shimeta-py IDE

shimeta-py IDE is the Python code editor built into Workbench. Paired with the on-board shimeta-py v1.0.4 runtime, it lets you write Python code in the IDE and run it directly on the board.

What it does

shimeta-py IDE integrates a Python editor and the on-board runtime into the IDE:

  • Top buttons Run / Stop / Samples, center editor with line numbers, live output at the bottom
  • Code is pushed to the Pico-G1 over SSH and executed by the on-board shimeta-py v1.0.4
  • shimeta-py can directly access on-board hardware such as the NPU / GPIO / I2C
  • Multi-file management — create/save/switch files all inside the IDE

Best for complex script development; for quick debugging use the ch09 Agent or the ch08 Terminal.

Where to find it

Top tab → "shimeta-py IDE"

shimeta-py IDE tab — Python editor + top Run/Stop/Samples buttons + New/Save at the upper right

Interface layout

AreaContents
Top buttonsRun / shimeta-py v1.0.4 / Stop / Clear output / Samples
Upper-right buttons+ New file / Save
Center editorPython code (with line numbers)
Bottom output areash output (download/extract/install process + code run results)

shimeta-py v1.0.4 (on-board runtime)

shimeta-py v1.0.4 is preinstalled on the board — the Python runtime of the Pico-G1.

Code edited in the IDE is pushed to the board over SSH and executed by shimeta-py.

shimeta-py v1.0.4 comes preinstalled with the board firmware; no manual download needed.

Editor features

Top buttons

ButtonPurpose
RunExecute the current code on the board
shimeta-py v1.0.4Shows the on-board Python runtime version
StopTerminate the current run
Clear outputClear the output area below
SamplesLoad sample code

Upper-right buttons

ButtonPurpose
+ New fileCreate a new Python script
SaveSave the current script

Code editing

Standard Python editing features are supported:

  • Line numbers
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Auto-indent
  • Copy / paste / undo / redo

Running code

Steps

  1. Write Python code in the editor
  2. Click the top "Run" button
  3. The IDE automatically sends the code to the board over SSH
  4. The on-board shimeta-py v1.0.4 executes it
  5. Output appears in the bottom sh output area

Sample code

Click the "Samples" button to load a sample:

# ShiMetaPi IDE — GK7206 Python
import time
for i in range(5):
    print(f"step {i}")
    time.sleep(1)
print("Done!")

Output example

python-gk7206.tar.gz   99% |***********************| 19.6M 0:00:00 ETA
python-gk7206.tar.gz   99% |***********************| 19.1M 0:00:00 ETA
python-gk7206.tar.gz  100% |***********************| 19.2M 0:00:00 ETA
'/mnt/python-gk7206.tar.gz' saved
[2/2] Extracting to /mnt...

sh: write error: No space left on device
Done. Python 3.11 installed.
Run: . /mnt/python/setup.sh
       python3 -c 'print(1+1)'

The sh output area shows the whole flow: on-board Python package download → extract → install → run results.

Multi-file management

Creating a file

  1. Click "+ New file" in the upper-right corner
  2. Enter a file name (e.g. test.py)
  3. Write code in the editor
  4. Click "Save"

Files are saved under the default project of the current workspace (WORKSPACE).

Switching files

The WORKSPACE area on the left of the workspace lists all .py files of the current project; click to switch.

On-board hardware example

shimeta-py runs on the board and can access hardware directly:

# Check the NPU device file
import os
print(os.path.exists('/dev/npu.0'))

# Run a system command
import subprocess
result = subprocess.run(['uname', '-a'], capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)

# Read the temperature (if a sensor is present)
with open('/sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp') as f:
    temp = int(f.read()) / 1000
    print(f"CPU temperature: {temp}°C")

shimeta-py vs. standard Python 3

Itemshimeta-pyStandard Python 3
SourcePreinstalled with the board firmwareGeneric Python
PurposeRuns code pushed from the IDELocal execution
Board accessDirect access to NPU / GPIO / I2C on-board hardwareGeneric features

Performance reference

  • Startup latency: about 1-3 seconds (code push to the board + shimeta-py startup)
  • Run output: streamed back to the IDE output area in real time
  • Timeout: no output for 60 seconds is treated as a timeout by default

Troubleshooting

SymptomFix
Clicking "Run" does nothingBoard not connected; go back to ch02
Output shows "shimeta-py: not found"On-board firmware incomplete; contact technical support
Output shows "No space left on device"On-board disk full; clean up old files
Code runs but no outputCheck the print statements in your code
Garbled charactersCheck the IDE encoding setting; use UTF-8 in the terminal

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