neo-code 0.5.0

Educational Python IDE for STEM & Robotics students

NEO Code

An educational Python IDE for STEM & Robotics students (ages 6–12)

NEO Code is a lightweight, kid-friendly Python IDE designed to run on low-resource devices such as Armbian single-board computers (2 GB RAM). It provides a clean coding environment with structured lessons and an interactive REPL — no internet required.

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Features

• Python editor — syntax highlighting, line numbers, debounced code-change events
• Run & Stop — sandboxed QProcess execution with 30-second timeout (F5 / F6)
• REPL mode — live interactive Python console backed by a persistent python3 -i process (F9)
• Output panel — collapsible console showing stdout and stderr in colour
• Lesson sidebar — VS Code-style activity bar with curriculum browser
• Green theme — clean white + #32A852 green palette, easy on young eyes

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Requirements

• Python 3.11+
• Linux (tested on x86 and ARM/Armbian)
• A running display server (X11 or Wayland)
• Qt 5.15 libraries (installed via apt or bundled inside the pip wheel)

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Installation

Quick install (recommended)

The installer script automatically detects your platform (ARM or x86) and handles everything — including PyQt5, virtualenv setup, and desktop integration:

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MEO-3/neo-code/main/scripts/installer_script.sh | bash

Or install on Neo One:

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MEO-3/neo-code/main/scripts/install_on_neo.sh | bash

Or clone the repo first and run locally:

git clone https://github.com/MEO-3/neo-code.git
cd neo-code
bash scripts/installer_script.sh

This will:

• Install PyQt5 via apt on ARM (no compiling from source)
• Install PyQt5 via pip on x86 (pre-built wheel)
• Create a virtualenv at ~/.local/share/neo-code/venv
• Add a neo-code command to ~/.local/bin
• Create a .desktop launcher entry

Installer options:

Flag	Effect
--no-desktop	Skip .desktop file and icon installation
--no-venv	Install into system Python instead of a virtualenv
--uninstall	Remove NEO Code and all associated files

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Manual install

If you prefer to install manually:

ARM (Armbian / Raspberry Pi OS)

# 1. Install PyQt5 from apt (avoids building from source)
sudo apt install -y python3-pyqt5 python3-pyqt5.qtwidgets \
    python3-pyqt5.qtgui python3-pyqt5.qtcore python3-venv

# 2. Create venv with system-site-packages (to access apt PyQt5)
python3 -m venv --system-site-packages ~/.local/share/neo-code/venv
source ~/.local/share/neo-code/venv/bin/activate

# 3. Install neo-code without pulling PyQt5 from pip
pip install jedi pyflakes
pip install --no-deps neo-code

neo-code

x86 / Desktop Linux

python3 -m venv ~/.local/share/neo-code/venv
source ~/.local/share/neo-code/venv/bin/activate
pip install neo-code
neo-code

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Running from source

git clone https://github.com/MEO-3/neo-code.git
cd neo-code

# ARM — reuse system PyQt5
python3 -m venv --system-site-packages .venv

# x86 — fully isolated
# python3 -m venv .venv

source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e .
python -m neo_code

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Keyboard shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Run code	F5
Stop execution	F6
Toggle REPL mode	F9
New file	Ctrl+N
Open file	Ctrl+O
Save file	Ctrl+S

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Project status

Phase	Status	Description
1 — IDE Foundation	Done	Editor, terminal, toolbar, sidebar, theme, event bus, QProcess runner
2 — REPL mode	Done	Interactive Python console with persistent process, escape-code filtering
3 — Curriculum	Planned	Lesson browser, project templates, student progress

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License

MIT