MARSLib VS Code Extension

The MARSLib VS Code Extension is your primary engine for Discovery and Innovation in the MARS development ecosystem. While standard FRC projects rely on generic tools, MARSLib use this bespoke extension to empower every student to innovate—automating redundant boilerplate so you can focus on the creative persistence of high-level robotics engineering.

1 Key Features

Project Lifecycle Management: Integrated sidebar buttons for Building, Deploying, and Simulating your code securely.
AdvantageKit Scaffolding: Instantly generate the 4-file IO layer (Interface, Real, Sim, and Subsystem) for new mechanisms using the built-in wizard.
Architectural Audits (ProjectDoctor): Runs real-time checks to ensure your code follows “Zero-Allocation” rules and thread-safe practices.
Hardware Topology & CAN Map: Dedicated views for visualizing your CAN bus structure to proactively catch ID conflicts.
Dynamic Diagnostics: Spin up the Virtual Dashboard, parse Deploy History, or rapidly open your latest log in AdvantageScope.

2 Installation

The extension is currently distributed as a .vsix package for internal team use.

Download: Navigate to the MARSLib VS Code Releases page.
Select Version: Click on the latest release and download the .vsix file from the Assets section.
Open Extensions: In VS Code, press Ctrl + Shift + X to open the Extensions view.
Install from VSIX: .
- Click the Views and More Actions menu (the three dots ...) in the top-right corner of the Extensions panel.
- Select Install from VSIX….
- Choose the downloaded .vsix file.
Verify: Once installed, a MARS icon will appear in your Activity Bar (the vertical sidebar on the left).

3 The Control Center

Click the MARS icon in the Activity Bar to open the MARSLib Control Center. The sidebar is categorized into multiple dynamic views designed to streamline your development process.

Commands View

Build Robot: Compiles the project using our optimized Gradle toolchains.
Deploy Robot: Securely pushes the compiled code to the RoboRIO.
Simulate Robot: Launches the 2D physics simulation.
Sim + AdvantageScope: Boots simulation and immediately links telemetry visually.
Setup Environment: Downloads core FRC libraries and configures Git hooks automatically.
Generate Subsystem: Opens a wizard to scaffold a new AdvantageKit-ready mechanism.
Generate Physics Test: Sets up a JUnit template for deterministic subsystem simulation validation.
Run Audit: Validates the entire codebase against Elite Coding Standards.
Open Virtual Dashboard: Boots the diagnostic dashboard locally.
Open Command Binder: Visualize your active controller bindings and triggers.

CAN IDs View

Visualizes your robot’s CAN topology. Provides a dedicated interface to inspect assigned network IDs, helping you prevent CAN-ID overlapping which could result in bricked motors on the field. You can refresh this view at any time with the Refresh CAN IDs button.

PathPlanner View

Tightly integrated with PathPlanner JSONs, allowing you to instantly visualize paths or track trajectory errors directly within your VS Code development pane.

Deploy History

Keeps a persistent record of the hashes and build artifacts deployed to your robots. Ideal for answering, “Wait, which commit is currently running on the robot?”