This project is a web-based code editor that targets the MicroPython version of the Python programming language.
Code written with this editor is expected to run on the BBC micro:bit device.
Try it out at https://python.microbit.org/
For more background about how this editor relates to the original Python Editor project, see this explanation.
The V2 editor project is still available at https://python.microbit.org/v/2 and its source code can be found in GitHub at https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/PythonEditor.
We've written a technical overview that's a good starting point for working on the Python Editor or for using ideas and components from the app in other projects. We'd love to hear from you if you're making use of this project. You can get in touch via support.
Getting up and running:
- Ensure you have a working Node.js environment. We recommend using the LTS version of Node and NPM version 8 or newer.
- Checkout this repository with Git. GitHub have some learning resources for Git that you may find useful.
- Install the dependencies by running
npm installon the command line in the checkout folder. - Choose from the NPM scripts documented below. Try
npm startif you're not sure.
Runs the app in the development mode.
Open http://localhost:3000 to view it in the browser.
The page will reload if you make edits.
This does not show TypeScript or lint errors.
Use the eslint plugin for your editor and consider also running npm run typecheck:watch to see full type checking errors.
Launches the test runner in interactive mode (unless the CI environment variable is defined).
See the section about running tests for more information.
If you have a connected micro:bit device, then setting the environment variable TEST_MODE_DEVICE=1 will enable additional tests that will connect to your micro:bit. The tests will overwrite programs and data on the micro:bit.
Launches the test runner in the interactive watch mode running the end to end tests.
These are excluded from the normal test run.
The tests expect the app to already be running on http://localhost:3000, for example via npm start.
We use Playwright.
The CI tests run these end-to-end tests against a production build.
Builds the app for production to the build folder.
It correctly bundles React in production mode and optimizes the build for the best performance.
Most users should use the supported Foundation deployment at https://python.microbit.org/
The editor is deployed by GitHub actions.
The main branch is deployed to https://python.microbit.org/v/beta on each push.
Other branches (e.g. for PRs) are deployed to https://review-python-editor-v3.microbit.org/{branch}. Special characters in the branch name are replaced by hyphens. Deployments will not run in forks.
This software is under the MIT open source license.
Binaries for MicroPython are included for micro:bit V1 (license) and micro:bit V2 (license). Both are MIT licensed.
Python diagnostics and autocomplete use a fork of Microsoft's Pyright type checker which has been modified by us to run as a Web Worker. Pyright is © Microsoft Corporation and used under an MIT license.
We use dependencies via the NPM registry as specified by the package.json file under common Open Source licenses.
Full details of each package can be found by running license-checker:
$ npx license-checker --direct --summary --productionOmit the flags as desired to obtain more detail.
Trust, partnership, simplicity and passion are our core values we live and breathe in our daily work life and within our projects. Our open-source projects are no exception. We have an active community which spans the globe and we welcome and encourage participation and contributions to our projects by everyone. We work to foster a positive, open, inclusive and supportive environment and trust that our community respects the micro:bit code of conduct. Please see our code of conduct which outlines our expectations for all those that participate in our community and details on how to report any concerns and what would happen should breaches occur.