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Recovery: when the board is stuck and you have to nuke the flash

Option A – clear startup files (no reflash)
If the board runs but REPL/Thonny is blocked by main.py or boot.py, remove them so the next boot drops straight to REPL. From your PC (with the Pico connected via USB):

# Remove startup files (paths are on the device; try without colons if one form fails)
mpremote fs rm boot.py
mpremote fs rm main.py
mpremote reset

If that fails, try one of these:

mpremote rm boot.py
mpremote rm main.py

Or in Thonny: Stop the running program (Ctrl+C or Stop button), then View → Files, right‑click the device, delete boot.py and main.py on the device, then Tools → Reset.

If the board doesn’t respond to serial at all, use Option B.

Option B – full flash erase (Pico 2)

1. Unplug the Pico 2.
2. Hold BOOTSEL, plug USB in, then release BOOTSEL.
3. It should mount as a drive. Delete any existing UF2 if you want a clean state.
4. Copy the MicroPython UF2 for Pico 2 (RP2350) onto the drive. The board will reboot with a fresh install and empty filesystem.