| name | arduino-app-lab |
| description | Arduino App Lab — the unified editor for the Uno Q that builds and runs projects on both the MPU and MCU at once. Read this when the user asks about App Lab, Bricks, Apps, deploying a project, "Run" button workflow, or how Python+sketch projects are structured. Sensai itself is a Sensai-customized alternative entry point, but understanding App Lab is essential context. |
Arduino App Lab on the Uno Q
App Lab is Arduino's unified development environment for the Uno Q. It builds and runs Apps — projects that span both the Linux MPU side (Python) and the Arduino MCU side (sketch). Apps can also include Bricks — pre-packaged services (AI models, web UIs, REST API clients) that drop into a project.
Anatomy of an App
my-app/
├── main.py ← Python code, runs on the Linux MPU
├── sketch.ino ← Arduino code, runs on the STM32U585 MCU
└── bricks/ ← optional pre-packaged services
└── speech-to-text/
└── ...
When the student presses Run:
- App Lab cross-compiles the
.ino for arduino:zephyr:unoq.
- It flashes the MCU via the same OpenOCD path Sensai uses (sketch partition
0x8100000).
- It launches
main.py on the Linux side.
- Any Bricks listed in the project are started as Linux services alongside the Python program.
- Bridge initializes on both sides and the App is live.
Where Sensai fits
| Tool | Strength | When to use |
|---|
| Sensai (agentic path) | Natural language → code; quick "write a sketch and flash it" loop without leaving the chat | Ad-hoc experiments, classroom Q&A, "make the LED do X" prompts |
| Sensai (direct path) | Fast factual Q&A about the board | Reference lookups, voltage rules, pinouts |
| App Lab | Full IDE; multi-file projects; Brick management; debugging | Real projects that combine sketch + Python + Bricks |
Sensai can write a sketch and flash it via the arduino tool. It does not currently package Apps or manage Bricks — for those workflows, the student opens App Lab and copies Sensai's output in.
When to use App Lab vs Sensai
| Lesson scenario | Tool |
|---|
| "Blink D9 every second" | Sensai (agentic) — single sketch, no Python |
| "Read A0 from a Python script via Bridge" | App Lab — multi-file App with sketch + main.py |
| "Run a face-detection model and move a servo" | App Lab — needs a vision Brick + Python + sketch |
| "Which pins are PWM-capable?" | Sensai (direct) — factual lookup |
| "Walk me through writing my first Bridge project" | Either — Sensai for the code, App Lab to actually deploy as a multi-file App |
Reference files
references/bricks.md — what Bricks are, where they come from, how to use them.references/deploy.md — the full Run-button workflow and the three console tabs (Start-up, Main, Sketch).
Pitfalls
- Treating Sensai as a replacement for App Lab. Sensai is great for code generation and answering questions. App Lab is the proper home for multi-file projects, Bricks, and deployment.
- Editing
~/.picoclaw/workspace/ and expecting App Lab to see it. Those are Sensai's workspace files (SOUL.md, skills, sessions), not App Lab Apps. App Lab Apps live wherever you save them in App Lab.
- Confusing a Brick with an Arduino library. Bricks are Linux-side services managed by App Lab. Arduino libraries (
.h files) are MCU code included with #include. They serve different sides of the dual-chip architecture.
See also
bridge/SKILL.md — Bridge is what connects the App's two sides.sketch-patterns/references/upload.md — how Sensai uploads sketches, which is the same OpenOCD path App Lab uses.
