What’s New in VEXcode 5

VEXcode 5 is the next generation of the VEXcode programming environment, available as a web app at beta-code.vex.com. This major update focuses on accessibility and a streamlined experience across all VEX platforms. VEXcode 5 currently supports the VEX 123, GO, AIM, IQ (1st gen), IQ (2nd gen), EXP, CTE, V5, and AIR platforms.

Read below to learn about the new features and improvements available in VEXcode 5.

Improvements and Features in VEXcode 5

Full Keyboard Accessibility

VEXcode 5 is now fully keyboard accessible, allowing you to navigate and operate every part of the interface without a mouse.

Keyboard Navigation in the Block Editor

The block editor now supports keyboard navigation. To see the available keyboard shortcuts, press the / key while in the block editor.

New Landing Page

VEXcode 5 features a redesigned landing page that serves as the central hub for the application. From here, you can:

• Browse and select any supported VEX platform (123, GO, AIM, IQ (1st gen), IQ (2nd gen), EXP, CTE, V5, AIR).
• View the latest VEXcode news through the built-in News Feed.
• Go to a platform-specific page to create a new project, open an existing project, or explore example projects.

News Feed

A built-in News Feed is available directly on the landing page. It displays the latest VEXcode news, announcements, and updates, keeping educators and students informed without leaving the app.

Redesigned Project Creation

The project creation flow has been redesigned. From the landing page, you can now select your preferred project type (Blocks or Python), enter a project name, and save your project.

Example Project Search

Browsing examples now includes a search bar, making it easier to find a specific example project.

Movable and Resizable Tabs

The VEXcode workspace is now customizable, with tabs that can be moved, resized, or closed.

• To reopen a closed tab, open the View Menu and select Add Tab, then choose the tab you want to restore.
• To reset your workspace, open the View Menu and select Default Layout.

Bluetooth Connectivity Added for EXP and V5

EXP and V5 Brains can now connect wirelessly via Bluetooth directly from the browser, just like IQ.

AI Vision Color Picker

The AI Vision configuration utility now includes a color picker tool. This allows you to select and configure colors during AI Vision Sensor setup using keyboard navigation.

Built-in Help Connected to the VEX API

All help references for Blocks and Python commands now link directly to the official VEX API Reference site. This gives you comprehensive information about each command without leaving VEXcode.

Updated Brain Connection Dialog

The dialog that appears when connecting a Brain has been redesigned with a modern, consistent look across all platforms.

Configurable GO Builds

In VEXcode 5, GO build configurations and example project templates have been consolidated. In the device panel, selecting a GO build configuration automatically populates the panel with the associated devices. Each device can still be configured the same way as on a custom robot.

Updated GO Drive Tab

The GO Drive Tab has been redesigned to better support accessibility. You can now drive your GO robot from the Drive Tab using the keyboard.

Upcoming Features for VEXcode 5

VEXcode 5 is still in active development. Some features from the current production VEXcode apps are not yet available, but they are planned for future releases, such as:

• Support for VEXcode VR
• Loading existing VEXcode projects
  • Projects created in the current production VEXcode apps cannot be opened in VEXcode 5 yet.
• Sharing projects
• C++ coding support
• Read Blocks Aloud in the block editor context menu

VEXcode 5 Changelog

5.0.10

• General
  • Improved firmware and SDK version handling.
  • Updated the styling of disabled blocks in the classic theme.
  • Updated the styling of disabled switch blocks.
  • Made Random block code generation consistent across all platforms.
  • Fixed an issue where news article titles did not wrap correctly.
  • Fixed an issue where the Python toolbox did not scroll to the category header on focus.
  • Fixed an issue where the robot connection popover icons were not centered.
  • Fixed an issue where disabled blocks could not be converted to switch blocks.
  • Fixed an issue where the classic theme remained applied on platforms that do not support it.
  • Fixed an issue where password autosuggestion appeared in the monitor console input.
• GO
  • Added One Stick Controller device support.
• IQ (1st gen)
  • Added a Knowledge Base link for updating firmware.
  • Removed the ability to assign variable blocks to strings.
  • Added a limit of 3 When Started blocks per project.
  • Fixed an issue where incorrect category icons were displayed in the toolbox.
  • Fixed an issue where the Repeat Until block had incorrect code generation.
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Added the 2026-2027 Flop Hero Bot preset build.
  • Changed team name to team number in the top menu and brain connection dialog.
  • Automatic SDK updates no longer start when a brain connects through a controller, so users are not blocked by an unexpected update.
• EXP
  • Changed team name to team number in the top menu and brain connection dialog.
  • Automatic SDK updates no longer start when a brain connects through a controller, so users are not blocked by an unexpected update.
  • Fixed an issue where 3-Wire devices did not show unavailable ports correctly.
• V5
  • Added the 2026-2027 Flex and Flex (Sensors) Hero Bot preset builds.
  • Changed team name to team number in the top menu and brain connection dialog.
  • Automatic SDK updates no longer start when a brain connects through a controller, so users are not blocked by an unexpected update.
  • Fixed an issue where 3-Wire devices did not show unavailable ports correctly.
  • Fixed an issue where the MC55 did not populate the correct device name when dragged in from the Python toolbox.
  • Fixed the example project icons.
• AIR
  • Added AIR Simulator support.

