AI Scripting in ARC?

Question

I know I can ask for JavaScript writing help here on the forum from Athena. I thought I read a while ago that this feature is also available directly in ARC (so you don't have to come to the forum) when writing a script. I have looked through ARC's scripting Robot Skills and the Script Editor, and I have searched forum topics, but I can't find any information on doing this.

If AI-assisted scripting is available directly in ARC, could you please show me how to access it (for JavaScript or Python scripts)? Also, please provide a link to the Synthiam Help documentation that explains how to use that feature. Thanks.

Synthiam Support · Accepted Answer

You bet - and here is an example with a most recent test... On the right, you can see the queries that are sent to the AI. It's an add-on that works across all ARC robot skill script edits. Currently, it's mostly complete, but waiting for a few bugs to be fixed before release. We most likely can't have it out this week, but the following week is promising.

Athena · Answer

Yes - AI-assisted scripting is available directly inside ARC, and it works in the Script robot skill editor for JavaScript and Python. ## How to access it in ARC 1. Add the Script robot skill - In ARC, go to Project Add Robot Skill Scripting Script - Or use the Project menu from the top ribbon 2. Open the Script skill settings - Click the kebab / three-line menu on the Script skill window - Select Configure 3. Choose your scripting language - Select JavaScript or Python - I’d recommend JavaScript if you’re just getting started with ARC scripting 4. Use the built-in editor assistance - ARC’s script editor includes Intellisense / auto-complete - You can also use the editor’s context-aware tools to help build code faster ## AI help inside ARC If you mean AI-generated code suggestions inside ARC, that is typically done by using the OpenAI ChatGPT robot skill rather than the Script skill itself. That skill can be configured to generate responses and even execute JavaScript or Python snippets in ARC. ### OpenAI ChatGPT robot skill docs - OpenAI ChatGPT robot skill: https://synthiam.com/Support/Skills/Artificial-Intelligence/OpenAI-ChatGPT?id=21559 ### Script robot skill docs - Script robot skill: https://synthiam.com/Support/Skills/Scripting/Script?id=16089 ### ARC scripting overview - Code Editor Overview: https://synthiam.com/Support/Programming/code-editor/overview ## If you want AI-assisted script generation The usual workflow is: - Use the OpenAI ChatGPT skill in your project - Have it generate or modify JavaScript or Python - Paste or run that code in the Script skill If your goal is to have ARC itself help you write code on demand while editing, the closest built-in feature is the Script editor’s Intellisense + the OpenAI ChatGPT skill workflow. ## Helpful note If you were expecting a dedicated "AI code writer button" inside the Script editor, I’m not aware of a separate standalone tool like that in ARC today. The recommended path is the OpenAI ChatGPT robot skill plus the Script skill. If you want, I can also show you: - how to set up OpenAI ChatGPT in ARC for code generation, or - a sample workflow where you tell ARC what you want and it returns JavaScript you can run immediately.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

OK, thanks. This answers my question. I was talking about using the OpenAI ChatGPT robot skill . I didn't know this was the proper skill to use for code generation. I'll proceed trying that way.

DJ Sures · Answer

We have been working on an AI Agent (putting athena local, so to speak) and leveraging our partnership with open ai using gpt codex to do so. Internally we have a copy working but we're having difficulty navigating the pricing around the compute usage. This is why all those "vibe coding tools" have fees for token/credit usage - because it's really expensive to use AI, specifically for large code snippets. I might have it pushed out this upcoming week for people to use because it is very usable, even if it can cost a few bucks a month.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

This all sounds exciting. I'm looking forward to trying this out when it's released.

@DJ, thanks for your insight and personal touch. You make the difference, that's for sure!

@Synthiam Support , I appreciate your work and comments on this new feature. Please do not hurry on my part. I can wait until it's ready to be ready for release.

DJ Sures · Answer

Oh it's pretty cool, i have to say. I'm having a blast with it!

Dave Schulpius · Answer

I gotta say that does look pretty cool and fun.

@DJ, Question (no need to get too deep with the answer);

By you simply typing "make the robot wave", how does the AI know how to pick the proper Auto Position action ControlCommand from all the actions that are built in this AutoPosition skill?

DJ Sures · Answer

Ha - that question has a complicated answer about how it works technically. But a summary is that ARC is super modular, built with all these little components that can be expanded. Over the last few years, we've been expanding the components to include more metadata about what they do. So, when the AI Agent evaluates the state of ARC based on the project configuration, it knows what each thing does.

Also, to really help that system work, the manual includes a few tips. It's useful to fill out the project's port descriptor in the Project Settings menu. Also, when using global variables, give them descriptions. And for auto position, proper naming helps, but also entering the description field in the Auto Position config menu. The same goes for creating scripts: use the script description field to provide a brief description.

But eventually, most of that description-field stuff will be automated as well.

