Installing MicroPython mpremote

Set up the MicroPython command-line tool on Windows, macOS or Linux.

Oct. 30, 2026 · Phyduino Pico MicroPython tutorial

mpremote is the official MicroPython command-line tool. It talks to the Phyduino Pico over USB, so you can work with the board from a terminal.

What mpremote does

Copies files to and from the board
Runs a script on the board without saving it
Opens the REPL (the interactive >>> prompt)
Lists, makes and deletes files and folders on the board
Chains several commands together in one line

All systems need Python 3 or later installed first.

Windows

Open PowerShell: press the Windows key, type PowerShell and press Enter.
Install mpremote:
Windows PowerShell
```
PS C:\Users\student> pip install mpremote
```
If there is an issue with permissions, install it just for your account:
Windows PowerShell
```
PS C:\Users\student> pip install --user mpremote
```
Check the install. You should see a list of the commands mpremote supports.
Windows PowerShell
```
PS C:\Users\student> mpremote --help
```

macOS

Open Terminal.
Install mpremote for your account:
student — -zsh — 80×24
```
student@MacBook ~ % python3 -m pip install --user mpremote
```
If you installed Python with Homebrew and get an externally-managed-environment error, use pipx instead:
student — -zsh — 80×24
```
student@MacBook ~ % brew install pipx
student@MacBook ~ % pipx install mpremote
```
Check the install:
student — -zsh — 80×24
```
student@MacBook ~ % mpremote --help
```
If the terminal says mpremote: command not found, the install folder (~/Library/Python/3.x/bin) isn't on your PATH. Run mpremote through Python instead, e.g. python3 -m mpremote --help, or if you used pipx, run pipx ensurepath once and open a new terminal.

Linux

Open a terminal.
Install mpremote for your account:
student@ubuntu: ~
```
student@ubuntu:~$ python3 -m pip install --user mpremote
```
If your distribution blocks this with an externally-managed-environment error, install pipx and use it instead:
student@ubuntu: ~
```
student@ubuntu:~$ pipx install mpremote
```
Check the install:
student@ubuntu: ~
```
student@ubuntu:~$ mpremote --help
```
If the terminal says mpremote: command not found, the install folder (~/.local/bin) isn't on your PATH. Run mpremote through Python instead, e.g. python3 -m mpremote --help, or if you used pipx, run pipx ensurepath once and open a new terminal.