CuteCom Usage Documentation
Introduction
CuteCom is a simple graphical interface for communicating over a serial port (UART). It is useful for testing firmware, interacting with electronic boards, or debugging serial communication.
Installation
On Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install cutecom
On Fedora
sudo dnf install cutecom
On Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S cutecom
Launching the Application
cutecom
Or via the menu: Applications > Development > CuteCom.
Serial Port Configuration
Once CuteCom is open:
- Select the serial port under Device (e.g.,
/dev/ttyUSB0,/dev/ttyACM0). - Choose the speed (baudrate), such as 9600, 115200, etc.
- Set parameters : Data bits: usually 8 / Parity: None / Stop bits: 1 / Flow control: None
- Click Open Device.
Sending Commands
Two methods are available:
- Type a command in the text field at the bottom and click Send.
- Enable Hex output / Hex input to send hexadecimal values.
Receiving Data
Data received from the device appears in the main window.
Useful options:
- Timestamp: adds a timestamp to each line.
- Log to file: records all input/output to a log file.
Troubleshooting
Permission denied when opening the port
Add your user to the dialout group:
sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER
Log out and back in.
No serial port detected
Check:
- USB cable
- USB‑serial converter (CH340, CP2102, FTDI)
- Access rights (
ls -l /dev/ttyUSB*)
Best Practices
- Always verify the exact serial configuration of the device.
- Close CuteCom before flashing firmware or using another serial tool.
- Enable logging for critical testing sessions.
Conclusion
CuteCom is a fast, simple, and effective tool for working with UART interfaces without using a terminal.