VEXcode V5 Python Tutorial — Install, Examples & Debugging

VEXcode V5 Python Tutorial — Full step-by-step guide

Practical guide for students, coaches, and hobbyists • move from Blocks → Python

Why choose VEXcode V5 Python?

Python is widely taught, highly readable, and excellent for rapid iteration — traits that matter when teaching robotics or developing competition routines. VEXcode V5’s Python support lets teams transition from Block-based programming to text-based code without a steep learning curve. This tutorial focuses on practical steps you can follow in a single session: setup, test, and a few example projects you can run on your robot today.

Unlike API reference pages or short videos, this guide ties together configuration, wiring, project structure, and small but complete code examples, so you always know what to try next.

Prerequisites — hardware & software

Before you begin, gather the following. Missing or mismatched versions are the most common cause of confusion.

Hardware: VEX V5 Brain, V5 motors, a controller, and at least one sensor (gyro/IMU or encoder). A simple two-motor drivetrain chassis is enough for the examples.
Software: Download and install the latest stable VEXcode V5 for your OS from the official VEX site. Optional: Visual Studio Code and the VEX VS Code extension for an improved editor experience.
Tools: USB-C cable, PC with admin rights, and a GitHub account if you plan to publish example code or manage versions.

Tip: Verify your Brain firmware is up-to-date using the VEX updater tool before deploying code. Firmware mismatches can produce obscure errors.

Step-by-step setup

Install and verify

Download the latest VEXcode V5 installer for your platform from the official VEX site and run the installer.
Connect the V5 Brain via USB-C and open VEXcode V5. Confirm the Brain appears in the status area (usually top-right).

Create a new Python project

In VEXcode V5, go to File → New → New Text Project and select Python.
Save the project to a clear folder name (for example vex_python_tutorial).
Open the generated main.py — this is your entrypoint for code you run on the Brain.

Import examples and map ports

Use File → Open Examples and inspect templates like Clawbot or Drivetrain. Templates show motor port assignments and starter code. Match the motor ports in code to how your robot is wired. Rename variables for clarity (e.g., left_motor, right_motor).

Save and test one motor at a time — spin a motor for one rotation to confirm wiring and polarity before running a full drive routine.

A deliberate, stepwise setup avoids chasing multiple issues at once. Confirm basics (firmware, Brain connection, single motor) before building autonomous routines.

Three example projects (Beginner → Competition)

These examples are intentionally short and testable. Copy them into main.py in your project and run on the Brain. Adjust ports to match your wiring.

Example 1 — Hello Drive (Beginner)

Purpose: verify motors and polarity. A simple forward movement and stop.

# Hello Drive - main.py
from vex import Brain, Motor, Ports, wait

brain = Brain()
left_motor = Motor(Ports.PORT1, True)
right_motor = Motor(Ports.PORT2, False)

left_motor.spin_for('rev', 1)
right_motor.spin_for('rev', 1)
brain.print("Hello Drive: moved forward")

Run one motor at a time if the robot doesn’t react as expected. If a motor spins the wrong direction, flip the polarity (True/False) for that motor.

Example 2 — Sensor diagnostics (Gyro/IMU)

Purpose: calibrate the gyro and print headings. Reliable orientation sensing is critical for autonomous accuracy.

from vex import Brain, Gyro, Ports, wait

brain = Brain()
gyro = Gyro(Ports.PORT3)

gyro.calibrate()
wait(1, 'second')
for i in range(5):
    brain.print(f"Heading: {gyro.heading():.2f}")
    wait(1, 'second')

Keep the robot still during calibration. If readings drift, check mounting (sensor should be fixed to the robot frame) and wiring.

Example 3 — Autonomous routine + competition template (Intermediate)

Purpose: structure code for competitions with initialization, autonomous, and driver control blocks.

# Pseudocode structure for competition projects

def pre_auton():
    # initialize sensors and calibrate here
    gyro.calibrate()

def autonomous():
    # example autonomous sequence
    left_motor.spin_for('rev', 1)
    right_motor.spin_for('rev', 1)

def user_control():
    # map controller inputs to motors (teleop)
    pass

Develop autonomous routines incrementally: test one movement, then rotation, then chain commands. This reduces the debugging surface.

VS Code workflow (optional, recommended for teams)

Visual Studio Code with the VEX extension improves collaboration and offers better editing features. Use it if you want git integration, stronger search, and improved refactoring tools.

Install Visual Studio Code and the VEX VS Code extension (follow official extension instructions).
Clone your project into a Git repository. Use branches for separate autonomous strategies (e.g., auton-left, auton-right).
Install community typing stubs (e.g., vex-v5-python-interface) to improve IntelliSense and reduce mistyped API calls.

VS Code is optional; many teams work entirely inside the VEXcode GUI. If you use VS Code, keep your deployment process simple: test locally, then deploy to the Brain using the VEX tools.

Debugging & common fixes

Here are the most frequent issues and quick fixes to save time.

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Project won’t open	Outdated VEXcode or corrupted `.v5python` file	Update VEXcode and recreate the project; import examples to recover starter code.
Motor not responding	Port mismatch or damaged cable	Check wiring, spin motor alone, and replace cables if needed.
Sensor drift/NaN	Sensor not calibrated or poor mounting	Calibrate in `pre_auton()` and mount sensor securely to the robot frame.
Intellisense missing (VS Code)	Extension/stubs not installed	Install VEX extension and typing stubs for better autocomplete.

When stuck, revert to a minimal reproducible example: reduce code until you isolate which line causes the issue. This makes debugging far faster than guessing.

Best practices & publishing tips

Modularize: keep autonomous routines and utility functions in separate files. Import them from main.py to keep the entrypoint clean.
Document wiring: include a small wiring table in your repo README or a short paragraph in the blog that maps motor ports to names used in code.
Incremental testing: verify single actions (one motor spin, one sensor read) before combining behaviors.
Use version control: create branches for autonomous prototypes. Tag stable releases and attach a ZIP file for readers who want a quick download.
Write clear README: for every example repo include steps to run, expected behavior, and troubleshooting tips. This increases trust and reduces support questions.

Resources & internal links

Use these LogicalMantra posts to add value and strengthen internal linking on your site:

Python Deploy Application (2025) — deployment and packaging tips for Python projects.
40 Advanced Python Interview Questions — deep-dive Python topics useful for team knowledge growth.
Best AI Tools for Developers 2025 — editor assistants and code tools that improve productivity.
GitHub Copilot Alternatives — privacy-friendly code assistants for VS Code workflows.
First Programming Language to Learn in 2025 — guidance for teaching teams which language to pick.

FAQ

Can I program V5 robots entirely in Python?

Yes. VEXcode V5 supports Python and many teams prefer it for readability and rapid iteration. The official VEX Library includes example projects and API documentation.

Do I need VS Code?

No — VS Code is optional. The VEXcode GUI is sufficient for most teams, but VS Code provides better developer ergonomics and version control integration for teams that want it.

How should I publish example code?

Host a GitHub repo with separate folders for each example, a clear README, and a release ZIP. Link the repo from your blog and include step-by-step usage instructions in the README.