UI differences for sysbuild

Sysbuild configurations are more structured than single build configurations and usually include several domains (contexts).

For this reason, the extension also treats sysbuild-based build configurations differently, which is most visible in the following UI areas:

• Applications View:

  • A build configuration created using sysbuild has a wrench icon and several build contexts.
  • A sysbuild-based build configuration does not use any board files, so the build configuration details tooltip does not list board files.
  • A build configuration created using sysbuild lets you configure sysbuild domains separately, including for debugging. Use the build-specific Edit Sysbuild Domains action.
  • If you link a device to a sysbuild-based build configuration, the link you set for the top build configuration is used for all domains.

• Details View:

  • The View displays the sysbuild file structure, with the source files section including the source files of all firmware images. This is because sysbuild configurations do not have any source files of their own.
  • With the top sysbuild configuration entry set as the active context, the listed config and output files are sysbuild-specific.
  • With the top sysbuild configuration entry set as the active context, Core overview does not display the initialization levels.

• Devicetree Visual Editor: There are no devicetree files for the top sysbuild configuration, so all devicetree actions and Views are hidden when you select the top sysbuild entry. Devicetree files might be available for single images that are part of the sysbuild configuration.

• Actions View:

  • When you select the top sysbuild item in the Applications View, the extension switches actions in the Actions View to sysbuild-related ones. For example, you still see the Flash action, but using it triggers flashing of all sysbuild domains.
  • Some actions are only available for specific domains that belong to the given sysbuild configuration. In such cases, the extension asks you to pick one or more sysbuild domains for the selected action, for example debugging or memory reports.