Raspberry Pi has launched a $600 Programming Jig designed to speed up batch provisioning of its Compute Module 5 (CM5) boards for industrial and embedded deployments. The device combines the provisioning host and module interface into a single unit, removing the need for a separate IO board or an additional host computer that was previously required to flash and configure each module.

The single-head jig weighs just under 1.8kg and processes one CM5 at a time: operators clamp the module in place, provisioning begins automatically, and a typical installation takes around 90 seconds before a green LED signals it can be swapped for the next one. Setup involves flashing the jig's own operating system via Raspberry Pi Imager, with remote access recommended through Raspberry Pi Connect so operators can upload the disk images destined for their CM5 boards; the jig builds on the firm's existing rpi-sb-provisioner tool, which automates OS installation and security configuration.