🤖 Robo – Classroom Programming Environment

A simple Python-based learning environment for teaching programming functions-first through grid-based robot challenges.

Setup

Install from PyPI

pip install pio-robo

Development install

git clone <repo>
cd robo
pip install -e .

Run a world

From a student project folder:

python -m robo run world1.0

For guided setup that checks the package version, helps create or choose a project, and opens it in VS Code, run this from your Computer Science folder:

python -m robo start

Teachers can also share the standalone pio-robo.py bootstrap script; it provides the same launcher and installs the package if needed. See the student launcher guide for details.

Student solution files live in:

exercises/
  world1/
    world1_0.py

Check progress

python -m robo summary

summary also shows the local submission status. World results are recorded in the project's hidden .robo/ folder.

Before creating projects, each pupil registers the pseudonymous ID supplied by their teacher once:

python -m robo register PUPIL-1042

The ID is stored in the user's local Robo configuration and is reused for future projects:

python -m robo new loops-practice
python -m robo register --show

Use a school-controlled ID, not a pupil's name or email address. Robo does not ask pupils for names or email addresses. Registration refuses to replace an existing ID unless --force is used. The new command also accepts --student-id as an explicit override for testing or administration.

To submit recorded results, use:

python -m robo submit

The package includes the school's submission endpoint. Teachers can override it for testing by setting the ROBO_SUBMIT_ENDPOINT environment variable. Results remain local and are not lost when submission is unavailable.

Run tests

From the project root:

python -m pytest

Run tests when you:

• add new worlds
• change commands
• change runner/display behaviour

Contribute

1. Create or edit code.
2. Run the test suite.
3. Check that student worlds still run.
4. Open a pull request.

See the docs/ folder for pupil-facing command guides and teacher/developer notes.