Arduino IDE compiling for non-arduino AVR boards Using:


Arduino IDE 1.8.2
the board manager from https://mcudude.github.io/MiniCore/package_MCUdude_MiniCore_index.json
an ATmega168P MCU in TQFP


I was able to run my code successfully by modifying the file

[ardunoIDE]\hardware\arduino\avr\variants\standard\pins_arduino.h

building and then flashing the MCU with avrdude.

Is there any way to have Arduino IDE build system pick its pins_arduino.h file from somewhere else ?
Yes, MiniCore is a self-contained hardware package. After installing MiniCore select one of the MiniCore boards in the Arduino IDE's Tools > Board menu and the Arduino IDE will automatically use the pins_arduino.h file included with MiniCore. There is no need to modify any file in the Arduino IDE folder or any other folder.