# Programming a PICOw using the XRP WPI code editor?

**URL:** <https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389>\
**Category:** Robot Hardware\
**Created:** [June 12, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389 "2024-06-12T17:20:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MikeH](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/xrp.discourse.group/mikeh/32/215_2.png) [@MikeH](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/MikeH)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389/1 "2024-06-12T17:20:52Z")

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The XRP WPI code editor does not recognize a PICOw that is just a PICOw. I was hoping to use these basic units without the entire XRP circuit board for student programming practice.  
Is there a bootloader I need to flash onto my PICO’s?

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**Author:** ![Fgrossman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b77776/32.png) [@Fgrossman](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/Fgrossman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389/2 "2024-06-13T15:57:39Z")

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Can you give a little more information about what you are hoping to get from the PICOw if it is not hooked to any peripherals? It feels like just running the WPILib code in the simulator without a board might be enough. Of course the students would miss out on the excitement of seeing their code move a robot.

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**Author:** ![MikeH](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/xrp.discourse.group/mikeh/32/215_2.png) [@MikeH](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/MikeH)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389/3 "2024-06-13T17:45:48Z")

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HI Frank,  
I have been using the RaspberryPi PICO in my classes ever since it was released in 2021. We do various types of automation with small micros in my lab assignments.  
I was looking forward to having a common coding development environment with the bare PICO & the XRP Control board.  
MikeH

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**Author:** ![Fgrossman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b77776/32.png) [@Fgrossman](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/Fgrossman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/programming-a-picow-using-the-xrp-wpi-code-editor/389/4 "2024-06-13T18:06:17Z")

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Oh, I misunderstood. When you said the XRP WPI editor, I thought you were talking about the FIRST WPILib editor. It does need to be a PICOw versus just a regular PICO and it needs to have Micropython loaded on it. Other than that it should connect to it.