5.0.9

• General
  • Added My Blocks example projects.
  • Updated the recent project file icons.
  • Updated the blocks toolbox icons for the expanded logic categories.
  • Changed recent projects to be platform-specific.
  • Improved the accessibility of the robot connection states so it is conveyed with a text label and announced to screen readers, instead of by icon color alone.
  • Fixed an issue where the SDK update dialog stayed open after a successful auto update.
• 123
  • Added 123 Blocks and Python example projects.
• IQ (1st gen)
  • Added Blocks example projects.
  • Added dynamic drivetrain header code generation.
  • Fixed an issue where a parenthesis added to a project name caused the save to silently fail.
  • Fixed an issue where controller inputs were not being received.
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Added support for downloading projects to a brain by connecting via a controller.
• EXP
  • Added support for downloading projects to a brain by connecting via a controller.
• V5
  • Added the Accessible Controller device to robot configuration.
  • Added support for downloading projects to a brain by connecting via a controller.
• AIR
  • Fixed an issue where the module category displayed the incorrect module icon.

5.0.8

• General
  • Added AI Vision example projects.
  • Added block sound muting.
  • Updated the rename logic for unsaved projects to prompt a save before renaming.
  • Updated the zoom in, out, and reset icons in the block workspace.
  • Updated the Python and block toolbox category icons to be more accessible.
  • Improved keyboard navigation in the blocks toolbox.
  • Fixed an issue where menu items collapsed incorrectly when custom styles were applied (WCAG 1.4.12).
• 123
  • Initial support, now with Python.
• GO
  • Fixed an issue where the Drive tab prevented movement keys from being used while naming a project.
• AIM
  • Added axis markers to the AI Vision Utility Viewer.
  • Added support for local files in example projects and sound and image uploads on desktop builds.
  • Fixed the Creating Timeouts AIM Blocks example project.
• IQ (1st gen)
  • Added support to check for out of date firmware.
  • Fixed issues with incorrect code generation.
  • Fixed an issue where device dropdown selections did not persist across sessions.
  • Fixed an issue where projects with a configured device failed to download or run due to incorrect device constructors.
  • Improved print formatting for variable blocks and number inputs.
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Added axis markers to the AI Vision Utility Viewer.
  • Added support for setting the team number.
  • Fixed an issue with incorrect code generation.
  • Added option to disable automatic firmware updating.
• EXP
  • Added axis markers to the AI Vision Utility Viewer.
  • Added support for setting the team number.
• V5
  • Added axis markers to the AI Vision Utility Viewer.
  • Added support for setting the team number.
  • Added Field Controller handling and firmware updating.
  • Fixed bugs with robot configuration.
  • Fixed an issue where configured drivetrains with a GPS sensor did not disable blocks correctly when deleted.
  • Added option to disable automatic firmware updating.
• CTE
  • Added example projects.
  • Fixed console behavior to match AIM.
• AIR
  • Fixed console behavior to match AIM.

5.0.7

• General
  • Added support for firmware updating.
  • Fixed logic comparison block input type.
  • Removed support for connecting blocks to the When Timer block's input.
  • Fixed top menu layout breaking at certain screen widths.
  • Fixed comment blocks with long comments being truncated with an ellipsis.
• GO
  • Added default code for Python projects.
  • Fixed an issue where Switch block conversion produced unexpected highlight code.
• AIM
  • Added default code for Python projects.
• IQ (1st gen)
  • Initial Support
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Added support for AI Vision sensor firmware updating and model switching.
• EXP
  • Added support for AI Vision sensor firmware updating and model switching.
• CTE
  • Improved teach pendant performance for pen offset.
  • Added missing timer commands to the Python toolbox.
  • Fixed an issue where the signal tower lights would not clear correctly when the arm stops.
  • Fixed block code generation.
• V5
  • Added support for AI Vision sensor firmware updating and model switching.
• AIR
  • Initial Support

5.0.6

• General
  • Updated the styling of dialogs for a more consistent look.
  • Fixed an issue where a block would be deleted when placed overlapping the toolbox.
  • Fixed an issue where string output blocks could not be converted to switch blocks.
  • Fixed an issue with when started event block code generation.
• GO
  • Fixed preset build configurations.
  • Fixed an issue where example projects would not open correctly.
• AIM
  • Fixed several bugs in example projects.
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Added preset build support.
• EXP
  • Added preset build support.
  • Fixed several bugs in example projects.
• CTE
  • Initial Support
• V5
  • Added preset build support.
  • Added example project support.

5.0.2

• General
  • Added the ability to click on the platform logo to go back to the landing page
  • Accessibility updates for better screen reader support for blocks and Python workspaces
  • Improved News Feed UI
  • Reworked the Print Console to use a consistent format for printing errors, using print precision, and setting the font color
  • Removed underline that appears under autocomplete suggestion
  • Fixed autocomplete and syntax colorization issues
  • Fixed issue with drivetrain calibration code in header
  • Fixed issue with workspace zoom buttons disappearing when toolbox is collapsed
• GO
  • Added example projects
  • Added Thread support
  • Disabled step button when multiple when started blocks are in the workspace
  • Fixed an issue with resetting crashed flag after detecting a crash
  • Fixed category order of Python toolbox
  • Fixed an issue with blocks remaining highlighted in a loop
• AIM
  • Added example projects
• IQ (2nd gen)
  • Initial support
• EXP
  • Added controller configuration support
  • Added Remote Screen support
  • Added screen print_at and set_origin command
  • Fixed an issue with configuring Encoder and Rangefinder devices
• V5
  • Added controller configuration support
  • Added screen print_at and set_origin command
  • Added AI Vision configuration support
  • Fixed an issue with configuring Encoder and Rangefinder devices
  • Fixed issue with GPS category blocks not appearing in toolbox
  • Fixed an issue where GPS configured through the Drivetrain had the incorrect device name

5.0.1

• General
  • Fixed blocks in the workspace not disabled after deleting a device
• EXP
  • Fixed Python autocomplete suggestions for Signal Tower and Inertial device
  • Fixed Controller device Python code generation

5.0

• General
  • Initial release
• GO
  • Initial support
• AIM
  • Initial support
• EXP
  • Initial support
• V5
  • Initial support