BriCode

Code environment for Brian - the brain brick

Features

• Wi-Fi Upload & Run: Upload Python files directly to Brian over Wi-Fi and execute them remotely.
• Multiple Upload Methods: Choose between Wi-Fi upload with run, Wi-Fi upload only, or USB cable copy.
• Device Discovery: Automatically scan your network to find available Brian devices.
• Console Streaming: View real-time program output and send interactive input from VS Code.
• Integrated Debugging: Use F5 to upload and run files with full launch.json configuration support.
• Copy Current File to Brian: Instantly copy the file you are working on to your selected Brian folder with one click.
• Status Bar Button: Quick access to copy the current file from the VS Code status bar.
• Install Brian typing (autocompletion): Download and install Brian typings into a chosen folder/workspace for IntelliSense support.

Usage

Wi-Fi Upload (Recommended)

1. Set up Brian's IP address:

   • Use BriCode: Discover Brian Devices to automatically find Brian on your network
   • You can also use the Connect to Brian (Wi-Fi) button

2. Upload and run your code:

   • Open a Python file (.py)
   • Press F5 or use the Run button
   • Choose your upload method:
     • Upload and Run (Wi-Fi) - Uploads and executes immediately with console streaming
     • Upload (Wi-Fi) - Uploads without running
     • Upload via Cable - Copies to Brian's USB storage

3. View output:

   • Console output streams automatically to the BriCode output channel
   • Send input to running programs with BriCode: Send Console Input

USB/Local Folder Copy

1. Open a file in VS Code.
2. Use the status bar button or BriCode Control Panel to copy it to Brian.
3. Select a Brian folder if prompted.
4. Change the folder anytime via the Control Panel or command.

Commands

Wi-Fi Commands

• BriCode: Discover Brian Devices (bricode.discoverBrianDevices) - Scan network for Brian devices
• BriCode: Set Brian IP Address (bricode.setBrianIp) - Manually configure Brian's IP address
• BriCode: Upload Current File (bricode.uploadFile) - Upload file to Brian via Wi-Fi
• BriCode: Upload and Run Current File (bricode.uploadAndRunFile) - Upload and execute file via Wi-Fi
• BriCode: Send Console Input (bricode.sendConsoleInput) - Send input to running program

Local/USB Commands

• BriCode: Copy Current File to Brian (bricode.copyCurrentFileToBrian) - Copy file to local Brian folder
• BriCode: Select Brian Folder (bricode.selectBrianFolder) - Choose target folder for copying

Development Tools

• BriCode: Install Brian typing (autocompletion) (bricode.downloadBrianTyping) - Install typing stubs for IntelliSense
• BriCode: Toggle Debug Mode (bricode.toggleDebugMode) - Enable verbose logging

Configuration

Debug Configurations

When you press F5 on a Python file without a launch.json, BriCode will offer to create one with these configurations:

• BriCode: Upload and Run (Wi-Fi) - Upload via Wi-Fi and run with console streaming
• BriCode: Upload (Wi-Fi) - Upload only, don't execute
• BriCode: Upload via Cable - Copy to Brian USB storage

Each configuration uses ${file} to run the currently active file, but you can customize this to specific files.

Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi Upload Issues

• Ensure Brian is connected to the same network as your computer
• Verify Brian's IP address with BriCode: Discover Brian Devices
• Try toggling debug mode (BriCode: Toggle Debug Mode) for verbose logging

Console Not Streaming

• Ensure "Upload and Run" was selected (not just "Upload")
• Check the BriCode output channel (View → Output → Select "BriCode")
• Verify the program is actually running on Brian