Environment

The required configuration environment for developing plugins using this toolkit includes NodeJs and Pnpm.

Operating System

It is recommended to develop on Windows 10 or later systems.

Feature	Windows	Mac OS	Linux
Initialize Plugin Template	✅	✅	✅
Develop Plugin Interface	✅	✅	✅
Package Plugin Interface	✅	✅	✅
Web GUI Tool: Translation Tool	✅	✅	✅
Web GUI Tool: Block Preview and Edit	✅	✅	✅
Web GUI Tool: Lua Script Configuration	✅	✅	✅
Lua Code Check	✅	✅	❓
Lua Script Simulation	✅	❓	❓

✅ indicates the feature is supported. ❓ indicates the feature is limited and may encounter compilation issues.

Node.js

This toolkit is developed based on NodeJS version 20.13.1. Please install NodeJS version 20 or above for development.
You can check the node version by running the following command in the terminal:

node -v

Pnpm

This toolkit uses pnpm to manage monorepo dependencies. Compared with npm / yarn, pnpm shares dependencies via hard links for faster installs and lower disk usage. It is also the default package manager when the CLI initializes a plugin template.

After installing Node.js, run:

npm install -g pnpm

You can check the pnpm version by running the following command in the terminal:

pnpm -v

AI-Assisted Development

AI-powered IDEs let developers generate plugin code quickly through Agent chat, Requirements.md, and Skills (such as /dobot-plus), shortening the path from protocol documentation to a runnable plugin. The IDEs below are all based on the VS Code core and support the same extension ecosystem.

Priority	IDE	Notes
1	Cursor	Recommended; mature Agent Skills ecosystem and strong AI Agent capabilities
2	Trae	Alternative; good access in China with multiple free built-in AI models
3	VSCode	Traditional development without AI assistance, or when you prefer manual coding

The sections below cover installation for Cursor and Trae. VSCode installation and recommended extensions are described later.

Cursor

Cursor is an AI-powered IDE based on VS Code. Its interface and extension ecosystem are similar to VS Code, making it well suited for locally developing Dobot+ plugins with AI Agents (for example, turning Requirements.md into functional code via Agent Skills).

Download and install:

1. Open the Cursor website and download the installer for your operating system
2. Follow the installation wizard, then launch Cursor
3. Use File → Open Folder to open your plugin project directory

Sign in when prompted on first use. For Lua, i18n, and similar workflows, install the same recommended extensions as VS Code (see the VSCode section below) for code completion, linting, and translation support.

Trae

Trae is an AI-powered IDE from ByteDance, also built on the VS Code core with support for the VS Code extension marketplace. Developers in mainland China are recommended to use Trae CN (trae.cn); developers outside China can use Trae International (trae.ai). Accounts and built-in models are separate between the two versions—choose the one that fits your region.

Download and install (Trae CN example):

1. Open the Trae website and download the installer for your platform (Windows / macOS supported)
2. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
3. On first launch, choose your language and theme, then register and sign in with your phone number
4. Optional: import existing extensions, themes, and keybindings from VS Code or Cursor in Settings
5. Use File → Open Folder to open your plugin project directory

Trae includes AI modes such as Builder and Chat for code completion, Q&A, and project scaffolding. When using AI to develop Dobot+ plugins, provide Requirements.md at the project root as context so the AI can help generate Lua, UI, and other code. The full one-shot /dobot-plus Agent Skill workflow is currently best supported on Cursor. For Lua, i18n, and similar workflows, install the recommended extensions listed in the VSCode section below.

VSCode

Developers can choose their preferred IDE based on their habits. VSCode is recommended for local development.
During development, this tool uses some VSCode extensions to improve development efficiency. When using VSCode, corresponding suggestion pop-ups will appear.
It is recommended that developers install the VSCode recommended extensions when developing with VSCode.

• lua

  • This extension is the first choice for debugging and developing lua, featuring code inspection, auto-completion, and code hints.

• lua-helper

  • A lua development tool developed with GO, which provides code checking, completion, hints, and formatting.
  • Stable functionality.

• i18n

  • Provides a visual translation resource editing tool in VSCode.
  • Can translate text with one click when online.
  • Allows previewing text within components.