Navigating the STM32CubeIDE

When you launch STM32CubeIDE for the first time, you’ll see the Information Center. This center offers quick access to a number of valuable resources for STM32 firmware development.

To exit the Information Center, simply click the X on its tab. If you wish to revisit it later, simply navigate to Help | Information Center.

Figure 1.15: Information Center

The STM32CubeIDE is based on the Eclipse framework, and therefore, the layout and elements are similar to those of other Eclipse-based IDEs.

Let’s go through the process of creating a new project:

1. Either click Create a New STM32 project in the empty Project Explorer pane or select File | New | STM32 Project.

Figure 1.16: A workspace showing an empty Project Explorer pane

2. You will be presented with the Target Selection window to select the microcontroller or development board for your project.
3. Click the Board Selector tab.
4. Enter NUCLEO-F411 into the Commercial Part Number field.

Figure 1.17: The Target Selection window

5. From the displayed board list, select NUCLEO-F11RE, and then click Next.

Figure 1.18: The board list with NUCLEO-F411 selected

6. Give the project a name.
7. For Targeted Project Type, select Empty.

Figure 1.19: The Setup STM32 project window

8. Click Finish to create the project.

You will see the new project, containing all the necessary startup files and linker scripts, in the Project Explorer pane.

Figure 1.20: The Project Explorer pane showing a new project