Skip to main content

Module 1 — Environment & Libraries

Objective: get everyone building, deploying, and simulating.

Prereqs: Team number and a laptop with Windows/macOS/Linux.

Steps

  • Install WPILib VS Code bundle and FRC Game Tools; set team number in VS Code and Driver Station.
  • Install vendor libraries (CTRE Phoenix, REVLib, NavX) via WPILib: Manage Vendor Libraries → Install (online or from vendordeps JSON).
  • Create a command-based template project.
  • Build and run in Sim GUI; if hardware is available, deploy to the roboRIO.
  • Verify Java 17 (bundled) and ensure GradleRIO resolves dependencies cleanly.
  • Set controller order in DS USB and label controllers to avoid swaps.

Instructions (numbered)

  1. Install WPILib VS Code bundle + FRC Game Tools; set team number (VS Code + DS).
  2. Install vendor libs (CTRE/REV/NavX) via Manage Vendor Libraries (online or vendordeps).
  3. Create command-based template; build and run in Sim GUI.
  4. If hardware available, deploy to roboRIO; confirm comms and DS control.
  5. Verify Java 17 and GradleRIO deps; fix any dependency errors.
  6. Set DS USB order; label controllers.

Example

  • Template builds in Sim GUI; DS shows team 2180; CTRE/REV vendordeps installed; Xbox controller mapped and tested in sim.

Best practices

  • Keep vendordeps in source control; pin versions per season.
  • Verify DS USB order before events; tape labels on controllers.
  • Test Sim GUI early to catch input/command wiring issues.
  • Document firmware requirements for controllers and keep versions consistent.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong team number in DS/gradle, causing deploy failures.
  • Vendordeps not committed → build breaks on other machines.
  • Controller order changing event-to-event.

Checklist

  • WPILib + Game Tools installed
  • Team number set (VS Code + DS)
  • Vendordeps installed and committed
  • Template builds/runs in Sim GUI
  • (Optional) Deploy to roboRIO tested
  • Controllers ordered/labeled

Recommended tools

  • WPILib installer, vendordeps JSONs, DS with USB ordering, Git for vendordeps tracking.

Sample log (template)

  • Date:
  • Install notes:
  • Vendordeps versions:
  • Sim/Deploy status:
  • Issues/fixes:

Photos/diagrams

  • [Placeholder: screenshot of Sim GUI running template and DS USB order]

Deliverables

  • Template robot that builds, runs in Sim GUI, and deploys.
  • Notes on vendor library versions installed and device firmware requirements.

Resources

  • Setup: docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/zero-to-robot/index.html
  • Vendor libs: docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/software/victor-spx-talon-srx/installing-vendor-libraries.html

Data to Log​

  • Dependency versions (vendordeps, Java version)
  • Controller bindings tested (axes/buttons)
  • Sim run status (success/fail) and any deploy logs/errors