FRC Environment Setup
Overview
Essential setup for FRC development includes installing WPILib, configuring the environment, and setting up the Driver Station.
Full guide: WPILib Zero to Robot.
Full guide: WPILib Zero to Robot.
Requirements
Essential components:
- WPILib: The core framework.
- VS Code: The IDE (with WPILib extension).
- Gradle: Build system (included).
- Driver Station: Robot control software.
- Game Tools: Utilities.
WPILib Installation
WPILib is the official FRC framework. The installer includes libraries, JDK, Gradle, VS Code, and utilities.
System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.14+, or Ubuntu 18.04+ (5GB+ space).
Instructions: WPILib Installation Guide.
System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.14+, or Ubuntu 18.04+ (5GB+ space).
Instructions: WPILib Installation Guide.
First Project
Templates: Use the Command Robot template (recommended).
Structure: Code in
Guide: Creating a Robot Program.
Structure: Code in
src/main/java/, vendor libs in vendordeps/.Guide: Creating a Robot Program.
VS Code
VS Code with the WPILib extension is the standard IDE. It handles code editing, building, deploying, and debugging.
Overview: VS Code Overview.
Overview: VS Code Overview.
Gradle
Gradle manages builds and dependencies. It downloads libraries and compiles code.
Commands:
Details: Gradle & Libraries.
Commands:
gradlew build (compile), gradlew deploy (upload).Details: Gradle & Libraries.
Driver Station
The Driver Station (DS) controls the robot during operation (Teleop, Auto, Test). It is part of the FRC Game Tools (Windows only).
Docs: Installing Game Tools.
Docs: Installing Game Tools.
Checklist
Setup steps:
- Install WPILib.
- Verify VS Code extension.
- Create a project (configure team number).
- Install FRC Game Tools.
- Verify build and deploy.
- Test Driver Station connection.