4.1 Quick Debug/Program Reference

The following table is a quick reference for using the MPLAB PICkit 5 In-Circuit Debugger as either a debugging or programming tool.

Attention: MPLAB PICkit 5 does not support debug headers.
Table 4-1. Debug vs. Program Operation
Item Debug Program
Needed Hardware A computer, a target board (Microchip demo board or your own design), cable(s) and an optional adapter board to connect the computer to the target.
Debug Tool, USB cable, powered hub or target power supply.
Device with on-board debug circuitry. Device (with or without on-board debug circuitry), smartphone or tablet for PTG.
Needed Software MPLAB X IDE MPLAB X IDE or MPLAB IPE
Application code (example code, i.e. from MPLAB Discover, or your own code). Prebuilt code - Hex file, PTG application for smartphone or tablet.
MPLAB X IDE 
selection Project Properties, PICkit 5 as Hardware Tool.
Debug Main Project icon . Make and Program Device icon .
Program Operation Programs application code into the device. Depending on the selections on the Project Properties dialog, this can be any range of program memory. In addition, a small debug executive may be placed in program memory and other debug resources may be reserved. Programs application code into the device. Depending on the selections on the Project Properties dialog, this can be any range of program memory.
Debug Features 
Available All for device – breakpoints, etc. N/A
Serial Quick-Time 
Programming (SQTP) N/A Use the MPLAB IPE to generate the SQTP file.
Command-line Operation Use MDB command line utility, found by default in C:\Program Files\Microchip\
MPLABX\vx.xx\mplab_platform\bin\mdb.bat. Use IPECMD, found by default in C:\Program Files\Microchip\
MPLABX\vx.xx\mplab_platform\mplab_ipe\ipecmd.exe.
Programmer-To-Go (PTG) N/A Programs application code stored on a microSDHC card inserted in the MPLAB PICkit 5 into the device using PTG application.