RIDE (Robot Framework IDE) v2.0rc1 is a new release with major enhancements and bug fixes. This version v2.0rc1 includes removal of Python 2.7 support. The reference for valid arguments is Robot Framework installed version, which is at this moment 6.0.2. However, internal library is based on version 3.1.2, to keep compatibility with old formats.

- This is the first version without support for Python 2.7.
- The last version with support for Python 2.7 was 1.7.4.2.
- Support for Python 3.6 up to 3.10 (current version on this date).
- There are some important changes, or known issues:
  - On MacOS to call autocomplete in Grid and Text Editors, you have to use Alt-Space (not Command-Space).
  - On Linux and Windows to call autocomplete in Grid and Text Editors, you have to use Ctrl-Space.
  - On Text Editor the TAB key adds the defined number of spaces. With Shift moves to the left, and together with Control selects text.
  - Text Editor also accepts the old : FOR loop structure, but recommended is FOR and END.
  - On Grid Editor and Linux the auto enclose is only working on cell selection, but not on cell content edit.
  - On Text Editor when Saving the selection of tests in Test Suites (Tree) is cleared.
  - Test Suite with ** Comments **** can be edited but newlines are introduced.
  - Some argument types detection (and colorization) is not correct in Grid Editor.
  - RIDE DOES NOT KEEP Test Suites formatting or structure, causing differences in files when used on other IDE or Editors.

New Features and Fixes Highlights

- Auto enclose text in {}, [], "", ''
- Auto indent in Text Editor on new lines
- Block indent in Text Editor (TAB on block of selected text)
- Ctrl-number with number, 1-5 also working on Text Editor:
  1. create scalar variable
  2. create list variable
  3. Comment line (with Shift comment content with #)
  4. Uncomment line (with Shift uncomment content with #)
  5. create dictionary variable
- Persistence of the position and state of detached panels, File Explorer and Test Suites
- File Explorer and Test Suites panels are now Plugins and can be disabled or enabled and made Visible with F11 ( Test Suites with F12, but disabled for now)
- File Explorer now shows selected file when RIDE starts
- Block comment and uncomment on both Grid and Text editors
- Extensive color customization of panel elements via Tools>Preferences
- Color use on Console and Messages Log panels on Test Run tab
- In Text Editor the same commands as in Grid Editor are now supported: Move Up/Down Rows, Insert or Delete Rows and Insert or Delete 'Cells'

We hope to implement or complete features and make fixes on next version 2.1 (in the end of 2023).

The minimal wxPython version is, 4.0.7, and RIDE supports the current version, 4.2.0.

Linux users are advised to install first wxPython from .whl package at wxPython.org.

The CHANGELOG.adoc lists the changes done on the different versions.

All issues targeted for RIDE v2.0 can be found from the issue tracker milestone.

Questions and comments related to the release can be sent to the robotframework-users mailing list or to the channel #ride on Robot Framework Slack, and possible bugs submitted to the issue tracker. You should see Robot Framework Forum if your problem is already known.

If you have pip installed, just run

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 94)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       pip install --pre --upgrade robotframework-ride==2.0rc1

to install this RELEASE CANDIDATE release, and for the final release use

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 101)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       pip install --upgrade robotframework-ride

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 105)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       pip install robotframework-ride==2.0

to install exactly the final version. Alternatively you can download the source distribution from PyPI and install it manually. For more details and other installation approaches, see the installation instructions. If you want to help in the development of RIDE, by reporting issues in current development version, you can install with:

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 118)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       pip install -U https://github.com/robotframework/RIDE/archive/master.zip

Important document for helping with development is the CONTRIBUTING.adoc.

See the FAQ for important info about : FOR changes and other known issues and workarounds.

A possible way to start RIDE is:

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 131)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       python -m robotide.__init__

You can then go to Tools>Create RIDE Desktop Shortcut, or run the shortcut creation script with:

System Message: WARNING/2 (`../doc/releasenotes/ride-2.0rc1.rst`, line 138)

Cannot analyze code. No Pygments lexer found for "literal-block".

    .. code:: literal-block

       python -m robotide.postinstall -install

RIDE v2.0rc1 was released on 26/Feb/2023.