Zephyr IDE Extension - Zephyr IDE Extension - 2026.1 English - UG1400

The Vitis Unified IDE supports the Zephyr IDE extension for Zephyr application workflows on the MicroBlaze V processor. In 2026.1, you can use the extension to set up a Zephyr workspace, add a project, build the application, and generate a Zephyr ELF file. You then use Vitis Unified IDE to create the launch configuration and start the debug session in user-managed mode. Use the Zephyr IDE extension documentation for Zephyr workspace, toolchain, and project setup. Use this topic for the Vitis Unified IDE steps that create the launch configuration and start the user-managed debug session. In 2026.1, the Zephyr IDE Extension comes preinstalled. You do not need to install it from the Open VSX Registry.

Before you begin, complete the following steps.

1. Click Zephyr IDE Extension at the bottom of the left toolbar. The Zephyr IDE Extension Navigator opens on the left side of the IDE.
   
   
2. Install the host tools. Select Zephyr IDE Configuration > Host Tools.
   
   
3. Verify that all host tools are installed. If a tool is not installed, click Install next to the development tool.
   Note: You must provide sudo access. If this is not possible, install the dependency outside of the IDE and then reload Vitis.
   Note: You cannot continue development inside the Zephyr IDE unless all dependencies are installed.

   There are multiple options for configuring the Zephyr workspace. The most reliable method is to clone the AMD fork of the Zephyr Project from the AMD Zephyr repository.

4. Select Zephyr IDE Configuration > Workspace.
5. Select Import West Workspace from Git.
   
   
6. When prompted for the Zephyr Git repository URL, enter https://github.com/Xilinx/zephyr-amd.git and press Enter. The workspace initialization process starts.
   
   
7. When the workspace initialization process completes, a prompt appears. Select the Zephyr SDK version to install. Select Zephyr SDK 4.2 or later.
   
   
   Note: Install the Zephyr SDK to the ~/.zephyr_ide/toolchains folder. Confirm this before continuing, because the Zephyr IDE looks for the SDK there by default.

   To create a Zephyr application on AMD platforms, you must first convert the system device tree (SDT) into a Zephyr-compatible device tree. The west lopper tool processes the SDT and generates the device tree inputs required by the Zephyr build system. Install and make the west lopper command available in the environment before creating or building Zephyr applications.

8. Open a terminal in Vitis. Select Terminal > New Terminal.
9. Activate the Python virtual environment.

   source .venv/bin/activate

10. Change to the zephyr directory and install west-lopper.

    cd zephyr
    west lopper-install

The Zephyr IDE Extension is now set up in Vitis. You can create, build, and debug Zephyr applications.

Generating a Zephyr Device Tree

1. Generate a system device tree from the XSA file exported from Vivado. Use the SDTGEN tool to run the following commands, which produce a system-top.dts file.

   set_dt_param -dir ./sdt_out
   set_dt_param -xsa microblaze_v_preset_wrapper.xsa
   generate_sdt

2. Activate the Python virtual environment to access the west lopper command.

   source .venv/bin/activate

3. Convert the SDT into a Zephyr device tree using the west lopper command. Provide system-top.dts as input.

   LOPPER_DTC_FLAGS="-b 0 -@" west lopper-command -p microblaze_riscv_0 -s design_1_wrapper/system-top.dts -w ~/zephyrproject/zephyr

Creating a MicroBlaze V Hello World Application for the AC701

1. Open the Projects panel. This panel shows a tree view of all Zephyr projects in your workspace. If this is your first project, the panel is empty.
2. Click Create Project From Template at the top of the Projects panel. The button icon shows a folder with a plus sign.
3. In the template selection prompt, select Hello World Sample at /zephyr/samples/hello_world. This option copies the Hello World sample application from the Zephyr source tree into your workspace.
   
   
4. Specify the project name and location:
   1. Project Location in current workspace — Creates a subdirectory in your open workspace folder (recommended).
   2. Project in external directory — Specify an absolute path outside the workspace.
5. Click OK and wait for project creation to complete:
   1. The Zephyr IDE copies the Hello World sample files to your project directory.
   2. A new project entry with your chosen name appears in the Projects panel.
6. Add a build configuration that specifies the target board, build directory, and build-specific settings (Kconfig overlays, device tree overlays, CMake arguments). In the Projects panel, expand your project by clicking the arrow next to the project name. Click Add Build.
7. Click the Add Build icon (plus icon) next to the project name. When prompted to select an additional board directory, select Zephyr Directory Only.
8. In the Board Picker menu, select mbv32.
9. Enter the build name (optional).
10. Select Debug for the build optimization and accept the predefined debug flags.
11. Press Enter. The Zephyr IDE creates a build directory in your project:

    hello_world/build/mbv32/

The Projects panel now shows the new project and build configuration.

To build the application, set the build as the active build. In the Projects panel, verify that the mbv32 build appears under Active Project. If it is not active, click the build name to select it.