Physical computing and robotics for young learners with the micro:bit V2 (no tablet/laptop/desktop required):

• arcade shields for the micro:bit V2 enable “on the go” programming with familiar game console controls
• kid-friendly, icon-based, structured code editor and programming language
• lots of sample programs to get started
• translated in 20+ languages
• remote control a micro:bit robot using MicroCode to follow lines, avoid obstacles and more.
• extend and program your creation with Jacdac accessories (LEDs, servos, …)

Getting started

Regardless of whether you are using the Arcade shield or web app, you first need to download the (localized) MicroCode hex file to your micro:bit V2. There are two ways to do this:

1. visit the web app and follow directions to connect your micro:bit and automatically download over WebUSB
2. visit the localization section to download the MicroCode hex file to your computer and copy to your micro:bit V2 (plugged into your computer via USB).

Arcade shields

Three Arcade shields for the micro:bit V2 are available on the market today, as shown below. After downloading the MicroCode hex file to your micro:bit V2, whenever you plug the micro:bit into the Arcade Shield, MicroCode should start running. Your MicroCode program is always live and runnable. Once you remove the micro:bit from the shield, the program will persist and continue to run (assuming the micro:bit is still powered, of course).

Kittenbot's newbit Arcade shield	ELECFREAK's micro:bit Arcade shield	ICShopping's Game:bit Arcade shield
Small screen. No battery or battery pack included. 3.7V JST power jack on back. One Jacdac port.	Assembly required. Small screen. AAA Battery pack on back. One Jacdac port.	No assembly required. Large screen and 3d-printed enclosure with LiPo battery inside. Two Jacdac ports.

micro:bit Robots

Remote control a micro:bit robot using MicroCode to follow lines, avoid obstacles and more.

Accessories

MicroCode supports accessories to extend the micro:bit device with LEDs, servos, motors, … In this video, we launch an LED animation when a clap is detected. The accessories are powered by Jacdac.

Localization

MicroCode is community translated through Crowdin. Please read on localization to get started.

• Basque (download)
• Catalan (download)
• Chinese (Simplified) (download)
• Chinese (Traditional)) (download)
• Croatian (download)
• Dutch (download)
• English (download)
• German (download)
• Filipino (download)
• French (download)
• French (Canada) (download)
• Italian (download)
• Japanese (download)
• Korean (download)
• Polish (download)
• Portuguese (Brazil) (download)
• Russian (download)
• Spanish (download)
• Spanish (Mexico) (download)
• Turkish (download)
• Welsh (download)

Web editor

The MicroCode web editor is at aka.ms/microcode. We recommend using the keyboard navigation:

• Left, Right, Up, Down moves the cursor
  • the Left and Right keys will wrap around in the editor on the same page
  • the Up key on top of the screen will act as back. It will go back the pages until page 1 is in focus, then pressing up will go back to the start screen.
  • the Down key will wrap around the pages
• Enter or Space for A button
• Backspace for B button
• ] or Page Up to go to the next page, [ or Page Down to go to the previous page
• Copy the URL to share your program.

Automatic download to micro:bit V2

When the editor does not detect any micro:bit, it will automatically prompt you with instructions on how to connect. Once your micro:bit V2 is paired, the web editor will be able to download your MicroCode program to your micro:bit. This happens on every edit, so your program is always up-to-date (and running)!

If your micro:bit disconnects, you will see a micro:bit icon show up on the upper left corner of the editor. Click on that button to reconnect again.

Accessibility

We want to make the editor as accessible as possible; please send us suggestions to improve its accessibility.

Keyboard navigation

MicroCode can be accessed with the keyboard:

• Arrow keys to move cursor
• Enter or Space for A button
• Backspace for B button
• Keep moving the cursor Up to go back a screen, if Backspace is not available; for example, if you are using a 5-input switch panel.
• Keep moving Right or Left to wrap around the user interface; for example, if you are using a 2-input switch panel.

Gamepads

MicroCode supports game console controllers compatible with Web Gamepad.

Screen reader

The editor integrates with existing screen readers, like NVDA.

Tooltip read aloud

By clicking on the tooltip reader button at the bottom of the editor, the tooltips will be read aloud. This may be useful for students who are still learning to read.

Program slots

There are three slots for saving user programs for later load/restore. From the editor, click on the disk icon in the upper left to select which slot to save the current program to. From the home screen, select the disk icon to load a program from one of the three save slots.

Community

• KittenBot MicroCode introduction

• Microsoft Garage for kick starting this project during the 2022 Microsoft Hackathon.
• @loretod101 on advising on accessibility features, including switch access support.
• @BillSeiver on feedback for tiles, including the page start tile
• @eliseli_ for the Spanish translation

Contributing

• Post your suggestions or questions at https://forum.makecode.com/c/60.

This project is open source and welcomes contributions and suggestions at https://github.com/microsoft/microcode. Read the developer instructions.