freertos-gdb
Python module for operating with freeRTOS-kernel objects in GDB
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you debug freeRTOS applications in GDB. The package is low-friction to install, has no external dependencies, and solves a real problem—raw kernel memory inspection is tedious without it. Dormant maintenance is acceptable here because the plugin targets a stable, narrow API. Not relevant if you don't use freeRTOS or don't debug with GDB.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- GDB must be built with Python 3.6+ support.
- Verify with: gdb -q -ex "python print('OK' if sys.version_info.major==3 and sys.version_info.minor>=6 else 'NOT SUPPORTED')" -ex "quit"
- Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache License 2.0 (permissive) — Apache License 2.0 is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restriction, provided you include a copy of the license.
last release 2025-02-03 (557 days) · last repo commit 2025-02-03 · 68 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 883,056 downloads/mo, #4,817 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install freertos-gdb
Then in GDB:
python import freertos_gdb
(gdb) freertos task
(gdb) freertos queue
(gdb) freertos semaphore
(gdb) freertos timer- Whether the plugin works correctly with all freeRTOS kernel versions and GDB versions beyond those tested.
- Performance impact when inspecting large numbers of tasks, queues, or semaphores in a single session.
- Compatibility with GDB frontends or IDEs that embed GDB (e.g., VS Code, CLion).
What it is and what it does
freertos-gdb is a Python module that extends GDB's command set to make freeRTOS kernel state human-readable. It registers a `freertos` command with subcommands (`task`, `queue`, `semaphore`, `timer`) that query the running kernel and format task stacks, queue depths, semaphore holders, and timer states into readable tables. You install it via pip, then load it into GDB with a Python import—either interactively or by adding the import to your `.gdbinit` file.
The module is designed for embedded developers debugging freeRTOS applications on microcontrollers. It has no runtime dependencies beyond Python itself and GDB's Python support. The package is in Beta status and has not been actively maintained since early 2025, but the core functionality is stable and the use case is narrow enough that dormancy is not unusual for specialized debugging tools.
Use it for
- Inspect all running tasks, their priorities, stack usage, and current state during a debug session.
- View queue contents and which tasks are blocked waiting to send or receive, helping diagnose deadlocks.
- Check semaphore and mutex holders and recursion counts to debug synchronization problems.
- Monitor active timers and their periods to verify timer-driven behavior in real-time kernel debugging.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you debug freeRTOS applications in GDB.
The package is low-friction to install, has no external dependencies, and solves a real problem—raw kernel memory inspection is tedious without it. Dormant maintenance is acceptable here because the plugin targets a stable, narrow API. Not relevant if you don't use freeRTOS or don't debug with GDB.
Install
freertos-gdb on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies. Dormant maintenance (last commit 2025-02-03), but the repository is not archived and the package targets a stable, narrow use case.
GDB must be built with Python 3.6+ support. Verify with: gdb -q -ex "python print('OK' if sys.version_info.major==3 and sys.version_info.minor>=6 else 'NOT SUPPORTED')" -ex "quit"
License in practice
Apache License 2.0 is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restriction, provided you include a copy of the license.
Quickstart
pip install freertos-gdb
Then in GDB:
python import freertos_gdb
(gdb) freertos task
(gdb) freertos queue
(gdb) freertos semaphore
(gdb) freertos timerVerify before relying
- Whether the plugin works correctly with all freeRTOS kernel versions and GDB versions beyond those tested.
- Performance impact when inspecting large numbers of tasks, queues, or semaphores in a single session.
- Compatibility with GDB frontends or IDEs that embed GDB (e.g., VS Code, CLion).
Package facts
| License | Apache License 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 557 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 883,056 / month, #4,817 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPython |
Evidence: freertos_gdb-1.0.4-py3-none-any.whl
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