the applescript stops working or you don't want the function, set enableapplescript to False
enableapplescript = True

applescript_code = '''tell application "System Events"
    try
        set _groups to groups of UI element 1 of scroll area 1 of group 1 of window "Notification Center" of application process "NotificationCenter"
        repeat with _group in _groups
            set temp to value of static text 1 of _group
            if temp contains "Disk Not Ejected Properly" then
                perform (first action of _group where description is "Close")
            end if
        end repeat
    end try
end tell'''

def execute_applescript(code):
    subprocess.run(['osascript', '-e', code], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)

def exit_gracefully(signum, frame):
    # Exit the program gracefully
    print("\nExiting...")
    sys.exit(0)

# Register the signal handler for SIGINT (Ctrl+C)
signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, exit_gracefully)

# Create the argument parser
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Pico Firmware Flasher')
parser.add_argument('uf2_file_path', metavar='PATH', type=str, help='PATH: location of a uf2 formatted flash file')
parser.add_argument('-v', '--volume_path', type=str, help='Path to the volume (optional)')

# Parse the command-line arguments
args = parser.parse_args()

# Check if the uf2_file_path argument is provided
if not args.uf2_file_path:
    parser.error("uf2 file location is missing.")

# Check if the volume_path argument is provided, otherwise use the default value
if args.volume_path:
    volume_path = args.volume_path
else:
    volume_path = "/Volumes/RPI-RP2"

# Print the initial message
print("Press CTRL+C to exit - Warning: Exiting while flashing a Pico could damage the Pico.")

# Loop indefinitely
while True:
    # Check if the RP2 drive is available
    if os.path.exists(volume_path):
        print("Pico detected - Attempting to write firmware")
        try:
            # Copy the UF2 file to the RP2 drive
            shutil.copy2(args.uf2_file_path, volume_path)
            # Wait for the copy operation to complete before printing the message
            with open(os.path.join(volume_path, os.path.basename(args.uf2_file_path)), 'rb') as f:
                os.fsync(f.fileno())
            # Print a message indicating that the firmware has been installed
            print("Firmware installed - Rebooting Pico")
        except PermissionError:
            print("Permission Error: Unable to copy firmware to the Pico. Please reconnect the Pico and try again.")
        except FileNotFoundError:
            print("Error: UF2 file not found. Please check the file location.")
        except Exception as e:
            if str(e) == "[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '{}'".format(volume_path):
                print("Error: Volume path '{}' not found. Please check the volume path.".format(volume_path))
            else:
                print("Unknown Error: {}".format(e))

    # Wait for 5 seconds before checking again
    time.sleep(5)

    if enableapplescript:
        execute_applescript(applescript_code)
    time.sleep(5)

Revision 3

Massive rewrite

• Arguments: now you have to tell the script where the u2f file is without editing the script - but the volume path is optional
• AppleScript that will close the Disk was not ejected notifications cause no one likes those - Tested only on Ventura - function runs every 5 seconds
• Ability to disable AppleScript so you don't need to rewrite chunks of code
• Parsing some errors I found
• Basic device detection (really seeing the volume is there)

@monkeymademe this is fantastic! Saving me a ton of time while I flash about 350 boards.

Do you have a tip jar?

@monkeymademe this is fantastic! Saving me a ton of time while I flash about 350 boards.

Do you have a tip jar?

Woah what you doing with 350 boards! Glad this script helps. Actually I don't have a tip jar setup but I run a Raspberry Jam in Berlin and welcome donations via pay pal - raspberryjamberlin@gmail.com if that works

I'm using this to make my life easier flashing firmware onto the RP2040 Advanced Breakout Board for the GP2040-CE project.

I'm using this to make my life easier flashing firmware onto the RP2040 Advanced Breakout Board for the GP2040-CE project.

Nice! tomorrow is a Jam so I will take a look after (bandwidth is low with Jams being tomorrow) One thing I will say I will make a simple windows version of this script for those that are Macless. So if you need windows I'll linky a file next week.

For the windows users here is the counterpart to this script pico-autoflash-windows.py

It works and functions the same way just a little simpler as we don't need to remove the Drive was not ejected messages that are on windows.