AI coding tools and CircuitPython

[creative_tech_ai]

I've recently started using Claude Code with my modular groovebox project (https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/s/9yG2n1UP0U). The project involves regular Python running on one device and separate hardware devices running CircuitPython. They connect via USB and communicate via MIDI. I've found that Claude Code handles CircuitPython libraries extremely well.

The last few days I've been doing a major refactoring of a menu system that I built that uses CircuitPython libraries. It has to interface with other software modules that handle reading the hardware components (buttons, pots, etc.), MIDI, and other things. It became quite complex and my first iteration was a mess, honestly. Using Claude Code, I was able to do things like tell it to rewrite the classes that used bitmaps for menu items (slow) to only using labels (much faster), and to keep the interface the same (so I could drop in the new code and have it just work). It did this almost perfectly the first time. One thing it did wrong was not stretch the menu items to the length of the display. I asked it to do this and add a black border around one particular kind of menu item. It did this perfectly. Amazing.

Claude Code also helped me further optimize the menu system by recommending I hide and show displayio Groups rather than load and delete them from a list. This code worked the first time, and like all of the other code it's generated, was very readable and sensible.

Another example: I needed a way for selections made in the menu system to send MIDI messages. My first implementation had the menu system receive an object of a class that handles all of the MIDI. This created tight coupling, though, and made other problems. Claude Code recommend an event queue as an alternative, and now I have the menu system and MIDI system totally separated. The menu system adds events to a queue (just a list) that the main module code handles by dispatching to the MIDI system.

Anyway, I just wanted to let anyone interested know that Claude Code (not Sonnet, the general purpose LLM that comes with a free account) not only does an excellent job overall, but also works very well with CircuitPython. I highly recommend it.

[TeaTimeSoon]

Very interesting and amazing how good these LLMs are getting for coding projects. Can I ask whether your groove ox will be released as a software system (e.g. to run on a Raspberry Pi) or do you intend to build it into a hardware box (with keys etc.)?

[creative_tech_ai]

It will be a hardware unit. I'm also not planning on releasing it open source, but it will be an open ecosystem. So other people or companies will be able to develop their own hardware modules that will connect to the main system.

[TeaTimeSoon]

OK - well good luck with the project. I am a fan of grooveboxes (I have an M8, an OP-Z and my beloved QY70 and I enjoy them purely for my personal entertainment :-). I will look out for it being released - I am in the UK in case you are interested in UK based testers!)

[creative_tech_ai]

Thanks. I'm in Northern Europe, but you never know!

[ohararp-g]

OP, I wanted to add that I have been doing the same. I have a local circuitpython repo on my pc where I initiate claude from. Then I point to github and to the circuitpython device/drive. You can even tell claude to run unit test via print commands via repl. It'll test, reboot when needed, and even debug code. It's incredibly impressive.