Add extensions to your micro:bit

In the block language, you can use specialized instructions just for the micro:bit that are grouped into categories.  A category must be stored in a special area on your micro:bit, called the file system, before its instructions can be used in a project.  For example, the cyber:bot library archive includes several categories that will let you write micro:bit projects for your cyber:bot robot. 

You have two options: use a .hex file template that already has the extension included, or add the extension to your micro:bit project manually. 

1. How to use a .hex file template that already has the extension included: Quick Start Template for cyber:bot Robots using Online Makecode Editor (below)  
2. How to add the extension to your project manually: Adding an Extension to micro:bit Project (also below)

Quick Start Template for cyber:bot Robots Using Online Makecode editor

Here is a template shortcut if you are using the online makecode.microbit.org editor and just need to get started with the cyber:bot robot quickly. Download the template below, open it with the Makecode online editor, and start coding. It already has the cyber:bot extension added to its project settings, so you can immediately use its instructions in your projects.

• Right-click the hex link below, choose Save link as…, and then save the file to your computer.

Cyberbot-template-with-blink.hex 

As written, this project will make the P21 light blink.  Let’s try this to make sure the cyber:bot system is ready:

• In a browser, go to the micro:bit Makecode Editor.
• Click the micro:bit Makecode Editor’s import button.
• Choose the Import File… option then click Choose File.
• Browse to and open cyberbot_template_with_blink.hex (it’s usually in the Downloads folder).
• Make sure that:
  • The micro:bit is connected to the cyber:bot board. 
  • The 5AA battery pack is plugged into the cyber:bot board.
  • The micro:bit is connected to a computer with the USB cable.
  • The cyber:bot board’s PWR switch to 2 to power all features, or to 1 to power everything but the servo ports (this keeps the robot from running away while downloading code). The project won’t run if PWR is set to 0.
• Click the Download button, and follow the Connect to micro:bit popups.  (For robot navigation apps, you’d be disconnecting the USB cable after this step.)
• Verify that the P21 light blinks.

The cyberbot_template_with_blink.hex file is a good one to open/duplicate every time you start on a new cyber:bot project.  Just delete the default project and replace it with whatever cyber:bot project you are working on.  Make sure to update the project name before you save your work.  (See Save & Edit Scripts.)  When you reopen the file later with the micro:bit MakeCode Editor, it will still have the extension(s) it needs and be ready for the cyber:bot to run.  That way, you won’t have to repeat all the steps in the Adding an Extension to the micro:bit Filesystem section every time.

Adding an Extension to micro:bit Project

Watch the following video and follow along with these instructions for adding an extension to your project. The cyber:bot extension is used as an example. Follow along with your own computer and micro:bit.

• Open a browser and navigate to makecode.microbit.org.
• Open a new project and name it cyberbot_template.
• Press the gray +Extensions button.
• Type cyberbot into the extensions search bar and press enter.
• Click on the extension shown below.

• You should now see the cyberbot category in between the Led and Radio categories.
• You can now duplicate this project and rename it for any project with which you want to use the cyberbot blocks.