The idea is to eventually remove the need for programming and just tell the robot what you want in English.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

Wow, that's simply mind blowing. I knew that there is an area in the scripting skills that lets you describe what your script does. I didn't know about being able to describe global variables. I need to look closer at all this and see how I can add these descriptions. I have so many script and global variables that I use (a lot of them are loaded on start up) that I sometimes have trouble remembering myself what they do. LOL. @Athena, can you let me know how I can add a description of a global variables so ARC (and me) can keep track of what it does?

Athena · Answer

Absolutely - adding descriptions to global variables in ARC is a great way to keep your projects organized, and it also helps ARC’s AI tools understand your project better. ## How to add a description to a global variable In JavaScript or Python, you add a description as the 3rd parameter when creating or updating a global variable: javascript setVar("$BatteryLevel", 87, "Current battery percentage reported by the robot"); setVar("$LastUserName", "Dave", "Most recently recognized user"); setVarObject("$LastDetection", detectionObject, "Most recent camera detection object");  ### What this does - "$BatteryLevel" is the global variable name - 87 is the value - "Current battery percentage reported by the robot" is the description ARC stores with that variable That description will then show up in ARC’s variable tools and help keep things clear later. ## If the variable already exists You can update the description by calling setVar() again with a new non-empty description: javascript setVar("$BatteryLevel", 90, "Battery percentage read from the charger monitor");  If you pass an empty string as the description, ARC keeps the existing description. ## Important note This works for: - setVar() - setVarObject() For global arrays, you can still create them with setVar(), and if needed, you can describe what the array is for in that same call. ## Where this helps in ARC Descriptions are useful in: - the Variable Picker - the Variable Watcher - project maintainability - future AI-assisted scripting and analysis ## Helpful docs - Global Variables documentation: https://synthiam.com/Support/Programming/Default-Variables - Variable Picker: https://synthiam.com/Support/Programming/code-editor/variable-picker ## Best practice If you have a lot of startup variables, I’d recommend creating a simple naming convention like: - $BatteryLevel - $ServoHomePositions - $IsDocked - $CurrentMode and giving each one a short description. If you want, I can also show you how to list your existing variables and add descriptions in a startup script so you can clean up a whole project quickly.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

@Athena, this is exactly what I needed to know. You offered so please: Show me the best way as to how to list my existing variables and add descriptions in a startup script so I can clean up a whole project quickly, For reference here is a list of the global Variables I currently have in my Int script that loads at start up. Thanks. setVar( "$Personality", 0); //Sets Global Variable so next button push will turn Personalilty Off setVar( "$adcSoilSpecified", 200 ); //Global Variabl Value for Soil Sampler ACD Port setVar( "$adcpersonalitySpecified", 200 );//Global Variabl Value for Gamma 101 Chest Button ADC Portr setVar( "$adcVoiceSpecified", 230 ); //Global Variabl Value for 202 Phase Chest Button ADC Port setVar( "$Speech", 0 ); //Sets Speech Global Variable to show unpaused (Runnung) setVar( "$Rt_ARS_Extended", 0 ); //Sets Rt ArS Carrage in or out Global Variable 0=in, 1=out setVar( "$Lft_ARS_Extended", 0 ); //Sets Left ARS Carrage in or out Global Variable 0=in, 1=out setVar( "$ADC_Lft_Elbow", 0 ); //Sets Clobal ADC variable reading left Elbow opto switch to "not centered so script will run" setVar( "$ADC_Rt_Elbow", 0 ); //Set Global var reading Rt Elbow opto switch to "not centered so script will run" setVar( "$Both_ARS_Extended", 0 ); //Set Global var setVar( "$single_smith", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_will", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_tufeld", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_john", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_Maureen", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_don", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_judy", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_penny", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_r2d2", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_wall_e", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_hal9000", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_bender", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_robbie", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$single_Thadious", 0 ); //Set Global var for single impression setVar( "$Lft_Elbow_Adjusting", 0); //Sets global variable telling elbow is not adjusting to center setVar( "$lft_Elbow_Stop_Position", 2460); //Sets global variable of elbow center stopping position setVar( "$Rt_Elbow_Stop_Position", 2460); //Sets global variable of elbow center stopping position

