Getting started
Choose an FTC programming tool and find the official setup guides
Programming tools
recommends beginning with , including for students who have programmed before. It is a quick way to learn the Control System and test simple . When you are ready to write text, choose OnBot or Android Studio.
| Tool | Best starting point | Where code is edited |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks | New programmers and visual learners | Browser connected to the |
| OnBot Java | Teams learning text-based Java | Browser connected to the Robot Controller |
| Android Studio | Teams needing a full IDE, Git, or external libraries | Android Studio project on a computer |
These are FTC programming tools. Android Studio is an IDE; Java and Blocks are programming languages/tools. Kotlin is possible in Android Studio with the required project setup, but it is not one of the three standard programming tools in FIRST's current comparison guide.
Robot workflow
Each program is an OpMode that runs on the Robot Controller after a team selects it on the . Before writing code, configure the 's and in the Robot Controller app. Use the same device names in the program as in the hardware configuration.
Start with one motor or , then add gamepad input and sensor feedback. Test with the robot safely supported and keep motor power limited while bringing up new code.
Setup guides
- Blocks — create an OpMode using visual blocks in a browser.
- OnBot Java — edit and build Java OpModes in a browser.
- Android Studio — work in the official FTC Android Studio project.
Programming lessons
After setup, work through Your first OpMode, Java basics, Motors and servos, and Nonblocking code. Keep Debugging robot code open while testing. The limit-switch and IMU lessons introduce sensors before camera processing.