EV3-IDE

EV3-IDE is a lightweight development environment for the LEGO Mindstorms EV3.
It supports C++ and Python development and automatically installs required libraries on the EV3.

Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
• EV3 running ev3dev

Linux and macOS support may be added in future versions.

• EV3 host name must be 'ev3dev' (the default one).

Note: This program is designed around ev3dev. It only works if your EV3 is running this specific OS. Get it at https://www.ev3dev.org/downloads/.

Features

• Real-time Status Updater: View the EV3 screen and device status live.
• Directory Viewer: Browse, add, rename, or delete EV3 files from within the IDE (by right-clicking on a file or directory to access the context menu).
• Code Editor: Full-featured editor with syntax highlighting for Python and C++.
• Integrated Console: Run programs directly on the EV3 and see output and errors in real-time.
• Automatic EV3 File Management: Installs required system files (ev3dev.h, ev3dev.cpp, libev3dev.a).
• Python Module Support: Automatically installs Python modules like python-uinput.

EV3 Prerequisites

To allow the IDE to automatically copy files into system folders, the user must perform the following setup once:

1. Passwordless SSH Access

To let the IDE transfer files via scp directly to the EV3:

1.1 Connect the EV3 via a USB cable to your computer.

1.2 Open a PowerShell terminal on your PC (Windows start menu → search for powershell).

1.3 Generate an SSH key if you don’t already have one:

ssh-keygen

• If you are asked whether to overwrite an existing key, type n and press Enter.
• If you are asked for a file location, use the default one by pressing the Enter key.
• If you are asked for a passphrase, simply press Enter. Do it twice if you have to repeat the passphrase.

1.4 Copy the public key to the EV3:

type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub | ssh robot@ev3dev.local "mkdir -p ~/.ssh && cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys"

• If you are asked whether you want to allow a connection and have the options '(yes, no, [fingerprint])', type yes.
• If you are asked for a password for 'robot', enter your password for the EV3 (the default one is maker; if you haven't changed it, this will be it).

1.5 After this, the IDE can connect to the EV3 without asking for a password. Try to connect manually:

ssh robot@ev3dev.local

When connecting to your EV3 now, there should be no password request.

2. sudo Without Password for File Operations

To allow the IDE to copy system files such as /usr/local/include/ev3dev.h:

2.1 Log in to the EV3 as robot:

ssh robot@ev3dev.local

2.2 Run sudo visudo:

sudo visudo

2.3 Add the following line at the end of the file and save the change afterwards (via Ctrl+x, then type y and press Enter):

robot ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL

This lets the IDE move required system files without prompting for a password.

3. g++ compiler

To use the C++ compilation feature, g++ must be installed on your EV3 brick. If it is a fresh ev3dev installation, simply run the following commands on your EV3 via SSH terminal before using the app:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install g++

(Without this, the app can still view files and run Python scripts, but compiling C++ will result in an error).

Installation

Download

1. Go to the Releases page: https://github.com/Ev3-Dev/EV3-IDE/releases

2. Download the latest version

3. Extract the ZIP file

4. Run EV3-IDE.exe

5. Connect the EV3 via USB.

6. The IDE will automatically check if the ev3dev files are present.

7. (optional) Add a desktop shortcut to be able to start it more easily.

Build from Source (optional)

Requirements:

• Python 3.13
• PyInstaller

Open PowerShell (or CMD) and navigate to the project folder: cd C:\path\to\EV3-IDE

Run the following command to build the IDE:

pyinstaller --noconsole --onedir --clean --add-data "images;images" --add-data "ide_communication.py;." --add-data "ev3_dependencies;ev3_dependencies" --add-data "fonts;fonts" --icon=images/ev3.ico --distpath pyinstaller/dist --workpath pyinstaller/build --name EV3-IDE main.py

Usage

• C++ Projects:

  Use #include <ev3dev.h> and compile with the built-in button or manually in Terminal with the following command:

  ssh robot@ev3dev.local g++ <input_file> -o <output_file> -lev3dev

  Or if you don't have or don't want to use libev3dev.a:

  ssh robot@ev3dev.local g++ ev3dev.cpp <input_file> -o <output_file>

• Python Projects:

  Use the built-in ev3dev2 library, for example:

  from ev3dev2.motor import MediumMotor, LargeMotor, OUTPUT_A, OUTPUT_D

  Get more info at https://ev3dev-lang.readthedocs.io/projects/python-ev3dev/en/stable/spec.html.

Notes

• The IDE creates temporary folders on the EV3 to stage files before moving them to system directories.
• Automatic copying of system files works only after setting up passwordless SSH and sudo NOPASSWD.

Disclaimer

This project is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind.
Use at your own risk.

The IDE uses the JetBrains Mono font under SIL Open Font License 1.1 (find it in directory fonts), courtesy of JetBrains (https://www.jetbrains.com/lp/mono/).

The IDE uses Google Material Icons, licensed under Apache 2.0 License included in images/LICENSE-MATERIAL-ICONS.

The complete list of authors, source links, and specific license details for each icon can be found in the separate ATTRIBUTION.md file.

LEGO® and LEGO Mindstorms® are trademarks of the LEGO Group.
This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by the LEGO Group.

Contact / Feedback

If you encounter bugs or have suggestions, feel free to contact:

evdev32@gmail.com

License

See LICENSE file for details.