diff --git a/tools/serial_monitor.py b/tools/serial_monitor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a86149
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/serial_monitor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/usr/bin/python
+# This is a basic, cross-platfrom serial emulator.
+# It will automatically try to reconnect to a serial port that disconnects.
+# Ideal for development with Solo.
+#
+# Requires pySerial
+#
+import sys,time
+import serial
+
+if len(sys.argv) != 2:
+    print(
+"""
+usage: %s <serial-port>
+      * <serial-port> will look like COM10 or /dev/ttyACM0 or something.
+      * baud is 115200.
+""" % sys.argv[0])
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+port = sys.argv[1]
+
+ser = serial.Serial(port,115200,timeout=.05)
+
+def reconnect():
+    while(1):
+        time.sleep(0.02)
+        try:
+            ser = serial.Serial(port,115200,timeout=.05)
+            return ser
+        except serial.SerialException:
+            pass
+while 1:
+    try:
+        d = ser.read(1)
+    except serial.SerialException:
+        print('reconnecting...')
+        ser = reconnect()
+        print('done')
+    sys.stdout.buffer.write(d)
+    sys.stdout.flush()