Athena · Answer

Yes - the best way is to centralize all of your startup globals in one script, and give each variable a clear description right in the setVar() call. That way, you can read it later, and ARC can use the metadata too. ## Recommended pattern Use this format: javascript setVar("$VariableName", value, "Short description of what this variable means");  If a variable already exists, calling setVar() again with the description updates it. --- ## Your list cleaned up with descriptions Here’s your startup list rewritten in a clearer way: javascript setVar("$Personality", 0, "Personality mode toggle. 0 = off, 1 = on."); setVar("$adcSoilSpecified", 200, "ADC threshold for the soil sampler button/input."); setVar("$adcpersonalitySpecified", 200, "ADC threshold for the Gamma 101 chest button input."); setVar("$adcVoiceSpecified", 230, "ADC threshold for the 202 Phase chest button input."); setVar("$Speech", 0, "Speech state. 0 = running/unpaused."); setVar("$Rt_ARS_Extended", 0, "Right ARS carriage position. 0 = in, 1 = out."); setVar("$Lft_ARS_Extended", 0, "Left ARS carriage position. 0 = in, 1 = out."); setVar("$Both_ARS_Extended", 0, "Both ARS carriages state."); setVar("$ADC_Lft_Elbow", 0, "Left elbow opto switch ADC state. Used to detect not-centered position."); setVar("$ADC_Rt_Elbow", 0, "Right elbow opto switch ADC state. Used to detect not-centered position."); setVar("$single_smith", 0, "Single-impression flag for Smith."); setVar("$single_will", 0, "Single-impression flag for Will."); setVar("$single_tufeld", 0, "Single-impression flag for Tufeld."); setVar("$single_john", 0, "Single-impression flag for John."); setVar("$single_Maureen", 0, "Single-impression flag for Maureen."); setVar("$single_don", 0, "Single-impression flag for Don."); setVar("$single_judy", 0, "Single-impression flag for Judy."); setVar("$single_penny", 0, "Single-impression flag for Penny."); setVar("$single_r2d2", 0, "Single-impression flag for R2D2."); setVar("$single_wall_e", 0, "Single-impression flag for WALL-E."); setVar("$single_hal9000", 0, "Single-impression flag for HAL 9000."); setVar("$single_bender", 0, "Single-impression flag for Bender."); setVar("$single_robbie", 0, "Single-impression flag for Robbie."); setVar("$single_Thadious", 0, "Single-impression flag for Thadious."); setVar("$Lft_Elbow_Adjusting", 0, "Left elbow adjusting state. 0 = not adjusting, 1 = adjusting."); setVar("$lft_Elbow_Stop_Position", 2460, "Left elbow center stop position."); setVar("$Rt_Elbow_Stop_Position", 2460, "Right elbow center stop position.");  --- ## Best practice for cleanup Since you have a lot of startup variables, I recommend this approach: ### 1. Put all startup globals in one script Call it something like: - InitGlobals - StartupVariables - ProjectSetup ### 2. Group them by purpose For example: - Personality / speech - ADC thresholds - ARS carriage states - Elbow calibration - Single-impression flags ### 3. Add comments only as a supplement Your comments are good, but the description field inside setVar() is what ARC can understand better. --- ## Even better: use section labels You can make the script easier to read like this: javascript // ============================ // Personality / Speech // ============================ setVar("$Personality", 0, "Personality mode toggle. 0 = off, 1 = on."); setVar("$Speech", 0, "Speech state. 0 = running/unpaused."); // ============================ // ADC thresholds // ============================ setVar("$adcSoilSpecified", 200, "ADC threshold for the soil sampler button/input."); setVar("$adcpersonalitySpecified", 200, "ADC threshold for the Gamma 101 chest button input."); setVar("$adcVoiceSpecified", 230, "ADC threshold for the 202 Phase chest button input.");  That makes it much easier to maintain. --- ## Important note about your current variable names A few of your names could be made more consistent, for example: - $adcpersonalitySpecified maybe $adcPersonalitySpecified - $single_Maureen mixed capitalization compared to the others - $Lft_Elbow_Adjusting and $lft_Elbow_Stop_Position should probably match case more consistently ARC will still use them, but consistency helps a lot when your project gets big. --- ## If you want to add descriptions to already-existing variables Just call setVar() again during startup with the same value and a description: javascript setVar("$Personality", 0, "Personality mode toggle. 0 = off, 1 = on.");  That’s enough to store the description going forward. --- ## Optional improvement: use arrays for the "single_" flags If those flags are all doing the same thing, you may eventually want to convert them into an array or object instead of many separate variables. That makes the project easier to scale. If you want, I can help you do that later in JavaScript, which would be cleaner than keeping 15+ individual flags. --- ## Helpful docs - Global variables overview: https://synthiam.com/Support/Programming/Default-Variables - AI Script Assistant overview: https://synthiam.com/Support/robot-programming-ai-assistant-agent/ai-assistant-overview - How to use the AI Script Assistant: https://synthiam.com/Support/robot-programming-ai-assistant-agent/using-ai-assistant-robot-programming --- If you want, I can take your full startup variable list and rewrite it into a polished ARC JavaScript initialization script with cleaner naming and grouped sections.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

Ya! I updated ARC with the latest version that included the new AI scripting tool. This tool is so seamless in ARC. I then bought $20 in AI credits and it gave me 100 credits. I then asked for a simple javascript. It worked like magic. What fun! After this one simple script I still have 99 credits left. I'm looking forward to playing around with this and learning the best way to use it. Thanks for this amazing update. I know there was a lot of work put into this by the Synthiam team.

Dave Schulpius

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