Prerequisites
Software Requirements
WPILib & Game Tools
Install WPILib VS Code and National Instruments Game Tool (includes Driver Station and roboRIO imaging).
Phoenix Tuner X
Essential for configuring and tuning TalonFX and other CTRE hardware.
AdvantageScope
Viewer for robot logs and data, and required for debugging and tuning. A lite version comes preinstalled with WPILib, but we recommend downloading the latest full version from the GitHub releases page.
Git
Use Git for version control. Summarize changes clearly (e.g., 'Add drivetrain PID tuning logic').
WPILib 2027 Alpha stack (2027-Template)
This workshop targets the WPILib 2027 alpha — Commands v3 + OpModes, Java 25, and the SystemCorecontroller. Start from the team's 2027-Template rather than a stock project (the default 2027-dev branch has the 2027 stack; the mainbranch is still the older 2026 stack). Autonomous uses CTRE's built-in LinearPath / DriveToPose, so PathPlanner is not required.
Elastic Dashboard
Drivers use a dashboard to select autonomous routines, check for motor errors, and monitor the robot during a match.
Java Knowledge
Some basic Java knowledge helps, but it isn't required.
Ready to Start?
Make sure everything above is installed before you move on to hardware setup.