picocom
minimal serial port terminal emulator
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
picocom [options] device
DESCRIPTION
picocom is a minimal serial port terminal emulator. It provides basic communication with serial devices like microcontrollers, routers, and embedded systems.The tool focuses on simplicity and reliability, useful for debugging and configuring serial devices.
PARAMETERS
-b, --baud baud
Baud rate (default 9600).-f, --flow x|h|n
Flow control: x=xon/xoff (software), h=hardware (RTS/CTS), n=none.-y, --parity e|o|n
Parity: e=even, o=odd, n=none.-d, --databits 5-8
Data bits (5, 6, 7, or 8).-p, --stopbits 1|2
Stop bits (1 or 2).-e, --escape char
Escape character (default: a, meaning C-a).-c, --echo
Enable local echo.-g, --logfile file
Log serial I/O to file.-t, --initstring str
Send initialization string after opening port.-i, --noinit
Skip port initialization on startup.-r, --noreset
Don't reset the port on exit.-q, --quiet
Quiet mode.-s, --send-cmd cmd
External program for file sending (default: sz -vv).-v, --receive-cmd cmd
External program for file receiving (default: rz -vv).
ESCAPE COMMANDS
Default escape prefix is C-a (Ctrl-A).C-a C-x: Exit (reset port)C-a C-q: Quit (no reset)C-a C-h / C-a C-k: HelpC-a C-s: Send (upload) fileC-a C-r: Receive (download) fileC-a C-b: Set baud rate interactivelyC-a C-u / C-a C-d: Increase / decrease baud rateC-a C-f: Cycle flow control modesC-a C-y: Cycle parity modesC-a C-i: Cycle data bitsC-a C-j: Cycle stop bitsC-a C-v: Show current port settingsC-a C-c: Toggle local echoC-a C-\\: Send break
INSTALL
CAVEATS
Device permissions may need configuration. Hardware flow control needs proper wiring. Exit via escape sequence, not Ctrl+C.
HISTORY
picocom was created by Nick Patavalis as a minimal alternative to minicom. It aims to be simple and reliable for basic serial communication without the complexity of full terminal emulators.
