Downloading and Running a VEX AIM Project in VS Code – VEX Library

To run a VEX AIM project created in VS Code on a VEX AIM Coding Robot, the project must first be built and downloaded. Follow the steps in this article to download a project to your robot and then run the project.

Downloading a VEX AIM Project in VS Code

robot to the left of a laptop with a cable connecting the two electronics.

Connect the robot to the computer using a USB-C cable and power on the robot.

The same VS Code Toolbar image, now highlighting the Slot 1 on the left hand side, to the right of the AIM Robot (AIM 1).

Select the slot selector icon on the toolbar to choose the slot to download the project on the robot.

A screenshot of the Quick Pick list for selecting slot, showing a dropdown of all Slot options 1 through 8.

Choose a slot (1–8) from the quick pick list. Downloading a project to a slot with an existing project in it will overwrite the previous project.

The same VS Code Toolbar image as before, now highlighting the download icon in the center, to the right of Slot 1.

Select the download icon to build and download the project to the robot.

Note: The build icon appears when no VEX device is connected.

Running and Stopping a VEX AIM Project in VS Code

When the VEX project is downloaded and the robot is still connected, users can run or stop the project from VS Code. This is intended for projects where the robot is stationary. If the robot is meant to move, unplug it before running your project. Read this article to learn more about using downloaded projects on the robot.

The same VS Code Toolbar image as before, now highlighting the play icon in the center, to the right of the Download icon.

Select the play icon to run the project.

The same VS Code Toolbar image as before, now highlighting the stop icon in the center, to the right of the play icon.

Select the stop icon to stop the project.

Selecting from Multiple Robots or Python Files (Optional)

Multiple robots, as well as multiple Python files, can be open at the same time in VS Code. You must select the appropriate robot and/or file before downloading and running a project. Follow the steps below to make those selections.

Select the Robot

Select the VEX device if multiple robots are connected.

The same VS Code Toolbar image, now highlighting the AIM Robot (AIM 1) to the far left.

Select the device picker icon on the Toolbar.
Note: This icon appears only when a robot is connected.

The same screenshot of the Quick pick list now showing an aim-vscode python project option in the dropdown.

A Quick Pick List shows all connected robots. Choose the one to connect.

Select the Python file

Select the Python file as the source code for the VEX Extension to build when multiple Python files exist.
Note: The VEX Extension only supports single Python file downloads currently.

The same VS Code Toolbar image as the one before, with the main.py on the far right highlighted.

Select the Python file selector icon on the Toolbar.
Note: This icon appears only when a VEX Python project is selected.

The same screenshot of the Quick Pick list, now showing main.py project as an option in the dropdown.

A Quick Pick List will show all Python files in the workspace. Choose the file to build.