Microchip's PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer utilises in-circuit debugging logic built into each chip with flash memory to provide a low-cost hardware debugger and programmer.

USB (full speed 12 Mbits/s interface to host PC)
Real-time execution
MPLAB IDE compatible (free copy included)
Built-in overvoltage/short circuit monitoring
Firmware upgrade possible via PC/web download
Fully enclosed
Supports low voltage up to 2.0 volts (range 2.0 to 6.0 volts)
Diagnostic LEDs (Power, Busy, Error)
Read/write from programme and data memory of the microcontroller
Deleting the programme memory location with verification
Freezing of peripheral devices at breakpoints

Some 8-, 14- and 18-pin devices use small header boards with a special MCU for debugging. This special MCU has additional pins for PICkit 3 communication and thus enables all pins of the component to be used for the application. The header board is not used or required for programming. However, the header must be used when debugging these devices.