How to Install PICSimLab on Ubuntu and Debian

PICSimLab v0.9.3 (released 20 September 2026) gives Linux users three installation routes: a .deb package, a Flatpak, or a portable AppImage. This guide covers all three. All files, sizes and SHA-256 checksums are listed on our PICSimLab for Linux page and the main Download page.

Route 1: The .deb package (Ubuntu)

The project publishes two separate .deb builds — one for Ubuntu 24.04 and one for Ubuntu 22.04. They are not interchangeable, so download the one that matches your release:

  • Ubuntu 24.04: PICSimLab_0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_24.04.5_LTS_amd64.deb (11,672,298 bytes, SHA-256 89510e3d917fa9cb19c8dde5b2facdbd0ee4a50422ba3ba487b201c6f2046fa7)
  • Ubuntu 22.04: PICSimLab_0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_22.04.5_LTS_amd64.deb (11,754,202 bytes, SHA-256 1862c3e78e99d427b854083d7ce1ab4a3e86023348150bdb695bc381f72921f1)

Verify the file with sha256sum <file>.deb, then install it in a way that resolves dependencies automatically, for example:

sudo apt install ./PICSimLab_0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_24.04.5_LTS_amd64.deb

After installation, PICSimLab appears in your applications menu. Debian users on a release close to one of the Ubuntu builds can try the matching .deb; if the package does not fit your system, use the Flatpak or AppImage route instead — the simulator itself is identical.

Route 2: Flatpak

Download picsimlab_Linux_0.9.3_260920.flatpak (20,059,656 bytes, SHA-256 0284578615cf130dfb9b0c8aca110bcd140c087db41d0df6e9e135cde9ddf899) from the Linux page and install the bundle:

flatpak install picsimlab_Linux_0.9.3_260920.flatpak

Then launch PICSimLab from your applications menu or via flatpak run. The Flatpak is the comfortable route on distributions that are neither Ubuntu 22.04 nor 24.04.

Route 3: AppImage (no installation)

Download PICSimLab-0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_22.04.5_LTS_x86_64.AppImage (67,115,512 bytes, SHA-256 fe403bb783fd46cb9d172d5895649b83dd2d2a9e0cd1b6542eb5ebc0ed17b467), make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x PICSimLab-0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_22.04.5_LTS_x86_64.AppImage
./PICSimLab-0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_22.04.5_LTS_x86_64.AppImage

Nothing is installed system-wide, which makes the AppImage the easiest route for a quick test or a machine where you cannot install packages.

Headless option: the NOGUI build

The release also includes PICSimLab_NOGUI-0.9.3_260920_Ubuntu_22.04.5_LTS_x86_64.AppImage — a Linux-only build with no graphical interface. Per the official release notes, the NOGUI version must be used on a terminal and with the remote control interface (rcontrol), a text-command TCP interface (default port 5000) that can start and stop simulations, load .hex files and inspect pins. It is meant for scripted and automated runs, not for interactive learning.

First launch and serial ports

Whichever route you took, the workflow inside PICSimLab is the same: choose a development board (21 are supported), load a compiled .hex file, and run. PICSimLab does not edit or compile source code — build your firmware in MPLAB X, the Arduino IDE, or VS Code with PlatformIO, as you would for real hardware.

For serial communication, the desktop version needs a virtual null-modem port pair. On Linux that is provided by tty0tty, which creates linked pairs such as /dev/tnt2 <=> /dev/tnt3; make sure your user account is allowed to read and write those device files. The full serial setup is covered in the virtual serial ports guide linked below. New to PICSimLab on another platform too? See also our Windows installation guide.

Related guides

Similar Posts