We use several tools when programming a robot, but each has a different job. Installing everything without knowing why can get confusing, so let’s start with the tools you’ll actually need for this course.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Python | Runs the instructions you write in the Python language |
| VS Code | Lets you create, read, and edit your program’s files |
| Git | Records checkpoints of those files so you can review or recover changes |
| GitHub | Hosts a copy online and lets you share changes with other people |
RobotPy is a collection of Python libraries for FRC. A library is code someone else has already written for you to use. We’ll install the course’s libraries together after cloning the repository; you don’t need to choose individual versions.
Install Python¶
This course baseline uses Python 3.14.7 and RobotPy 2026.2.2. Install the matching version from the Python 3.14.7 release page. Use a regular desktop installation, not Python compiled for a robot controller. If these tools are already installed, start with the version checks below; you don’t need another copy. You’ll need a computer where you can install these tools; school-managed computers may restrict installation.
On the release page, scroll to Files and choose Windows installer (64-bit) for a usual Intel/AMD Windows laptop. The embeddable package is not the installer. RobotPy’s Windows baseline supports 64-bit Intel/AMD Windows 10 or 11; ARM Windows laptops need a different supported computer for these exercises.
Open the downloaded installer and keep its Python launcher option enabled. Finish installation before continuing.
Open Command Prompt from Start. Enter
py -3.14 --versionand press Enter. You should seePython 3.14.7.
If py is not found, reopen Command Prompt. If it still fails, reopen the Python
installer, choose Modify, and check that the launcher is selected. Finish the
installation and try a new Command Prompt. We’ll use this terminal type in VS Code too.
RobotPy also needs Microsoft’s Visual C++ Redistributable on Windows. Open Microsoft’s runtime downloads and choose X64 under the latest supported v14 package. Run that installer; if it reports an existing compatible installation, keep it. This installs runtime libraries used by RobotPy, not the Visual Studio editor. The requirement comes from RobotPy’s installation guide.
On the release page, choose macOS installer and open the downloaded
.pkg.Complete the installer, then open Terminal from Applications → Utilities.
Run
python3.14 --version. You should seePython 3.14.7.
The RobotPy baseline needs macOS 13.3 or newer even if Python itself supports an older macOS. Leave the operating system’s Python in place.
These instructions target 64-bit Ubuntu 22.04/24.04. First run
python3.14 --version in Terminal. If it reports Python 3.14.7, you’re ready.
If that version is missing, use uv, a tool that can install a separate Python
without replacing Ubuntu’s own copy. Follow the Linux steps on
uv’s installation page,
then close and reopen Terminal. Check that uv --version reports a version and run:
uv python install 3.14.7This downloads the course’s Python version. Reopen Terminal and check
python3.14 --version again. If the command is not found, follow the PATH
instructions printed by uv’s installer. The
Python installation guide
explains how uv makes the versioned command available. After this step, use the
same python3.14 commands as macOS throughout setup.
First Instruction¶
Before installing the rest, let’s use Python for something you can change yourself. In the terminal you just used to check its version, run the command for your system:
py -3.14 -c "print('Hello, Spartronics!')"python3.14 -c "print('Hello, Spartronics!')"You should see Hello, Spartronics!. Change the words inside the single quotes to
a greeting of your own and run it again. Keep the quotes and parentheses in place.
print displays the text you give it; -c lets us run that tiny program directly
from the command line. We’ll learn to save programs in files next.
That’s your first edit-and-run cycle. The remaining setup gives you a comfortable place to write longer programs and a way to keep your work.
Install VS Code and Git¶
Download VS Code for your operating system. Open the download and finish installation; on macOS, move the app into Applications. Launch VS Code and confirm that its window opens.
Then follow Git’s installation page for your
operating system. On Windows, the standard installer options are sufficient.
Reopen your terminal after installation and run git --version; a version
number confirms Git is available. You do not need to memorize it. Close and
reopen VS Code too if it was open before you installed Git.
Open VS Code’s Extensions view using the blocks icon on the left. Search for Python published by Microsoft and install it. Also install Microsoft’s Jupyter extension for the notebook lesson. Extensions add capabilities to the editor; they are different from the Python libraries your program imports.
Create a GitHub account¶
Visit GitHub and create an account if you don’t have one. Use an account you can keep using for team projects. Complete account setup yourself and keep your password private. GitHub will guide you through email verification. Our next pages explain what you’re going to store there.
What can wait?¶
Driver Station controls a physical FRC robot; dashboards such as Elastic and analysis tools such as AdvantageScope help us interact with and inspect robot data. They are useful team tools, but our local lessons use WPILib’s simulation window. You do not need to install every competition tool before your first Python program. Website tools such as Node and MyST are for site contributors, not course students.
Before continuing, confirm Python and Git both report versions and VS Code opens.